Phil1870

Decent game with Mayo again pushing Dublin very close, not many doing that repeatedly in recent years. Up the Dubs.

Woeful match but particularly from FCN, only pushed forward when Frankfurt scored. Looked capable of troubling them in the last twenty minutes so no idea why they tried to be so negative? Theres negative and then how they played. Frankfurt will need to strengthen in the summer as well mind, not a lot of quality in that squad.

Not sure what PR nonsense this is really, what exactly do Liverpool do thats different to other top clubs in England?

Give it a go, its definitely an option thats worth exploring. Theres charities also that specialise in these things where it doesn't have to cost you a fortune either. Thats been of great benefit to me. Just to be in an environment where you're one on one and you get all your thoughts, worries and tears out is a comforting feeling.

Have you considered counselling at all? I've been seeing one for the past 7-8 months and its been a great help to me. The guy I've seen has helped me go from the wreck I was to the guy I am now, one whos still having bad days but is also having more regular good days. I'd highly recommend it. Just to get a professionals opinion on your issues, they seem to have a way of helping you sort out your issues by making you see things in order.

Its the one year anniversary for me tomorrow of when I had to get away from Ireland, I'd broken down and paid €300 for a taxi to get me from Dublin to Belfast, I just needed to get on the boat and get back to Scotland. At that time I would never have believed there was a way out from my anguish. I spent many days crying for hours on end. Even to picture my sons face in my mind caused me to lose control of my emotions. I couldn't imagine getting to a stage where I felt I was getting myself back, the real me. But I am making progress, I'm now starting to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. All I'm meaning is that I know where your mind is at mate, I was there myself only a few months back. But it will get better. How have things been today with your friends?

I was destroyed as well mate, I felt as though there was nothing left of ME, I'd been manipulated and controlled for so long. But like you I loved my partner, and its taking me a long time to deal with my issues. I've found talking to be my greatest help, with family and close friends. I'm sure I'll have covered the same ground many a time in these conversations, but its important to remember that these people care about you and will be glad to lend an ear if it helps ease the burden on you. Speaking to people and getting things off your chest, it helps you to work through things in your mind. My journeys not complete but I'm in far better than I was when the break-up happened, I was destroyed and had no confidence in myself to turn it round. But I feel I'm starting to. And my greatest aid has simply been to talk, getting things out and working through them.

My depression has been caused by a traumatic break-up as well and I've had similar issues as yourself. I wont try and paint myself as having all the answers as I think everybody is different inside and we all have different ways of dealing with things and coping with our hurt. But talking is important. Have you tried to share how you're feeling, and where your head currently is with your friends and family? Maybe if you could they would perhaps have a better understanding of your current state of mind. I'm sure helping you is all any of them really want.

When you feel low its very hard to rise above the gloom, I know exactly how you feel. Fathers Day has been another horrible thing for me to get through. Has there been any particular cause for your low feeling lately?

Its a thought I've had, I'm making steps to improve my qualifications with the ultimate aim of bettering my career prospects. The trouble I'd have at this moment is the jobs I'd be likely to get wouldn't allow for me to live there with the cost of letting or buying. If I can beat my demons then its definitely a possibility, I miss the place terribly and feel under different circumstances I could have settled there for life.

Thanks for the feedback mate. Its kind of up and down with contact with my son, I'm trying to get over to see him as much as I possibly can but I know it'll never be an easy situation. I am doing ok now in many ways, when I think back to the place I was in when I left Ireland I can't quite believe I'm still here in some ways, I was badly broken up. Feel very lonely at times, difficult to cope with that feeling. Just taking my life a day at a time, trying to look to the future and not backwards.

Cheers Snudge. The problem I'm having is getting beyond things. It destroyed me when things didn't work out, I'd put so much into the relationship and wanted it to work out more than anything. Moving on seems impossible when I loved her the way I did. I feel in many ways I'm starting to get my life together which may help. But its hard to let go, even when my mental health has been so badly affected.

First time I've posted on this thread despite having browsed it for a good few months. I've been dealing with the aftermath of a horrible and heartbreaking break-up. The relationship had been 5 years, we had a wee boy who's my pride and joy. I had lived the previous 3 years of the relationship in Ireland with my girlfriend, where she came from, and had planned to make a life and a family for myself. And I tried everything in my power to make that happen. I was in a job I enjoyed, working with some really good guys who had made me feel welcomed and at ease from day one. I really liked the area I lived in, I felt at home really quicky. I had my son, who after an anxious premature birth was just my whole world. Things were on the way to being the perfect family life I'd envisaged. But last year things had changed for me, I realised that my life was being stripped away from me piece by piece. My girlfriend had always been difficult, she was always so insecure. I believed it was insecurity to begin with, but after time I realised it was completely unreasonable to the point it was being used to totally control me.. To glance at a newspaper with a picture of an attractive female made me a pervert, I was accused of looking at females when out and about, even when I hadn't. I'd always known it was there, but I loved her since I met her and this side of her hadn't been on show then. She was becoming ever more down on my family, my hobbies, everything. We lived surrounded by her large family, and she expected it of me to go along on all their weekly days out and ocassions. If I said no once in a while I was shunned, totally ignored by both her and her mother and certain other relatives. When it came to my family visiting once or twice a year though it was a completely different story. Her behaviour was disgusting, she couldn't have made things any more obvious that she had no interest in them. Not even for my sake. It was as if once I'd moved there she changed. My family were shunned, my support for my country or my team was belittled and in general it was as if I was to forget everything that had went before, everything that meant anything to me was to disappear, and was to be replaces by everything of hers. My thoughts and feelings seemed irrelevent, I was continuosly pushed until I had a breakdown. If it wasn't for my son I may have left sooner, in hindsight. I adore him and miss him terribly every day. I've been back in Scotland for a year, I've had counselling and continue to this day. Its still a struggle. I have good days but still many bad. Last weekend would have been our 6th anniversary, rather ironically it was Ireland v Scotland and it all resulted in me having a terrible day. I drank far too much and made a fool of myself in a local pub, falling about and bing a nuisance. I'd tried to block out my anguish by drowning them in alcohol, and of course it failed. I'm trying to make a positive out of my life now, I've been accepted for college in September, a mature student no less! But I want to improve my life, get a career I enjoy, and have a better life for myself and my wee boy. I'm trying to look ahead, but I'm not sure if or when I'll get fully through this. Anyone going through similar issues or any form of depression has my sympathy.

Globalising the game or selling out for profit? Cant see past it as a money making scheme to be honest, goes against the grain of everything the GAA should stand for.

Couldn't agree more, absolutely fantastic television. I've watched the boxset a good 4 or 5 times over the years but nothing beats the first time you see it, has your emotions all over the place. Soak it in Presters thats all id say!

Got this recording to view later as im busy tonight. Looking forward to watching it back, strong looking Irish side selected. As for the Aussies, not really sure what it says for their support of the series with the squad they've selected but i hope it continues for a few years yet. Heading to Croke Park for next weeks second meeting, first time il have seen the compromise rules in the flesh so looking forward to it.

Not the easiest game on the eye by any means but the better team won in the end. Far too many wides from Dublin in the first half, and much like the semi final against Kerry they did well to stay in it at the break. Second half was different, the strength of the bench at Jim Gavins disposal again swung a game in the Dubs favour. Much is being made about cynicism in the play towards the end and its understandable. Not the greatest display from Dublin in that respect. Joe Brolly again was critical, yet a few others such as Martin McHugh suggested too much was being made of it. Personally i felt a little bit of the shine was taken of the win because of the manner of play towards the end, although they were the better team.

What a game of football, great advert for the GAA. A lot of people had been silly enough to write off Kerry but they showed that on the day they're still a match for anyone. Colm Cooper, in the first half in particular, gave an absolute masterclass. He caused all sorts of problems for Dublins defence and showed that hes still one of the finest footballers in the game. Few shouts on the Hill for Brennan to man mark him but can anybody mark the guy in that form? I can't see it. Dublins response to what was a very difficult test was impressive, losing the early goals could have resulted in a collapse but they did well to stay as close to Kerry for the half time break. The introduction of Bastick helped greatly as well as it allowed McCauley to get further forward. Dean Rock, Eoghan O'Gara and Kevin MacManamon all influenced the game as well and it shows just how much depth Jim Gavin has available to hi at the moment. Great game, one that will live long in the memory. Looking forward to another great meeting in the final.

