I'm open!

This made me laugh. I then sent it to Paul who laughed for about five minutes.

from www.icanhascheezburger.com, a website I spend too much time on. I don't like cats, but there's something about the little critters speaking like humans (just with bad grammar and spelling) that makes them funny.

Another favourite of mine


Ruairi

Roy Keane on the Thierry Henry handball controversy

Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane speaking this morning...



Paul

The Handball seen around the world...

... but not by the linesman or referee.

Even looking at that picture makes me angry.



Skills there a Gaelic footballer would be proud of.

Ruairi

Dougie Howlett supports the Boys in Green

Munster's Doug Howlett told RedFM today that he'll be watching the Republic of Ireland in action against France tonight in their World Cup play-off.



Paul

Aviva Stadium taking shape

Paul

"He's your best chance!"

You can see how highly Raymond Domenech is thought of in France, when sports daily L'Equipe dedicates their front page to him and how he's Ireland's best chance of winning.

This was published before the Croke Park game, but I'd imagine the vast majority of French fans still feel the same. They can't stand the man. I think he's brilliant though. What a hero.

Can Ireland win tonight? I'm not entirely sure to be honest. I can't imagine the game plan is going to change all too much from Saturday's game, which means sitting back, keep it tight, and try to nick one.

However, I don't think that's going to work in Paris. I reckon France are going to come out and attack from the off, to get the goal that will kill the tie off.

It's going to be a fascinating 90 minutes (maybe 120 minutes??) of football tonight, and I can't wait to watch it.

Ruairi

Pauls Naked

Geddit? It's like "balls naked", only it's Paul's name, Paul. Brilliant stuff there from the Hagan.

Anyway, on yesterday's show, Paul and I were dismissing Ireland's chances of qualifying for the World Cup. They are, after all, a goal down heading to Paris. Not an easy task for the best of teams, let alone a team with no bench, no plan B, no creativity and Robbie Keane falling on his ass every four seconds on average, hands in the air shouting at the referee instead of actually trying to play football.

A listener sent a text in to say that we shouldn't be so negative, to which Paul responded that if Ireland qualify for the World Cup, then he would run down Patrick's Street in the nip.

While I REALLY want Ireland to qualify for South Africa, the sight of Paul running bare assed through our beautiful city's main street is making me regurgitate my cornflakes.

So will Paul actually do it? Trapp and the boys have to qualify first (a very tall fecking order, to be honest). And even IF we do qualify, will Paul have the liathróidí to strip off and run down Pana?

We shall see.



Ruairi

Ouch.

A double knock down. You don't see that much these days.

Ruairi

Ireland vs France, the RedFM version

I wore a France jersey in to work today to piss off Paul. And it worked.

"The f**k you doing in a France jersey" he offered by way of "hello" when he came into the office today.

Outstanding.

I want Ireland to win obviously. Come on you boys in green, etc.



Ruairi

Beast a bogus Bok?

Confusion surrounds the international future of South African prop Tendai Mtawarira after it emerged he may not actually be eligible to play for the Springboks.

‘The Beast’ was born and raised in Zimbabwe and played youth rugby for the nation before joining the South African domestic system with Natal Sharks. Mtawarira made his Springboks debut last year, supposedly gaining eligibility through residency criteria.

But South Africa’s sports ministry has issued a statement questioning the South African Rugby Union’s decision to play him as he is not a citizen of the country. SARU did not comment on the situation, instead quoting their own statement from last week which said Mtawarira had been cleared to tour following discussions with the ministry.

The ministry’s statement read: "We must state up front our admiration for the gifted Zimbabwean prop forward. But just like he must obey the rules of rugby on the field, he must comply with the laws of South Africa in life here on our land, like all of us.

"According to the President as well as the CEO of the SARU, ‘The Beast’ is not a citizen of South Africa. He does not even have a permit for permanent residence in South Africa."

Paul

Brian Cowen backing the Boys in Green

Here's Taoiseach Brian Cowen's in-depth analysis on tomorrow night's World Cup play-off.



Paul

Fermoy's French connection

French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac has a real fondness for Croke Park.

The Toulouse striker, who is in line to start tomorrow night's World Cup play-off provided he recovers from injury, admits he is no stranger to the Dublin venue.

Gignac spent time in Ireland as a youngster and fell in love with Gaelic football.

"When I was younger, I went to Ireland in summer camp at Fermoy, close to Cork. There, I discovered Gaelic Football," said Gignac.

"Croke Park is a wonderful stadium. It is fantastic to play there for World Cup qualification. Indeed, that match is maybe the most important moment of my whole career.

"You don't know what the future will be. World Cup qualification is an opportunity you could have just once in your whole career. When I am in French team, I am learning every day and from everyone. During training sessions, I am watching Thierry Henry work very closely."

Paul