Mongolia was in the deep throes of a political crisis in 2008. Max Wiggins deftly describes the impact that Neidan Tuvshinbayar’s maiden Olympic gold medal for his country in judo healed all tensions for the developing nation. [Great to have you back Max – Ed]
Stab Punt Jim Johnson – one of the Almanac’s many characters
August 8, 2019 by 1 Comment
The Almanac has unearthed many characters over the years – octogenarian Jim Johnson is one of them. Jim is best know as the inventor of the stab punt and we’ve shared his research previously on the site. But what about the man himself? Ian Hauser tells the story of Jim’s life.
Je m’en fous
August 2, 2019 by 6 Comments
As always, Earl O’Neill presents his thought provoking comments on sport, and other odds’n’ends, in his carefree and inimitable style as you will see.
Almanac Local Footy – MCUE v GGGM: Grassroots footy at its best!
August 1, 2019 by 4 Comments
Ah, country sport at the local Reserve on a Saturday afternoon! Peter Clark brings us an important clash between two of the Riverina Football Netball League’s amalgamated clubs, MCUE and GGBM. See if you can get your mouth around these two names!
Almanac Memoir: My Grandfather Played Hurling
August 1, 2019 by 16 Comments
Smokie favours us with this story of his beloved grandfather, Neddy Dawson, and ponders the appropriate curation of Neddy’s century-old Hurley.
Gaelic football v Aussie Rules: Is there a connection?
July 26, 2019 by 1 Comment
Browny has come up with a thought-provoking argument that looks at the similarities between the beginnings and development of Gaelic and Australian Football over the years since the mid 19th century.
The ultimate injured testicle listicle
July 25, 2019 by 7 Comments
What is a testicle listicle? ‘Listicles are often derided — quite fairly — as cheap, lazy content,’ writes Gigs. ‘But as someone who is cheap and lazy, and who loves lists and writing articles, I find the idea of creating one kind of attractive. For me, though, it has to be a listicle with a twist.’ Read on with caution – only Gigs could come up with this one which includes suffering sportsmen like Scott Thompson and Bumble!
Almanac (Gaelic) Football and Golf – The Lowry’s Eyes are Smiling
July 24, 2019 by 8 Comments
Peter Baulderstone knew about the British Open golf win of Irishman Shane Lowry at spectacular rainswept Royal Portrush on the weekend. This is the less known story of Shane’s father Brendan and Uncle’s Sean and Michael winning the All Ireland Gaelic football title in 1982 for minnow Offaly against the might of county Kerry going for a historic fifth successive win. Great video highlights of the best football you will see all week.
Rare Book Week – