Surely the most important piece of insider news we learned this week was that the Ireland women's rugby team sang a song from a children's movie (Frozen's Let It Go, and, yes, it is aimed at children) before going out to beat New Zealand in the rugby World Cup.
So, being a serious column, we thought we’d suggest some other well-known songs from children’s movies that the teams remaining in the 2014 All-Ireland football championship might consider singing prior to the upcoming semi-finals (Kerry v Mayo and Dublin v Donegal).
Dublin
"Everything is awesome,
Everything is cool when you're part of a team,
Everything is awesome,
When we're living our dream,
Everything is better when we stick together,
Side by side,
You and I,
Gonna win forever,
Let's party forever."
– The Lego Movie, Everything is Awesome
Donegal
"Taming the tides, swarming the seas, beware barracudas, drop to your knee,
Defending our friends and anemones, as big as a whale (but with a much smaller tail),
Facing the foe with our fearless flukes, daring the dastards to put up their dukes
Great globs of gore, we'll storm the shore, and seek the unknown, then can we go home?"
– The Little Mermaid, Tip and Dash
Kerry
"I've made me a fortune,
That fortune made 10, been headlined and profiled again and again,
But something was missing, I never quite knew, that something was someone – but who?
My speeches are greeted with thunderous acclaim, with two universities bearing my name,
But something was missing each time I got through, that something was someone but who?"
– Annie, Something was missing
Mayo
"I've got the keys to the Kingdom, the world is open wide,
So I'll just have to walk right up and see what's inside,
I've got the keys to the Kingdom, and soon, they will see,
They gave them to the right one, to me."
– Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow your dreams, Keys to the Kingdom
Betting after the weekend’s games
2014 All-Ireland SFC
Dublin 1/4
Mayo 7/1
Kerry 9/1
Donegal 10/1
2014 All-Ireland SHC
Kilkenny 4/6
Cork 3/1
Tipperary 3/1
TONGUE-TIED
Armagh’s “media ban” was obviously ridiculous. As was manager Paul Grimley’s suggestion at the weekend that “Croke Park regulates the media from here on in”.
Croke Park should certainly get involved though.
Most sports organisations have long woken up to the huge potential that the media offers for promotion of their games.
Look at rugby – media briefings, press conferences, extended, reduced and match- day squad announcements.
Look at the GAA – dummy teams announced at 11pm at night. Other than that, a motto that is essentially, “whatever you say, say nothing”.
To be fair to Armagh’s Aaron Findon, who pushed Donegal team doctor Kevin Moran over on Saturday at Croke Park, the word is he misheard Grimley’s call for a “media ban”.
He thought he had said “medical ban”.
THEY SAID THAT? TWITTER TWADDLE
Joseph Barton @Joey7Barton
Watching this GAA some pace and intensity to the game . . . DUBvMON #skysports3
Steven McDonnell @Killeavy13
There is no doubt that the remaining 4 teams in the championship are the best out there. Dublin are the best, but any one of them can win Sam
Mark McHugh @MarkMcHugh1
Semi final here we come!! Never as nervous in my life. just figured I can't watch games! But well done lads. #DunNanGallAbu
Ronan O'Gara @RonanOGara10
13/16 finals. Incredible #standards
Ollie Canning @OllieCanning
Well done @KilkennyCLG - great win in terrible conditions. Huge heart from @LimerickCLG. Enjoyed today in Croke Park @SkySportsGAA #GAA
Diarmuid O'Sullivan @dsully3
Semi-finals are for winning no matter how you do it ! #kkvlim
Lee Keegan @leeroykeegan
Hurling keeps producing the big games great battle in brutal conditions no team deserved to lose #KilkennyVLimerick #gaa
Jason Sherlock @boomjayo
Cue the no footballers in Kilkenny tweets #greatfinish #gaa
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
This came in the form of a text message last Friday to a wrong number.
"Noel, would you be free to ref a game in Ratheniska Sun morn at 11am. IH challenge Park Ratheniska v Castletown. Jack Nolan"
The reply?
"Sorry u must have wrong no, I'm a 63-year-old granny, but if ur still stuck I'll give it a go"
Class.
