Latest news with #PaulMescal
Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Ciarán Murphy: Kerry have pointed us to Gaelic football's bright future
All-Ireland football final morning, and as I sit in my car, I think 'isn't it lovely not to have your own county involved, waking up with a knot in your stomach, up to high doh trying to arrange a last-minute ticket collection'. And then the feeling comes, a half-second after that. No, that's absolutely wrong. I'd kill to be from Donegal or Kerry right now ... or more accurately, I'd kill for Galway to be involved again this year. I was a non-combatant last Sunday, so I didn't have any of those intense emotions churning away. But the All-Ireland final purports to be a celebration of the sport that everyone can take part in. This is reflected in the ticketing system, which is obviously a key point of discussion before every hurling and football final. Where do all the tickets go? There will always be a few that end up in the hands of the spivs and bluffers of the nation, to channel my inner Eamon Dunphy. But every club in Ireland gets a couple, so they have a chance to have a presence at the Big Show. Nothing established Paul Mescal's GAA bona fides quite like the moment during the All-Ireland hurling final when he admitted on the BBC to feeling guilty at taking two tickets in a corporate box for his dad and himself, swiping them from fans much more deserving than he. I don't think that two bucks from Puckaun were going to get into the corporate box if Paul had said he couldn't make it, but even this generosity of spirit didn't insulate him from some social media brickbats. I always find that sort of reaction intensely amusing. In any case, I may not have been nervous on Sunday morning, but I was excited. This was an All-Ireland final with a lot on the line. There were Kerry and Donegal's very specific motivations, obviously, but more generally there was a feeling that we needed to see something to round off the summer in a style that befitted that which had preceded it. Was the entire sport on trial? That would be both a rampant overstatement of the facts, and also a vague feeling those of us who care about the sport had bubbling along under the surface. In the same way that the desire for change was based on far more than just a terrible All-Ireland last year, the enthusiasm and outright joy at how the early stages of the championship had gone would not have dissipated after a poor final this year. Kerry fans can claim vindication after the All-Ireland final. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho But it would nevertheless be useful to give everyone a cracker before the intercounty action ends. That was my main emotion as I walked into the ground, silently bemoaning the colour clash that led to the vague sense that we were walking into a sporting event with only one team playing. I took my seat in the upper Hogan, and with five minutes to go before throw-in, the seat beside me was still unused. This would hardly last much longer ... and it duly didn't. Striding up the steps, towards my seat with a sense of inevitability, was a former Galway All-Ireland winner. Having sourced my ticket a long way from Galway, I was a little bowled over by the coincidence. Pádraic Boyce was a breakout, scene-stealing star of A Year 'Til Sunday, Pat Comer's groundbreaking documentary following Galway's All-Ireland final win in 1998. I remembered him more as the funniest player and the biggest talker on the Galway under-21 teams that my dad was a selector with in the early 1990s. Within seconds we were talking about the All-Ireland final Galway had lost to Tyrone in 1992, trying to remember if Peter Canavan had gone bald before he'd even reached 21. Pádraic's father is a Donegal man, and he had grown up in Gweedore, so he was by no means a neutral. The woman on the other side of me was from Offaly, teaching in Limerick, and about to get married to a man from Castleisland in Kerry. She was wearing a Kerry jersey, which to Pádraic and I seemed a little like she was trying too hard to impress the in-laws. But she may have felt like throwing her lot in with Kerry would be easier and more productive in the long run. You could hardly blame her. That the game wasn't a classic had nothing to do with Kerry. Instead of a battle of wills, we got a clinic in how to play Gaelic football 2.0. They were quite simply exceptional, and David Clifford was otherworldly. The entire day was one of those occasions in Croker where it was a pleasure to be there, a reminder of what's important, and a vindication of what makes it a day for everyone, not just the hardcore support from both counties. Support is a fluid concept – something you're born into before being taken away from, or something you marry into. We don't need to gatekeep these things. The sandbox games continue. The passage of play before half-time as Kerry held on to the ball waiting for the hooter may have had Jim Gavin shifting uneasily in his seat, but the answer to that is a style issue, not a rule issue. The tinkering may not be done just yet, but all of a sudden the sport's future is something to look forward to.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
