THIS IS NOT A DRILL. The great wait is over — this is happening.
The big-screen messages were clear before Oasis came on stage for the first time in 16 years last Friday in Cardiff.
The brawling Gallagher brothers got the band back together and produced the mother of all comebacks. The guns had fallen silent in their 16-year war and it was like the band had never been away.
Off they went — ‘Hello, hello — it’s good to be back . . . ’
The world tour may have thrown in in Wales, but Ireland is a homecoming gig.
The Gallagher brothers are Manchester by birth, but Mayo by the grace of God and those lucky enough to get tickets for next month’s Croke Park shows are in for a treat.
The band split back in 2009, four years after Cork claimed their last All-Ireland SHC title.
Kilkenny secured the four in a row that September before Tipperary halted the Drive for Five a year later.
That rivalry took centre stage for much of the decade to come. The Cats and the Premier became hurling’s Liam and Noel, with Cork reduced to no more than a support act.
The feuding Oasis brothers embarked on solo careers and all the while, the Rebels still waited for the big one. There’s a feeling on Leeside now that their great wait is over.
Cork had to sit back and watch Kilkenny, Tipperary, Clare, Galway and Limerick top the charts.
Losing finals in 2006 (Kilkenny denied Cork a three in a row), 2013 (after a replay against Clare), 2021 (Limerick) and last July (Clare again, after extra-time) hurt.
April’s 3-26 to 1-16 drubbing by the Treaty in Limerick was a big blow.
But some might say that sunshine follows thunder, as the Rebels came back to the Gaelic Grounds and prevailed on penalties in the Munster final.
The stage was ready for a return to Croke Park — and so were they.
Pat Ryan’s men fired a warning shot to their rivals, blowing Dublin away with 7-26 in an exhibition of rock ’n roll hurling.
Their firing line were in tune as Alan Connolly bagged a hat-trick, with Brian Hayes and midfielder Tim O’Mahony chipping in with two apiece. The defence was a wonder wall last Saturday too.
Their fans left Dublin feeling that this really is happening. Since the qualifiers were introduced in 1997, Cork have never faced Tipperary in the final.
And the Premier’s Liam and Noel — manager Cahill and spiritual leader McGrath — are on a comeback tour of their own.
The county were on the floor last year when they failed to win a game in the Munster Championship, finishing bottom of the pile.
Cahill’s credentials were questioned. He asked patience of the Tipp public — who are restless at the best of times — but they just needed a little time to wake up.
Last year’s round robin cast no shadow as the opening-round draw with Limerick in Thurles offered hope.
A drubbing against Cork followed but Darragh McCarthy’s red card ended the game before it had even begun.
The Premier beat All-Ireland champions Clare before seeing off Waterford by nine points to seal third place in the group.
Laois and Galway were clinically dispatched before Cahill’s rebuild stood up to the test in Sunday’s thrilling semi-final against Kilkenny, when Oisín O’Donoghue struck a wonder goal to secure passage to the final.
The youngster could only lap it up in front of Hill 16, just as Oasis will do when they walk out on stage next month. Not even an umpire or a dodgy scoreboard will ruin it.
Similar scenes will unfold on either the South Mall or the square in Thurles after Rob Downey or Ronan Maher climbs the steps of the Hogan Stand to take Liam MacCarthy home.
Tipp blew the Cats away against all odds on Sunday, but this team’s journey is starting to look like it’s all part of the masterplan.
Twenty years on from 2005, all the pressure is on Ryan’s Rebels.
Because they need each other, they believe in one another — Cork and Tipperary need to uncover what’s sleeping in their souls.
ARSENAL have a HUGE summer of business to take care of in the transfer market.
The Gunners are considering adding one of their stars in a sensational swap deal for Eberechi Eze.
The Gunners have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard, according to transfer guru, David Ornstein.
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres is closing in on his big switch to the Emirates with talks reportedly now at an advanced stage.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below…
The best festivals in Thailand have a bit of everything, from big-name bands and DJs to full-on weekends with art, wellness, and even barefoot island raves. And this year, the lineup looks better than ever, with old favourites returning and new names to get excited about. Sure, we love catching dedicated artist performances (and there …
The story Upcoming music festivals in Thailand you won’t want to miss (July to December 2025) as seen on Thaiger News.
A Thai woman’s ride from Kanchanaburi to Pattaya turned into a six-hour highway horror after her taxi driver watched cartoons at the wheel, argued with her repeatedly, and then tried to throw her out of the moving vehicle. TikTok user @alin_6236 posted a dramatic video yesterday, July 8, capturing part of the meltdown, including the …
The story Wrong toon: Taxi driver snaps after 6-hour cartoon caper to Pattaya as seen on Thaiger News.
Taxi Driver Apologizes After Overcharging Passenger in Davao A taxi driver in Davao City has apologized after overcharging a passenger at Davao International Airport. Overcharging means asking someone to pay more than the right or fair amount for something, like a product or service. Sometimes, overcharging is done by accident, like when someone makes a ... Read more
The post Taxi Driver Apologizes After Overcharging Passenger in Davao appeared first on PhilNews.
Bea Alonzo and Belle Mariano were among the celebrities who showed love for Lolit Solis Kapuso actress Bea Alonzo sent flowers to the late showbiz writer-talent manager Lolit Solis. To recall, there was a rough chapter between Lolit and Bea. That was the time when the showbiz writer was sharing negative write-ups about the actress. ... Read more
The post Bea Alonzo Sends Flowers, Belle Mariano Gives “Abuloy” To Lolit Solis appeared first on PhilNews.
BRENTFORD held informal talks with former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou about replacing Thomas Frank, reports claim.
It would have been an incredible job swap shortly after Frank was named Postecoglou’s successor at Spurs, following the Aussie’s brutal sacking by Daniel Levy.
Frank almost instantly emerged as the red-hot favourite to succeed Postecoglou at the helm, after Tottenham’s 17th Premier League finish was too much to bear.
And the Dane, 51, was later confirmed as Spurs’ new gaffer just days later after agreeing a three-year deal.
The swift turnaround left Brentford searching for a new manager to replace Frank, who established the Bees as a solid Premier League club during his seven-year tenure.
Brentford appointed Keith Andrews, the club’s former set-piece coach, as their new boss late last month after weeks of speculation.
But The Athletic have now revealed that Brentford director of football Phil Giles held informal discussions with Postecoglou.
The report does state that the 59-year-old was not interviewed for the role, as both parties agreed moving forward was not the best option.
Brentford also considered former Ajax manager Francesco Farioli, who has now joined Porto, before promoting Andrews.
Andrews, a former Republic of Ireland international and Premier League star, joined the Bees as a set-piece coach last summer and has not been a No 1 before at senior level.
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The 44-year-old’s familiarity with the squad and strong presentation ensured he was the first-choice candidate.
Giles said about his decision: “There’s always going to be some degree of risk.
“It’s more risky to go and get a coach we don’t know from a club where the environment might be different or maybe people around them made them successful.
“This is actually quite a low-risk appointment because I know how good Keith is.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has been linked with jobs in the Saudi Pro League, but now it looks as though Major League Soccer could come calling.
MLS side Los Angeles FC are considering replacing Steve Cherundolo with the former Premier League boss after a poor Club World Cup run.
LAFC took just one point from matches against Chelsea, Esperance and Flamengo.
Trophies
Coaching career
HOMEOWNERS could be wiping more than £100k off the value of their property by failing to spot buyer turn-offs.
Garden gnomes may seem harmless but can bring down property prices by £12,000, according to Churchill Home Insurance.
Property expert Jonathan Rolande says: “You can accidentally reduce the price of your home by tens of thousands with seemingly innocent improvements or garden features.
“Before making any changes to your home, remember they can significantly impact value.
“Always bear in mind the everlasting truth about the housing market: First impressions are non-negotiable.”
Here, the property valuer and former estate agent, who has 25 years’ experience, reveals the shocking ways homeowners are accidentally sabotaging their own sales by knocking off more than £100,000 in value . . .
Exterior paint represents one of the most significant value destroyers of your home and could devalue your pad by £8,000.
Properties painted in bold, unconventional colours consistently struggle to sell as buyers factor in repainting costs and question the owner’s overall decision making.
Buyers want move-in-ready properties that need no immediate work.
With more than 95 per cent of home searches beginning online, appearance will make the difference between a buzz of interest and a property flop.
Overgrown hedges shaped like animals may seem charming but they trim property values too.
The topiary displays suggest high maintenance for a new buyer and can indicate an eccentric character who may not appeal to mainstream buyers as they will wonder what quirks will be revealed inside the home.
Gardens filled with a faux lawn or plastic plants may seem a good idea but devalue homes by up to £7,500.
Although artificial landscaping eliminates maintenance, it raises questions about property upkeep standards.
Buyers could find it off-putting as more people seek environmentally friendlier homes.
Fake grass comes with a significant carbon footprint plus it has been proven to cause microplastic shedding.
The driveway is one of the first things a potential buyer will see.
If it doesn’t look sleek, tidy and easy to maintain, this can be ruinous for your selling price.
Driveways covered in artificial turf present practical concerns of how to park a vehicle, alongside aesthetic concerns, typically reducing values by £4,000.
Driveways that are covered with oil stains and strewn with spare car parts will also trigger a value cut.
Mess will ruin estate agent photos and surveyors might alert the buyer to ground-contamination issues and the fact there are likely to be neighbour disputes.
FEATURES that might seem attractive to current owners can create problems for buyers, Jonathan warns.
He advises: “My top tip is for sellers to walk around their home, starting at the front door, as if they were a potential buyer seeing it for the first time.
“How does it look, feel and even smell?
“Buyers reward sellers who offer normality and standard presentation.”
Still got a life-size Santa or Rudolph on your roof?
Get Father Christmas farther away, as year-round decorations potentially wipe off £10,000.
Tinsel in July suggests poor property maintenance, or a home that has been sitting on the market since December.
Anything that raises questions like this needs to be given a festive fling into the tip.
For a property to reach its top asking price, you need to make it appealing to every buyer who sees it on your estate agent’s books.
To do this, it needs to have no quirks — and the top one that will leave the seller far from flush is a Portaloo or outdoor toilet.
A lav in the garden can create such a strong buyer reaction that it could slash £12,000 to £15,000.
You want your little ones to have a fun place to play.
But with my knowledge of the property market, I would warn you not to turn outside spaces into a kiddy kingdom.
Front gardens converted into play areas typically reduce property values by £15,000.
While family-friendly features sell, front garden play equipment creates an impression of overcrowding and a lack of space.
Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers.
1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving
Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out – holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway.
Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month.
2. Have a realistic property search
Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it?
3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes
The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they’re great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London.
4. Consider buying with another person
Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner.
You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven’t already.
5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order
A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs.
Many Brits have graves for beloved pets in their gardens, but this is a huge no-no.
While Fido’s final resting place is poignant to you, to others it screams creepiness — think author Stephen King’s bone-chilling novel Pet Sematary.
Animal graveyards in gardens could wipe off £15,000, as buyers will not want your sad memories ruining their new start.
Also, burial plots should never be in contact with any water sources and must be a minimum of three feet deep.
An improperly dug pet burial can land you a fine of £5,000.
When it comes to kerb appeal, your front door does the talking.
So as you reach for that paintbrush, consider colours.
Entrances swathed in unappealing hues like muted brown typically cost £4,000 in lost value.
Conversely, the property website sellhousefast.uk found blue is the most valuable front door shade and can add a whopping £4,000 to your house price.
Having a house number is essential for legal and practical reasons.
While you have no control over your door number (some can be perceived as more desirable than others by certain buyers for superstitious reasons), you can choose how to optimally present it.
Something as simple as the house number being displayed in glittery fairy lights can reduce prices by £3,500 as people do not want the hassle of replacing something that is not to their taste.
Filling your garden shed with personal things is a given and not an issue value-wise, just don’t add your personality to the outside.
Garden sheds decorated artistically, with graffiti-style art, will typically devalue properties by £5,500. The market consistently proves that difference doesn’t sell.
Buyers like what is considered the norm.
Neighbours who put gnomes in their front garden reduce the prices of surrounding houses by £12,000 — while placing the ornaments in your own garden has the same effect.
Anything that detracts from the size and tidiness of the garden is directly reflected in a lowering of price.
It is not just the fantasy statues that bring sales down.
The same goes for decrepit sheds or summer houses, a broken lawn mower in view or even a tatty kids’ swing.
My top advice is: If you are selling, then tidy that yard.
TOTAL LOSS: £105,500
BOOST your property value in hours with these great tips from Jonathan . . .
MOW THE LAWN – adds £3,000
CUTTING grass, trimming hedges and cleaning weeds from paths makes your home look loved from the moment a potential buyer sets eyes on it.
JET WASH DRIVEWAY – adds £2,000
IN just an hour, you can remove years of household grime with a borrowed pressure washer. It will give that all-important first impression of a home that is ready to move into.
HANGING BASKETS or PLANT POTS – adds £2,000
HOMES along a street often look similar, but by splashing £20 out on a couple of brightly coloured hanging baskets or pots filled with hydrangeas, your house will stand out from the rest.
FRESHEN WALLS – adds £4,000
HOUSES can look scruffy to new eyes, so paint high foot-traffic areas like halls, stairs and landings to smarten them up. Remove stickers and remnants of Blu Tac from kids’ bedrooms.
RESEAL/SCRUB GROUT – adds £2,000
THERE may be nothing wrong with your bathroom and kitchen – from your point of view. But tiny dots of mould and grime jump out at buyers and it’s a simple job to fix them.
NEW LIGHT SWITCHES – adds £600
YOU can buy light switches for less than a fiver from DIY stores and they can lift a room hugely. If you don’t want to fork out for an electrician, just add some clip-on covers that can cost as little as £2.
UP THE ECO ANTE – adds £6,000
LOW energy bulbs and loft insulation add value by boosting your Energy Performance Certificate rating. This is the measure of a building’s energy efficiency and knowing it’s low is a win for new owners.
WASH WINDOWS – adds £400
CLEAN windows allow natural light to flood your home, making it appear brighter and more spacious to potential buyers. There is also a huge amount of kerb appeal to a house that literally sparkles.
A late-night bus journey turned into a terrifying ordeal after a Phuket-bound tour bus flipped over on a notorious bend, injuring 11 people and stranding dozens more in the pouring rain. At 8.30pm yesterday, July 8, Police Lieutenant Sunantha Rotphet of Phetchaburi City Police Station received reports of the accident on the southbound stretch of …
The story Rainy horror: Phuket-bound tour bus topples in ‘killer curve’ crash as seen on Thaiger News.