Coldplay couple are nobody's business
Why has the world vilified these two people, mocked them and humiliated them?
What do we know about who they are, and why they make the choices they make? We are all human.
The social media interest that fuelled the virality of the clip intruded in what should have been nobody's business but their own. – Yours, etc,
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LEONOR BETHENCOURT,
Drimnagh,
Dublin.
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Irish Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Praising David Clifford's two-pointers simply highlighted Donegal's lack of same
hi Mom,I won't be phoning home tonight as I normally do after the All Ireland final but my love to Spot and, as always, I'm wondering about craic and of the pint in I've lost my voice screaming at the television here trying to find out what on earth was going on all through the second-half from had RTE here for the locals, yer man from Laois, your wan' from Liverpool and the guy with the baseball cap from Hong of us were left wondering are Kerry and Donegal playing different rules?Kerry were kicking two pointers through the first-half, indeed RTE's Darragh Maloney was in thrall as David Clifford pulled successive triggers."This is the first two-pointer in an All-Ireland final," he noted just before the 10th minute. And then as the next score was the same: "This is for two again, that's great from David Clifford, it is just what you'd expect." READ MORE: Shane MacGowan's love for Tipperary GAA, the Shannon Rovers funeral jersey - Siobhan MacGowan reflects on a brother less ordinary... A little later he was even more complex about it: "Who said 'Hammer the Hammer'?" before Clifford, taking his time, executed a perfect two-pointer on half-time, the poise, the timing, the it was Tomas O'Se who, talking in 2021 of the 'hammer' explained "In Kerry, it is how we describe going after the opponent's strongest point."O'Se is also a man who said "One man's grief is another man's punchline."And he called it at the half-time break speaking with Joanne Cantwell: "I would say Jim McGuinness is livid," and "unless Donegal can come up with a couple of two-pointers and a goal I'd still be favouring Donegal."The former Nemo Ranger with five All-Irelands and five All Stars was bringing up a reasonable point; why was he the only one?The second half began, mom, and it was as if Donegal had never heard the new rules, did they not get the memo from Jim Galvin's people?It seems inconceivable that Maloney with Eamonn Fitzmaurice on co-comms didn't want to discuss this, just why were Donegal not trying to score two-pointers - Kerry had 11 two-point attempts in the have come from a time when even RTE tired of a succession of Statler and Waldorf argumentative begrudgers engaging in a series of never-ending pre-game, half-time, full-time spats with the emphasis on the they at least asked questions about games, just as somebody needed to ask just why Donegal were not pursuing two-pointers/goals.I'm willing to bet 50 percent of the estimated viewing audience were experiencing the same sense of what on earth are we watching."This day last year we were talking about a seagull," offered Maloney at one point in the first-half, "well I know I've mentioned it now...".The commentary nearly got to analysis when offering "Eight points (behind) is a long way off from Kerry even with two-pointers and that sort of thing." And just as the 66th minute of the 70 was about to tick in: "They may as well start throwing the kitchen sink at Kerry, it's 26-19! Turned out David Clifford's punchline was Donegal's has been three winners of this year's All Ireland series, the 2025 Dairygold and Kerrygold double. That's Tipperary, Kerry and the RTE hurling commentary team who were excellent analytically, technically. See you soon, love to all at home and to Sally at Peadair's and the way she'd look at you PS: My best moment?: RTE's Damien Lawlor getting the last word in at half-time, wondering if we had already seen the 2025 'memory'. "We had a situation in the noughties, do you remember Joanne, Henry Shefflin was only on the ball for 16 seconds and scored 1-7, 1-8 - it is looking like this for David Clifford already." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘Unbelievably poignant' Katie Taylor message strengthened Lions' will to win
Jack Conan's seasonal finale has delivered in spades. After captaining Leinster to the United Rugby Championship title, the Lions ever-present from four years ago was in ebullient form after Saturday's 29-26 win sealed a series triumph that he will remember forever. The result was all that mattered as Conan reflected on an imperfect training week and what he felt was a far-from-perfect display by himself and the Lions, but one that had additional meaning for the man from Bray. 'We were not at our best by any measure, but physically the lads dug in unbelievably well,' said Conan, who turns 33 on Tuesday. He revealed: 'We had a video from Katie Taylor earlier in the week and it was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but be ready to win by will. 'I think that was something that summed up today massively because we were not at our best at all. Pretty disappointing how we played, but we played for 80 minutes. READ MORE 'Barry ( Hugo Keenan ) getting over the line last minute was just unbelievable. I think the celebrations and the crack and changing room, if we went out and we won by 20, it wouldn't be the same,' he admitted. 