Keith Bailie
@KeithJBailie
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Northern Ireland based writer, broadcaster and commentator. Sports Journalist for @BelTel Press Officer @NIFWA 📨 DMs open
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Joined February 2009
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They'll hang this in the Louvre.
Down the back, but who cares. Still the Louvre
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I'm not in favour of a European Super League, but it's hard to take the Premier League and UEFA's faux horror seriously.
The Super League is motivated by the same principles that drove the creation of the Premier League and the Champions League.
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As I said on the Bel Tel earlier this week...
For every Northern Ireland fan who isn't prepared to travel to Casement, there will be another 10 happy to take his ticket.
‘You can shove Casement Park up your h***’ – Northern Ireland fans voice opposition to proposed Euro 2028 stadium
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I'm not sure the officiating in this game is as controversial as the BT Sport commentary team seem to think it is.
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"We are utterly disgusted that we are getting a good Brexit deal.
"We demand the same shitty deal as the rest of the country."
Nice one.
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The memefication of 'Up the Ra' is a worrying trend.
It's played for cheap giggles like 'Ats Us Nai' or 'Yeoo'
But it's much darker than that. It trivialises the tragic death of so many innocent people.
Leadership and education is required.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has apologised after a video of players from the women’s team circulated on social media, showing a number of footballers appearing to chant ‘Oh Ah Up the Ra.’
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I'm pleased the UEFA Super Cup is in Belfast, and the Irish FA deserve credit for securing the fixture. It's good for the economy and it's good for morale.
But describing it as the biggest game in Windsor Park's history is plainly incorrect.
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George Best is greatest footballer to hail from Northern Ireland.
But there's a strong argument that Steve Davis is Northern Ireland's greatest ever player.
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I've said this before, but it's a privilege to be a supporter of that
@NorthernIreland
team.
They leave everything on the pitch. You can't ask for more as a fan.
#gawa
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Well at least there be loads more money for the Health Service now.
That's how it works, right?
BREAKING: UK Government confirms it will not provide funding for Casement Park to be built in time for Euro 2028
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That may well be the end of the road for this
@NorthernIreland
team.
If it is, they have given us six incredible years. From that win in Budapest until tonight's defeat they have given us so many memories.
Northern Ireland's third golden generation.
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On sectarianism and racism in Northern Ireland...
Short term, we need more prosecutions for incitement to hatred.
Long term, we desperately require better education and political leadership.
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No amateur football, no club rugby, no GAA, no hockey, no schools sport, no club activities.
Light a candle for the sports editor of your local newspaper.
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I understand the reasons for it and I've no axe to grind with Sky, but it's a real shame that games of this magnitude aren't on free-to-air television.
Every schoolkid in
@NorthernIreland
should be able to watch tonight's match.
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An incredible story is unfolding at Taylor's Avenue. To claim four promotions in five seasons after going bust is incredible.
Well done to everyone at
@NewryCityAFC
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This has not aged well.
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I'm not at all disheartened by that. Beyond being more diligent in front of goal there's not much more we could have done. O'Neill got it spot on and all the players worked themselves into the ground.
A team to be proud of...
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Five years on and I still enjoy seeing Switzerland get beat.
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Half-Time Scores
Ballyclare 4 Loughgall 0
Ards 2 Portadown 0
Full-Time Scores
Ballyclare 4 Loughgall 5
Ards 2 Portadown 4
The Championship is bonkers.
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Jerry's death has rocked our game - the fact Carrick were on the pitch when the news started to filter through was just heartbreaking.
A talented footballer and a beloved teammate lost.
My thoughts are with his family, his many friends and everyone at Carrick Rangers.
Carrick Rangers Football Club is saddened by the very untimely sudden death earlier today of our friend and player Jerry Thompson.
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Julie Nelson deserved that moment. She has given so much to football in
@NorthernIreland
over the last 20 years.
#NIR
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Pleased to say that the County Down Spectator and Newtownards Chronicle will be return to shop shelves on Thursday.
It's been a very tough few days for all at Spectator Newspapers. It's a pleasure to work with such a great team of journalists and staff on a daily basis. I will miss them all.
When this storm passes - and it will pass - we will get back to doing what we do so well. Stay safe. x
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Why did it take
@CommunitiesNI
56 hours from Wednesday's announcement to just before kick-off at The Showgrounds to tell the IFA that crowds were banned?
That's created unnecessary travel and caused an unnecessary crowd to gather at the ground.
Arguably a resigning matter.
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If he can be out witted by Gary Hamilton, I don't see him getting the better of Guardiola and Klopp.
FT: Glenavon 2-1 Molde FK.
Goals from Rhys Marshall and Josh Daniels give the Lurgan Blues an aggregate lead for the 2nd leg on July 19th!
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🚨 PERSONAL NEWS KLAXON 🚨
I've always wanted to do that.
After eight years, today is my final day with Spectator Newspapers. It has been a honour to serve as Sports Editor of the
@codownspectator
and
@NArdsChronicle
, my two hometown newspapers.
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A great final and a great day for Northern Irish football.
Not that long ago, the League Cup was another midweek 'mickey mouse' cup competition.
After 36 years, countless name changes and a dozen different formats,
@OfficialNIFL
have turned it into a genuinely meaningful event
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A major football in tournament in Belfast and a new home for Ulster GAA?
This seems to be an unfashionable opinion, but rebuilding Casement Park can only be a good thing for sport in Northern Ireland.
Everything you need to know as UK and Ireland are officially announced as Euro 2028 hosts
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It wasn't to be for Rangers, but what a display from Steve Davis.
He came on when Frankfurt were on top, steadied the ship, controlled the midfield, almost won it and scored his penalty. 👏
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A very sad day. Jim Palmer, my predeccessor on the
@ardsfc1900
beat, has passed away after a long illness.
Jim covered Ards through the crazy 90s and the hard-up 00s. A kind man who was always generous with his time. I owe him a debt of gratitute.
Rest easy, Jim.
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So today marked my last day as Chairman of
@NIFWA
.
It's been a real honour to lead our august body for the last two years. Thanks to everyone who has helped me during my tenure.
Good luck to my successor Stuart McKinley, who will do a fine job.
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That was
@NorthernIreland
's best performance under Baraclough. Compact, well-disciplined and posed a threat at the other end.
A masterclass from Jonny Evans - but credit to the supporting cast of Cathcart and Flanagan.
The atmosphere was also a massive improvement on Friday.
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I don't wish to sound saccharine, but it's been a genuine pleasure to report on the Irish League this season.
Big crowds, exciting games and tremendous individual talent.
The best title race since 93/94.
Congrats to
@CrusadersFC
on winning it.
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You will struggle to find anyone with a bad word to say about
@OranKearney
.
His success at Coleraine didn't come easy, but his faith in good football and young players eventually paid dividends.
St. Mirren's gain is the Irish League's loss.
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The AONISC has done some superb work over the years and I respect Gary's willingness to speak to the media.
But I think they've misjudged this one.
No matter how genuine the concerns, the optics are terrible. The Casement saga has reinforced old stereotypes of what a NI fan is
The Casement Park story continues...the AONISC have released a new statement through chair Gary McAllister calling the IFA for more detail on the GAA stadium being chosen for Euro 2028/funding issues & football legacy insisting the 'vast majority' of NI fans back their stance ⬇️
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The pass. The goal. The result.
Incredible night for Linfield.
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For someone who doesn't live here Stephen Craigan's Irish League knowledge is very impressive.
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Since the modern Olympics began in 1896 only three athletes from Northern Ireland have won gold at the Summer Games.
Three more have won gold in the last 16 hours.
Incredible from Daniel, Jack and Hannah
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Here is the back page of the
@NArdsChronicle
.
We reveal that
@ArdsFC1900
is on the brink of securing a 125-year lease on a 6-acre plot of
@ANDborough
land on the Portaferry Road.
Details plus quotes from Mayor Trevor Cummings and an interview with chairman Warren Patton inside
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The rule that forces intermediate teams to surrender home advantage in the Irish Cup is a nonsense at the best of times, but it makes even less with reduced/no crowds.
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O'Neill's legacy is that he changed how we thought about football in Northern Ireland. Even 2011, we still clung on to the idea that our national team could win matches by showing more belief and passionate than our opponent. We were honest but outdated.
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Looking forward to the new challenge.
📢 Job announcement
Yet another great signing for the
@BelTel
and
@TheSundayLife
Sports Department.
I am delighted to welcome
@KeithJBailie
to our team.
Keith will primarily work on the digital side of our operation.
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IFA & FAI should act together and reject an invitation to a joint civic reception from Belfast City Council. Silly, point scoring exercise.
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Was at a food stall in Lyon when one NI fan was asked if he wanted 'frites or riz?' with his curry
'Half an half, mate.'
Never change
#GAWA
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Here's a column on the late Jerry Thompson and how politicians (both Stormont and Westminster) must do more to combat our mental health crisis. Funding is essential.
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20 years ago today, Michael Halliday scored the winner in the Irish Cup final.
He's in the Bangor squad for Saturday's Irish Cup match with Carrick Rangers.
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The referee made a couple of notable mistakes in the Old Firm, but the game flowed and the fans were able to fully enjoy the goals.
Give me a few human errors over VAR any day.
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This weekend's weather has taken its toll on Darragh Park. Photograph courtesy of
@DergviewFC
's Facebook page.
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Here's my attempt at putting Tommy Breslin's achievements into some sort of context.
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Never thought I'd see a Lithuanian referee whistle for a goal scored by a French striker past a German goalkeeper in an Irish League game.
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For an unassuming footballer, Chris Baird had a fantastic career.
Nearly 200 Premier League games, 79 international caps, a European Championships, a Europa League final and an FA Cup final.
Happy retirement, Chris.
#gawa
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'Northern Ireland need a goalscorer' is a lazy piece of analysis.
David Healy's incredible run aside, we've never had a prolific goalscorer.
The best NI teams found ways to create chances, score goals and win games.
There's no excuse for one goal (an OG) in six at Windsor.
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£20 for the Irish Cup final? Part of the appeal of the Irish League is it provides value for money. Do the IFA understand their own product?
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Michael O'Neill has stepped down as manager of
@NorthernIreland
. This day has felt inevitable for some time, but it's a sad day none the less. But he leaves both the team and the association in a much stronger place than he found it.
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The FAI are asking for £444 million from the Irish government for infrastructure.
Football up here can't even get its hands on the £36m it was promised in 2011.
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I'm not convinced NIFL clubs have anything to gain from an all-island league.
It has the potential to turn our biggest clubs into mid-table teams, our mid-table clubs into second division sides and our smaller clubs into regional outfits.
Exclusive: Sunday Life Sport understands that both the IFA and FAI have had a dramatic change of heart and would now be open to the possibility of merging to create an All-Ireland League, with the support of UEFA
@LooneyStephen
has the story ⤵️
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Niall McGinn's performance at The Oval tonight is as good as I've seen in the Irish League in a long time.
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🏅
@BethanyFirth2
🥈
@McClenaghanRhys
🥉
@barryjrmcc
Ards is now above Pakistan, Jamaica and Cameroon in the medal table.
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I have massive admiration for Gareth Southgate and his players. Modern, thoughtful and technically excellent.
But there's a section of their support that make it difficult to like England.
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As a club
@OfficialBlues
have enjoyed an incredible season. They've won the league title at senior level, Under 20s league, Under 18s and Under 16s, while their women's side are also reigning champions.
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YOU DID US PROUD is the
@NArdsChronicle
's message to
@McClenaghanRhys
.
Inside...
🏃♀️ Heartbreak for Ciara Mageean
🏑 Olympic debut for
@ards_lhc
star Zara Malseed
⚽️ Must read for
@ArdsFC1900
fans. Two-page season preview.
🏏
@NorthDown1857
reach cup final
🏋️♀️ Silver for Lucy McG
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When I think of Tommy Breslin the first word I think of is generous. He was generous with his time and generous in spirit. Never too busy to stop and talk, whether you were a player, a journalist or a fan.
Cliftonville Football Club are devastated to this evening learn of the sudden and untimely death of Tommy Breslin.
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When you consider that
@NorthernIreland
lost 6-0 to Norway twice in quaification, it's not unreasonable to call that performance progress. After a shaky start, the girls acquitted themselves well.
As ever, the
#GAWA
were first class.
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It's been a very tough few days for all at Spectator Newspapers. It's a pleasure to work with such a great team of journalists and staff on a daily basis. I will miss them all.
When this storm passes - and it will pass - we will get back to doing what we do so well. Stay safe. x
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I'm considering writing a strongly worded letter to UEFA and FIFA about tonight's referee in Geneva.
Can anyone advise as to where their headquarters are based?
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Last word from me on yesterday's debacle.
I hope it isn't dismissed as a sports story - a row over whether fans can attend games.
It's much more important than that. It calls into to question both government's competence and their ability to work together at a time of crisis.
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Fair play to Michael Halliday.
The 42 year-old striker played 50 minutes in nets today, after both Bangor's first-choice and back-up goalkeepers got injured in the first half.
👏🏻 The
@FynchHatton
man of the match was our goal scorer and third goalkeeper of the day - Michael Halliday.
🟡🔵
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I love it when Northern Ireland play like that. That sort of structured defensive display is what O'Neill does best.
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Strange quirk of fate that two of the greatest footballers of all time - George Best and Diego Maradona - both died on November 25.
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Perhaps I've been spoilt by recent innovations in Irish League coverage, but it's a little disappointing that there's no live coverage of the County Antrim Shield final.
Fingers crossed Sudan and Guinea-Bissau picks up in the second half...
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The NI Executive should return to the table with an increased pot of funding for football facilities to compensate for the club resources wasted chasing this elusive £36 million.
Just imagine how much further that cash would have stretched if it was released in 2011 or 2015.
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Obviously losing at home to Kazakhstan is embarrassing but I stand by this point.
We might have to suck up bad results this campaign and next, but there is a nucleus of a good young team there.
Ballard, Bradley, Charles, Hume, Price, Marshall and Taylor will be mega for NI.
I think there's more positives than negatives from that game for Northern Ireland.
I doubt we would have shown that much resilience under the previous manager.
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Xherdan Shaqiri and David Cushley are basically the same player.
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It will take a bit of work, and a bit of goodwill on both sides...but Northern Ireland playing Euro 2028 games at Casement Park could be a beautiful thing.
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That will make it extremely difficult to justify restrictions on other sporting events in Northern Ireland.
We're kidding ourselves if we think the Super Cup is a major sporting event worthy of exception.
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That was hard to watch. But Frampton owes us nothing - it's been a pleasure to follow his fortunes over the last decade or so.
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I can see myself and a mate celebrating Healy's winner. We were students - I bunked off uni to queue for tickets at Windsor Avenue. Barely missed a home game since.
With tickets at £67.50 & £57, I can't imagine many students will be at Wednesday's game. How will they get hooked?
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You hate it now - but hip Northern Ireland fans will be wearing it semi-ironically on away trips 20 years from now.
𝔸𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 🏗 Our new kit pays tribute to two of the historic towering icons of the
#Belfast
skyline
#GAWA
@JDFootball
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Thinking of my old friend Jim Palmer this morning, who died this day last year.
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To score four goals against an accomplished team like Qarabag is seriously impressive stuff from Linfield. It was mature performance from a team who looked like they belonged at that level.
Hopefully this summer will be a turning point for Irish League clubs in Europe.
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Ethan Galbraith is
@ManUtd
's 30 man squad for the Europa League. Hopefully he gets some game time against LASK on Wednesday.
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Well, as long as he doesn't play in the Championship or PIL...
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Strong statement from Marissa Callaghan.
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Northern Ireland has a rich history of creating massive sporting upsets.
This is the most unlikely of them all.
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It's good to see a bit of positivity around Irish League football after a miserable few months.
The players from all four clubs deserve a massive amount of credit.
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It was a joy to speak to
@neighbours
star Jackie Woodburne for today's edition of the
@BelTel
Weekend supplement, ahead of Wednesday night's
@LiveInConvo
at the Waterfront.
I'll post the links below, but it looks class in print.
Susan Kennedy - She's One of Our Own!
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After this disaster, you have to wonder if it's time for two separate Irish rugby teams?
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Need a distraction from the debacle at Stormont?
Tonight's
@NorthernIreland
play-off is free-to-air on Challenge. Kick-Off at 7.45pm.
Freeview: 47
Virgin Media: 164
Freesat:146
Sky: 160
It's also on Sky Sports Premier League.
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I celebrated that McGonigle goal...just because I want to see another half an hour of this match.
Absolutely absorbing.
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