Almanac History: Are there any Leahys out there?

Are there any Leahys out there? Following a discussion about the Leahy family, JJ Leahy sent us this fascinating collection of short tales about his family heritage. I’m sure he would appreciate any further info. [Family history is so interesting – JTH]

Some new Leahy information has come to hand thanks to David Leahy. Read his comment.

Almanac (Backyard) Cricket: Queensland conditions

The Bank Road Christmas Test did not disappoint. J.J. Leahy gives his analysis which includes a recognition of the man of the match – a large python. “Its sighting,” writes JJ, “attracted the attention of some of the neighbours who gathered under the poinciana tree on the front footpath to share a pitcher of Pimms, and observe the serpent.” [Photos included – Ed]

Almanac Rugby League – Queensland Cup: The battle of the Bayside – football with soul

Queensland Cup Rugby League Grand Final 2012: Wynnum Manly Seagulls 20 d Redcliffe Dolphins 10 by JJ Leahy The initial convict settlement in Queensland was established at Redcliffe on the shores of Moreton Bay in 1824.  However, it was moved in the next year up the Brisbane River to the current site of the CBD. [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – From the Lang Park terrace: State of Origin 1985

I have strong memories of a State Of Origin at Lang Park in 1985. JP Strano rang me that morning and suggested we go. In those days, you could stroll at lunchtime to the ticket sellers in the City and procure tickets at an affordable price. As Jack and I walked out onto the street, it began to [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – A forward explains rugby league

It is largely unknown to players and followers of the modern game that rugby league started off purely as a contest between opposition forwards, loosely divided between running into each other and taking no prisoners in set scrums. This pitted six men of statuesque physique, supreme fitness and superior intelligence in packs against one another. [Read more]

Warner continues. And so do the Indian batting woes.

Australia V India – Perth, Day 2 – 14 January 2012   India 161 & 88/4 Australia 369   Events surrounding this match have unearthed one of Cricket’s greatest conspiracies, the existence of The International Cricket Curators Association (India Excluded) and the weird rituals practised by their members to thwart the plucky Indian players in [Read more]

Two captains and two old prime ministers

India 191 Australia 4/482 This was one of Test Cricket’s memorable days. A resurgent Australian XI againt a fading Indian XI. Australia were in real trouble when Ricky Ponting came to the wicket at 8/2 late yesterday. They were no further advanced when Ed Cowan got a poor umpiring decision shortly thereafter ( 2 out [Read more]

Australia on top

Australia V New Zealand – 1st Test – Woolloongabba Cricket Ground – Day 3 – 3 November, 2011 JJ Leahy New Zealand 295 & 10/1 Australia 427 First Session The grey leaden clouds of the first two days had been replaced white puffy ones barely moving against clear blue sky as Australia resumed at 145/3. [Read more]

Let’s Select The Test Side

  by J.J. Leahy The new selection panel and coach should take some bold steps to plot the future Assuming all are fit, here is my team – 1.     Shane Watson – still needed to open, but should go down to six so that he can contribute with the ball in the longer term 2.     [Read more]

South Africa V Australia – Johannesburg – Second test – Sunday

20 November 2011 – Day 4 South Africa 266 & 339 Australia 296 and 143/3   First Session South Africa resumed with an overnight lead of 199 and seven second wickets in hand. It was to be an extended two and a half hour session with an early start due to time lost on the [Read more]

The Agony & The Ecstasy

Rugby World Cup 2011 Semi-Finals Review – Finals Preview   by JJ Leahy The Semi Finals France 9 d Wales 8 Rugby is the number one sport in Wales and their team carries the hopes and the weight of a nation in the same way as the All Blacks do for New Zealand. In the late [Read more]

Rugby World Cup: Review/Preview

Rugby World Cup 2011 Quarter Final Review – Semi Final Preview  There Were Eight – Now There Are Four JJ Leahy     The Quarter Finals The makeup of the final eight teams were as most would have expected, but not some of the results on the way through were not.

Does The A League Have A Soul?

By JJ Leahy Team sports, whether you play them or watch them, are all about tribalism – Country against Country, State against State, City Against City, District against District, Town Against Town, Suburb against Suburb, Village against Village, School against School, Club against Club, Us against Them. The Football Federation of Australia attempted to redefine [Read more]

The Sheffield Shield – A Faded Glory

by JJ Leahy Many years ago, there were summers when no visiting cricket team toured Australia and no Australian team ventured offshore. The Sheffield Shield was the pinnacle of the sporting summer. The Test players turned out for their sides including the greats Bradman, Miller, Grimmet, O’Reilly, Benaud, etc. Big crowds attended the matches, media coverage was extensive, [Read more]

The Rugby World Cup so far

Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool Matches : The Davids v The Goliaths by J J Leahy Only four nations have won the six Rugby World Cups held to date – South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia. A fifth country, France, have played in two Grand Finals. These are “The Goliaths”. The remaining 14 countries [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – You may not like the teams but you had to like the game they played

    Many-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 d. New Zealand Warriors 10     JJ Leahy   If you support a team in any sporting competition, over time you will inevitably develop a pecking order of the other participants from your next favoured to your most disliked. For most supporters of teams other than this years grand [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – The Year of The Seagulls

Queensland Cup Rugby League Grand Final 2011 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 16 d Tweed Heads Seagulls 10 by JJ Leahy The Queensland Cup is one of two Rugby League competitions that sit at a level below the National Rugby League. The other is its New South Wales counterpart. It is contested by five clubs from  Brisbane [Read more]