'Everyone's just over the moon. To be part of a Lions winning series team is just incredibly special. I feel incredibly humbled and honoured to be part of it all. Not my best game, but a lot of us weren't at the races at all, but we stuck in there. You can't fault the effort. I thought the defensive sets we put in, just whacking people and just staying in there, was unbelievable. I think everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy — Jack Conan 'It's something that will go down in history,' he continued, random thoughts pouring out amid the immediate euphoria of reaching one of the true highs of his rugby career. 'They weren't writing the history books about how s**t we were, but they'll say that we won and that's all that matters. Just so special to be part of it.' Jack Conan (left) and Tadhg Furlong celebrate the Lions' victory over Australia in Saturday's second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP via Getty Images Taylor's message was particularly poignant for Conan given they both hail from Bray. 'Massively. Huge. Someone to come from the town I'm from, I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well. She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world and to be such a superstar and be just incredibly humble and driven and knock it out of herself is something that we kind of leant on as well. We knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it today in spades. 'They were unbelievable, they really were, but we just stuck in it for 80 minutes and [I'm] just incredibly proud of the effort from the lads. I know things didn't click and we weren't flowing properly, but we were getting off the line, trying to hit people, trying to make it count every chance we got. And I think we did that and that's why we got the result in the end.' [ Australia head coach Joe Schmidt unhappy at match officials over Jac Morgan clearout Opens in new window ] It transpired that the Irish performance coach Gary Keegan, who is also part of the extensive Lions backroom team, was the key figure in asking Taylor to provide a motivational video. 'Gary Keegan would have been very close with her and helped her through her amateur career into professional career; he's the link there. It meant a lot to me being from the same place and seeing her on the world stage, but I think everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy. It resonated with everyone. 'It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us, it was brilliant.' Conan was one of a record nine Irish players in the starting line-up who contributed to this series-clinching second Test win, as well as Rónan Kelleher and James Ryan off the bench, with three of them among the Lions try scorers. In another ever-lasting image, Keenan was the match-winner. Putting down one of the two cans of Guinness he had been holding in each hand, Conan said of Keenan: 'Delighted for him, because he had a bit of a rocky start to the campaign with the sickness that derailed him for a while and it's a testament to his professionalism and staying in it. I was delighted for him. Jack Conan came close to scoring a try in the series-clinching victory against Australia. Photograph:'Now in saying that, I would have liked it more if he gave me the ball on the edge and I scored the try,' joked Conan, who helped give Keenan the space to beat Len Ikitau on his outside shoulder by holding his depth. 'No, delighted for Barry, I probably would have dropped it like the other one,' added Conan, in reference to the moment early on when James Slipper's tackle dislodged the ball from his grasp as he was diving over the line. 'No, it was knocked out of my hands lads. 'I was shouting for it, but Barry goes and scores a try. I've no complaints. If he bottled it there in that moment, I would have killed him and kicked the arse off him afterwards, but that was great.' Leinster being the bulk suppliers had generated quite a bit of debate, but Farrell's selections had been vindicated. 'As a Leinster man you're normally on the other end of it where you don't win them, so it was nice to be on the other side of it for once,' admitted Conan with a smile. 'Yeah it's class, just the feeling afterwards, the celebrations. Big Tadge (Tadhg Furlong) was giving it 90 on the sideline which was class and it was just unreal, part of a Lions winning series is just so special, to have played two 80 minutes. I'm not sure if I'll be playing next week after my performance but we'll see what happens, but yeah, absolutely class. 'You can't take these things away from people; [they] go down in history. I know people don't have the best things to say about Australia but I thought they were class today, they were unbelievable, they played above themselves. 'We saw Valetini and big Willie Skelton come back into the side, they were unbelievable. They made a huge difference and we struggled with it at times. A little bit high in the contacts, a little bit soaking, whatever else. But it doesn't matter, we got there in the end, didn't we. 'The win's a win. Series win; Lions series winner. You can't take that away from us, so I'm delighted for everyone. Delighted for the coaching staff, delighted for the lads who played, the lads who didn't play because everyone's played their part. Roll on the celebrations, roll on next week and one more 80 minutes to go and then a bit of well-earned time off.'
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Irish Times
Regaled by admirers, reviled by critics: A glimpse inside the André Rieu musical extravaganza
As the evening sun dips behind Maastricht's medieval spires, this summer evening ignites. Once the signature Entry of the Gladiators begins, all eyes turn towards André Rieu and his troupe of Disney princesses at the top of Vrijthof Square. This annual extravaganza, set against the towering Romanesque Basilica of St Sevatius and Gothic St John's that dominate the square, draws thousands of devoted fans from across the globe. But who is this mulleted maestro regaled by admirers and reviled by critics? Rieu was born and raised in Maastricht, his father also a renowned conductor. Rieu jnr was immersed in the world of classical music from his early years; opera houses became his playgrounds and by age five, he could already play the violin. Yet even then, he was unimpressed by the ambience of such rarified cultural shrines. READ MORE 'I remember loving the music,' he recalls. But the atmosphere was so 'snobbish and deathly boring'. And so, alongside his Johann Strauss Orchestra, he has taken a different and at times controversial approach to orchestration, arrangements and staging of classical standards. For those who cannot grasp the idea of symphonic music as fun, you've yet to witness a Maastricht Rieu special: the occasion – and it sure is that – unfolds in ever more elaborate episodes. One moment, you're seduced by 17-year-old Emma Kok's compelling rendition of Voilà and the next, swept along with what seems like an army of octogenarians tearing into the Macarena – led by none other than Los del Rio themselves. Among this lively Macarena mob is Majella from Trim, Co Meath. She is far from a Rieu rookie and knows exactly what to expect; this year, she decided to drag along her husband and two teenage children for the Maastricht pilgrimage. While sceptical at first, by the night's end, they were won over, admitting it was far from their expectation of that musical genre. [ André Rieu lobbied Ursula von der Leyen for €15m to stage world tour Opens in new window ] In part, their surprise could likely be chalked up to this year's special addition: the striptease skit featuring a blacksmith, briefly stealing the limelight from Rieu. The razzmatazz makes Rieu's performances feel a world away from the classical canon, a showbiz approach that has no shortage of critics who remain unimpressed. He has been branded the king of smaltz and McDonald's of Mozart for a presentation that has succeeded in broadening an audience by way of contentious packaging. But his interpretation of that prolific genius has produced yet another following – one that critic Karen Brooks claims the tradition has long sought to exclude. Accusations of crass commercialism do not faze Rieu or his wedded waltzers, who enjoy the adoration of millions worldwide. They will not claim to be custodians of the classical canon, but they know what they like. And what this nightly crowd in Maastricht want is the local boy made good, who lives locally in his 16th century Renaissance castle. One such devoted admirer is Cindy from Tennessee, who is attending her 24th Rieu concert. Despite claiming to be the least 'groupie' person on the planet, she admits to a soft spot for Rieu. . This year she's making the long trip alone as her husband is 'Rieued out'. And determined to make her journey worthwhile, she is spending the entire month in Maastricht to attend all 12 nights of the July concerts. Another couple, Judie and Jeff from Adelaide, are excited to see Rieu perform in his home town. They attended his 2008 Australian tour, which featured an ice rink and a horse-drawn golden carriage, but admit it falls short of the Maastricht magic. For 20 years, Rieu's July concerts have showcased a musical magnetism that never fails to thrill: whether you're a rookie or sceptic, denying his appeal fails to take account of that talent, charm and savvy commercial acumen. Purists will take a dim view, but while they cling to tradition, the magic is in celebration – fun, fiery and unmistakably alive. Is it an occasion of cultural piety? Perhaps not, but it certainly makes for one hell of a night.
