Author: bigdunc123

Online Version When Billy Holland announced his retirement from rugby this week, my reaction can best be described with a reference to ‘Cool Runnings’, the feelgood film about the Jamaican bobsleigh team’s debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The most moving scene comes after the Jamaicans overturn their bobsleigh, ending their hopes of success. Defiantly,… Continue reading Billy Holland is one of a kind in so many ways – Irish Examiner

Online Version Some of my favourite scenes in The Simpsons are flashbacks to Homer’s youth, and the interactions he had with his father, Abe. In one such encounter, Abe walks in on a young Homer and Barney singing Leo Sayer’s ‘You Make Me Feel Like Dancing’ in the mirror and asks them what they are… Continue reading What Ireland must do to kick on and catch rugby’s trendsetters – Irish Examiner

Online Version Saying a competition has been ‘blown wide open’ is usually the type of cliché that should be greeted with a roll of the eyes, such is the insignificance of the event that generally caused the blowing open to happen. With only five rounds of fixtures in the Six Nations, however, one small upset… Continue reading Scottish and French defending have three things in common: Simple, brutal, and effective – Irish Examiner

Online Version Given December 1 as a starting point, what are your expectations for the coming year, and where are Munster as things stand with regard to those ambitions? If asked after the Pro14 semi-final against Leinster in early September, I would not have been terribly optimistic about what the year ahead had in store… Continue reading Munster Rugby in 2020: Five experts analyse the province’s potential for a return to the top – Irish Examiner

Online Version ‘Treated like a piece of meat’ was one of the more hyperbolic things you might hear in conversations with other players from time to time. It usually came up when lads were in contract negotiations and disclosing the exchanges they were having with other clubs. It was always interesting to see how open… Continue reading As a fellow hooker, I found Steve Thompson’s story unnerving – Irish Examiner

Online Version Can you speak any Irish, Duncan?” “Eh, I can yeah, a bit.” “Can you say some stuff?” “Eh, yeah, eh…” And so began a few moments of awkwardly tripping over the most basic Irish phrases, with plenty of French peppered into my shamefully and incoherently poor attempt to showcase my country’s language. The… Continue reading How much do we really love and appreciate our Irish culture? – Irish Examiner

By Sarah Jane Hennelly and Duncan Casey Another day, another government announcement that has us shaking our heads in disbelief. On Tuesday it was the Department of Housing’s turn again as they released their homelessness report for the month of June. Another new record to be ashamed of—9,872 people in emergency accommodation, including 3,824 children.… Continue reading Fudge the Numbers All You Want- Homelessness Policy is Failing – Limerick Leader

Published Online By Duncan Casey It is no secret that Ireland is in the grip of a homelessness crisis. This is not a new phenomenon but the scale of what is being experienced today is unprecedented. Traditional methods of coping with the needs of those at risk are being stretched. Service providers have had to… Continue reading Housing First Initiative – Mid West Simon

Online Version By Duncan Casey Dismal weather spoiled what should have been a thrilling game of expansive rugby at Thomond Park yesterday. Two capable sides were hampered by the conditions. Although schools finals are rarely as entertaining as the games that precede them, the rain and wind ruined this one from a neutral’s perspective. A… Continue reading In Munster, the kids are more than alright – Irish Examiner