Cant disagree with anything you've said Waspie. Tyrone were by far the better side in the first half and should have held a better lead at the break. Mayo offered nothing from open play in the first half with some great Tyrone defending resulting in some horrendous wides from distance. O'Connor was a worrying loss for Mayo with what looked like a very nasty shoulder injury, has to be a doubt for the final now. Second half the game changed and Tyrone tired badly. Ended up a convincing win for Mayo but as you say its been their first test this year. As for the stats on fouling, have to say they could be quite misleading depending on what way you look at it. Theres a huge difference between challenging to win the ball, missing and then fouling, to blatantly hauling down an opponent as they've passed you or are in a good shooting position. In no way am I saying that the first instance is exclusively Tyrone, but they are by far the worst offenders of this type of cynical fouling, and in many ways appear to have a system in place to play the game in that way. You mentioned that the pre match media focus on these allegations seemed to affect the referee and i agree he was poor, particularly at the disallowed goal and the first half Mayo frees. However, it also appeared to have an affect on Tyrone as the sort of fouling that has been all to evident in all their Championship matches to date was missing, and i believe they played the game in a far better manner than previously. I believe they should be credited for that. Heading to Croker on Sunday, cant see what way it'll go. Dublin have been impressive so far but Kerry are Kerry and you never write them off.

Flawless performance from Mayo, really very little they could be questioned on Caoimhim. Right from the throw in they played at an incredible tempo, very like the Donegal of last year actually. Never gave Donegal a chance to settle at all, won back possession quickly and broke forward in numbers and their chance conversion rate was very impressive. On that sort of form they will take some stopping, could it finally be the year for Mayo to manage that final hurdle? Have a habit of dropping short in the Sam but have rarely looked as strong as this. I was at the double header on Saturday and felt both winning teams were the stronger in both games. Monaghan really failed to take any sort of advantage from the extra man during that spell, and a silly red card ended up making it 14 me each. Dubs although nowhere near their best still more than deserved their win, young McCaffrey being a very deserving man of the match. So it wasn't until i got home from the games that i heard a bit of the uproar surrounding Brollys comments on The Saturday Game, i quickly watched it back and was amazed to hear what i did. As he admitted himself he has been a great defender of all things Tyrone in the past when others have attacked their style, which made it all the more shocking. That said, i have to say i 100% agree with everything he said. The cynical nature that they have been rightly accused of using in the past has been taken to the absolute extremes and in no way should it be acceptable. Cheating is the only way it can be descibred and it simply has to be dealt with, which i believe is happening next year with a new rule being implemented. Seeing a team play that way, i have to say i hope Mayo hammer them! And well done Brolly!

Great time for Mayo to get Donegal as they haven't looked at there best by a long way. Have to agree, a good year all round as its been very unpredictable so far in both Championships.

As much as i fancy a Dubs win i dont expect it to be too easy, Cork again make the quarter finals without too much mention from the media. As ever they can put up a fight against anyone. Agree about Kerry, have to fancy them. As you say the other two ties are crackers, Mayo must be feeling confident for this one as Donegal haven't been at their best. Limerick bookies favourites now for the Hurling Caoimhin, confidence building?

Delighted for London as well, great to have achieved what they have already and a day out at Croke Park is a great reward. 6 day turn around could very well go against Donegal but i can see them being a wounded animal, unfortunately for Laois. Championship truly is wide open this year though. As for Hurling, again its there for the taking, the Dubs showed that Kilkenny can be beaten, and if both Tipp and Waterford had been braver they may have been gone for good. Great win for Limerick who must also fancy their chances now.

Massive upset. Very surprising to see Donegal as dominated as they were, something unheard of under McGuinness. Still can't write them off though as they have a huge point to prove now.

Yeah fully agree with that. As you say it was a chance for a breather, tamborine not required. For what its worth i always rated Noel as a superior singer. Liam has everything required to be a great frontman and he is, but for singing alone id go for Noel.