Pre-kickoff Aviva Pagentry

http://www.independent.ie/woman/cele...-29525349.html
http://darkroom.sundayworld.com/800/...3bf52c1d1421b/
I saw this article about Johnny D's new best friend model Nadia Forde being chosen to sing the Anthem at Sweden game next month and it served to remind me how ridiculously dragged out the beginning of matches are at the Aviva these days. I think there's about 10 minutes of the players hanging around on the pitch before kick-offs between dignitaries, Anthems, Fair Play speeches, big screen video tributes and minute silences! Personally I find minute silences happen more often than not nowadays and are a load of ******** in my opinion unless there is a genuine tragedy on the day of the match. To have players enter the pitch and then to stand still for 10 minutes is an absolute atmospheric buzz-kill in my opinion... no wonder Ciaran Clark passed then ball to the Austrian's early on in March, sure the pure lad was probably lulled to sleep by the nonsense before the game!

All part of the "spectacle".

Where's the photo from, by the way? Smooth; only thing missing is drool from his gob.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Where's the photo from

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http://www.sundayworld.com/entertain...the-dancefloor

I don't know who this person is, and I wish I didn't know who her new best friend was.

I'm surprised this does not tickle many of your fancies. I could see Sullivino pretending not to like it but way liking it.

Here's Nadia like a trooper going through rehearsals for the anthem yesterday. This new initiative by the FAI to have Irish "celebrities" singing the national anthem spells danger as no doubt the spectre of Ronan Keating would be on the horizon should we reach the playoffs....:(
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...86001982_n.jpg

that's prime for photoshopping....!

The astroturf is looking good;)

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Originally Posted by Grafter

This new initiative by the FAI to have Irish "celebrities" singing the national anthem spells danger as no doubt the spectre of Ronan Keating would be on the horizon should we reach the playoffs....:(

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'Tis a slippery slope indeed. One which could only culminate in Sinéad O'Connor tearing up a photo of Trapattoni on the Mineirão pitch in Belo Horizonte, as we prepare to face group winners Colombia with only pride to play for.

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Originally Posted by Junior

The astroturf is looking good;)

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play on!

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Originally Posted by Grafter

Here's Nadia like a trooper going through rehearsals for the anthem yesterday. This new initiative by the FAI to have Irish "celebrities" singing the national anthem spells danger as no doubt the spectre of Ronan Keating would be on the horizon should we reach the playoffs....:(
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...86001982_n.jpg

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So I was sitting in my office (Which is about 500m from Lansdowne) yesterday and I was thinking, "Jaysus, am I going mad or is that the National Anthem?"

Thanks for solving the mystery.

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Originally Posted by Junior

The astroturf is looking good;)

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It's nice to see somebody wearing a watch.

Have no idea how good/bad a singer Nadia is and i hope it goes well for her BUT i really hate singers /bands coming onto the pitch and doing the anthem

Anthem shud be sung by just the crowd and the anthem background music - think it makes for more a passionate atmosphere which is what the players need on big nights like tomorrow


Really wish it was done this way tomorrow nite

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Originally Posted by geysir

It's nice to see somebody wearing a watch.

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Very nice weather. Is it expected to remain so for Friday evening?

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Very nice weather. Is it expected to remain so for Friday evening?

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Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be another cool, fresh, day, with sunny spells and scattered showers. Some of the showers will be heavy, with a risk of thunder, especially in the southwest. More persistent rain will develop along east and northeast coasts later. Breezy, with moderate to fresh north to northwest winds. Highest temperatures 13 to 16 degrees, highest in the east and southeast


I feel like Joan Blackburn now

Congratulations to both Shane Long and Anthony Pilkington who it is rumoured have been nominated for a "Mellberg Award" for services to Beards. It is suspected that the lucky winner will be presented with their Award prior to kickoff tomorrow by the bearded Swedish pioneer himself!:rolleyes:

http://www.getprice.com.au/images/up...2c4501ba6d.jpg

Is she getting paid for this? I would prefer the crowd belting out Amhrán na bFhiann, but good luck to Nadia and it is another great idea by John Delanney, to follow on the pipe bands from Achill and Aranmore. He reminds me a lot of Charlie Haughey when he was in charge of the country, always has the common touch and understands what the ordinary people want.

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Originally Posted by wonder88

Is she getting paid for this? I would prefer the crowd belting out Amhrán na bFhiann, but good luck to Nadia and it is another great idea by John Delanney, to follow on the pipe bands from Achill and Aranmore. He reminds me a lot of Charlie Haughey when he was in charge of the country, always has the common touch and understands what the ordinary people want.

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http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt...alnuo1_500.jpg

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Originally Posted by wonder88

Is she getting paid for this? I would prefer the crowd belting out Amhrán na bFhiann, but good luck to Nadia and it is another great idea by John Delanney, to follow on the pipe bands from Achill and Aranmore. He reminds me a lot of Charlie Haughey when he was in charge of the country, always has the common touch and understands what the ordinary people want.

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Drink?

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Originally Posted by back of the net

Have no idea how good/bad a singer Nadia is and i hope it goes well for her BUT i really hate singers /bands coming onto the pitch and doing the anthem

Anthem shud be sung by just the crowd and the anthem background music - think it makes for more a passionate atmosphere which is what the players need on big nights like tomorrow


Really wish it was done this way tomorrow nite

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It was dreadful. The slowest version I ever heard and had the crowd almost falling asleep trying to stay with her.