RTÉ's 90s striptease throwback sends internet into a spiral
Well, this isn't the kind of woolly jumper content we expected from the Aran Islands…. An old clip from Beo le Bridóg, an RTÉ Television Irish language chat show that aired in the mid-90s, has resurfaced and it's sending social media into a tailspin. The footage in question? A group of brawny Aran men performing what can only be described as a Magic Mike-meets-TradFest strip tease. Yes, we're as surprised as you are. Well, this isn't the kind of woolly jumper content we expected from the Aran Islands….Pic: TikTok/RTEOne Originally broadcast in 1996, the video has recently gone viral after being unearthed by the national broadcaster and shared on TikTok. The clip has prompted a wave of pearl-clutching reenactments, speculation about how many televisions were hastily switched off in Connemara, and more than one thirst comment about a man who is likely in his 60s now. 'You never know what you'll find in the #rtearchives,' the RTÉ One account wrote. @rteone You never know what you'll find in the #rtearchives 👀 Here's a spicy lil throwback from Irish language show Beo Le Bridóg in 1996 with performance we're guessing the audience never forgot 😂 ♬ original sound – RTÉ One 'Here's a spicy lil throwback from Irish language show Beo Le Bridóg in 1996 with performance we're guessing the audience never forgot.' Unsurprisingly the comments ranged from NSFW and those aghast at the national broadcaster's laissez faire attitude to bare exposed chests and gyrating hips back in the 90s. 'The line for confession the next morning must have been huge,' one user joked. 'The pearl clutching must have been off the charts,' another added. 'This in 1996 when they couldn't even handle normal people in 2020,' a third penned. We're sure Paul Mescal would make a killing if he donned the miniscule sailor suit. One can dream.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kerry v Donegal: Who is on BBC punditry duty for the All-Ireland final?
It's All-Ireland football Sunday and as has become the norm, the final will be showcased in the UK by the BBC. Britain's National broadcaster host the All-Ireland final every year on TV and on their online streaming platforms. Last week, the Hurling final between Cork and Tipperary was broadcast and fans in the UK were blown away by the athleticism and skill on display. BBC rolled out the big guns for the final and had an A-list panel to go with A-list celebrities like Paul Mescal and Rachael Blackmore. And they are expected to go big once again for Sunday's clash between Donegal and Kerry. While the celebrity special guests haven't been revealed, the BBC have announced their punditry line-up for the big game. Sarah Mulkerrins will anchor the show and she will be joined by ex-stars Oisín McConville (Armagh) Philly McMahon (Dublin) and Conor McManus (Monaghan). Commentator Thomas Niblock will be joined by three-time Sam Maguire winning manager Mickey Harte, while ex-Donegal star Brendan Devenney and Tyrone's Owen Mulligan will be with Mark Sidebottom for analysis and Maurice Deegan will provide a referee's insight into the biggest calls.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The best short shorts for men – and how to pull them off
According to the hemline index, skirts shift upwards during prosperous times – the theory being that hemlines rise and fall in line with the economy. Well, it seems that for guys, it's the opposite. With turbulent markets, our shorts are rising higher than ever – so much so that this season has been dubbed 'thigh guy summer'. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Sure, we've sort of been here before. Donald Glover was spotted in teeny tiny shorts back in 2022 while Paul Mescal, the king of short shorts, has been wearing them ever since Normal People was released in 2020. And lest we forget Milo Ventimiglia's viral moment in his post-workout micro-minis in 2021. However, this year has brought a gear change that can't go unnoticed: Marks & Spencer, purveyor of British wholesomeness, has jumped on board. The high-street retailer has released a range of its shortest shorts ever, with an in-seam of less than 12.7cm (5in) – clear proof that a thigh-grazing length is going mainstream. What's so interesting about short shorts, though, is that they always make headlines. They've been around for decades (think John Travolta in Perfect, Tom Selleck as Magnum PI, and basically every pair of running shorts in the 70s), but a man's bare legs still cause a stir. Whenever a celebrity wears anything above the knee – whether on the red carpet or spotted in the wild – it sends the internet into swooning overdrive: whether it's Vogue and GQ reporting on Paul Mescal wearing boxers as shorts or the hoards of people thirsting over the Gladiator actor's legs on X. Mere mortals may not receive such high praise for baring a little leg, but only because it's not fully normalised for a guy to show his mid-thigh area – yet. Even as a stylist and fashion writer, I've received a disapproving glance or two from more conservative folk, but the compliments always far outweigh the flak. And, as a menswear expert, trust me when I say it just looks so good. It's sexy. It's cool. It even makes you look taller by visually elongating your legs. So, us guys have to be brave, pull our socks up, and put our short shorts on (look at Alexander Skarsgård on Lorraine, below, to see how it's done). The best part? They're the comfiest bottoms going, too. To get it right, there are a few easy rules to follow. First of all, context is key. You may not want to wear them somewhere formal or if you're likely to be with people who are more conservative. Second, always wear underwear to avoid any Basic Instinct-coded mishaps. So, whether you need new swim shorts for an upcoming holiday, a tailored pair to wear to dinner or a sporty pair for casual dressing, I've put together a list of all the best short shorts you can buy now – most of which are less than £100 – as well as tips on how to wear them. Adidas Adicolor Classics sprinter shorts £40 at Adidas£40 at Asos Adidas is your best bet for a sporty take. Whether you've spotted them on TikTok or on fashionable guys everywhere, the triple-stripe Originals shorts are having a moment. My favourite? This red pair, which looks great with a relaxed, boxy white shirt like this one by Arket. Boxy white shirt £77 at Arket Sunspel classic boxer shorts £45 at Sunspel Underwear as outerwear is becoming more popular – see Paul Mescal's Glasto look for proof. It's an excuse to splash out on a luxury pair of boxers. Heritage British menswear expert Sunspel has a great selection, all made in a slightly heavier cotton to give them more structure. It's usually best to size up for a roomy fit. Zara linen/cotton bermuda shorts £35.99 at Zara Zara is known for designing collections that look like they've walked off a luxury designer's runway but without the price tag. Case in point: these tailored short shorts that could perhaps pass as Ralph Lauren or Brunello Cucinelli. The front pleats and tortoiseshell buttons are the small details that elevate them to the next level. Marks & Spencer chino shorts £20 at Marks & Spencer Classic chino shorts are easy to dress up or down, making them one of the most versatile options. Marks & Spencer has entered the short shorts chat with a range of shorter-in-seam chino shorts. David Gandy Wellwear short length swim shorts £47.60 at David Gandy Wellwear These swim shorts don't just tick the box from a hemline perspective, they're practical, too – from the built-in UV protection to the biodegradable textiles. For a full look, the brand has a great selection of poolside tops to choose from, too: from a classic white henley to a premium T-shirt. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Nike ACG hike shorts £55 at Nike£55 at Size? If you're always wearing Salomons or Arc'teryx, chances are you're a gorpcore fan. Thanks to Nike, you can get the short shorts to match. These are designed for hiking and made from sweat-wicking and water-repellent fabric – but they'd work just as well at the pub with a printed tee and trainers. Vintage Levi's 555 denim shorts £30 at Rokit Thrift stores are a treasure trove for short shorts – and Rokit is no exception. This pair of thigh-skimming Levi's stand out, but there are plenty of options on the retailer's virtual shelves, whether you want a classic pair of denim shorts like these or are after something sportier or more retro-inspired. Rokit has even reworked some designs with lace and appliqué patches. If you can't find any that take your fancy, check out Beyond Retro or Goldsmith Vintage instead. Ralph Lauren 15.2cm Polo Prepster corduroy shorts £145 at Ralph Lauren Brands such as Aimé Leon Dore and Drake's may be leading the charge on preppy fashion right now, but you can't go wrong with OG label Ralph Lauren. Anything showing the brand's polo player logo always looks a little Ivy League, these shorts included. They're made from a lightweight corduroy and are finished with a comfy drawstring waistband. Tracksmith Van Cortlandt shorts £70 at Tracksmith Still thinking about Paulie's running shorts in Juno? Then Tracksmith is the brand you need to know about. The US label makes the best retro-inspired shorts on the running market, whether you want to wear them for exercise or just for show. Navy never fails. Frescobol Carioca Rio Sport Raffia Angra Swim £165 at Frescobol Carioca Frescobol Carioca is a London-based brand that takes inspiration from Brazil – so it makes sense that it's the best place to go for a summery print. This woven rattan pattern is a reimagination of the paved streets of Angra dos Reis. Although they're designed as swim shorts, they're wearable for every day. This part's easier than you think. They look good with everything from a big shirt, which is on the smarter side; a boxy tee, more casual; a hoodie, super-casual; or a polo shirt, which is somewhere in the middle. They're more chic than many other types of shorts (such as cargos, jersey and oversized jorts). If you're a short king like me (5ft 8in, to be exact), they also give the illusion of extra height. To show off your shorts in all their glory, a boxy fit is your friend. Don't wear anything on top that's so oversized it covers most of your shorts – or you're in danger of looking like you've forgotten to get dressed. Wear them with an Oxford shirt and loafers to double down on smart casual; a T-shirt and retro kicks for a laid-back look; or even a knit for a cooler evening. Since most of your legs are on show, mid-calf ribbed socks tend to look best. If you need to update your sock drawer, Uniqlo has a great selection in every colour of the rainbow – and four pairs are only £12.90. In need of a wedding guest-ready suit for summer? Read our guide to the best men's suits under £400 Peter Bevan is a stylist and fashion journalist covering menswear, womenswear and beauty
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Paul Mescal sends fans spiraling in emotional first look at The History of Sound
The trailer has dropped for Paul Mescal's latest project, with fans going wild for the impending emotional flick. A sneak peek for The History of Sound made its way onto the internet this week and gives fans a glimpse at the Maynooth native and The Crown star Josh O'Connor in the forbidden romance film set after World War I. The film received a six-minute-long standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival when it premiered earlier this year, with fans of the Irish heartthrob certain it will be emotionally crushing. The trailer has dropped for Paul Mescal's latest project, with fans going wild for the impending emotional flick. Pic: Luca Carlino/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock The Normal People star plays Lionel while Josh plays David, two men who meet in 1917 while attending the Boston Music Conservatory. A synopsis for the film reads: 'The History of Sound follows two young men — Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O'Connor) — in the shadows of WWI who are determined to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen. 'As they begin to log the events, the two fall in love.' A sneak peak for The History of Sound made its way onto the internet this week and gives fans a glimpse at the Maynooth native and The Crown star Josh O'Connor in the forbidden romance film set after World War I. Pic:for Netflix Naturally, the pair show off their vocal range in the trailer, provoking a major reaction from eager fans. 'This looks stunning! Quiet, emotional, and deeply human. The cinematography and music already feel like poetry. Can't wait to see how this unfolds!' one user wrote. 'Paul returning to what he knows best… making us absolutely bawl our eyes out… we love it,' another penned. 'The preview gave me a chill like a whisper on my skin. I cannot wait to see this. It looks amazing,' a third added. The upcoming flick is set to be released in America in September, however, there is no talk yet of an Irish release date. Check out the full trailer below:
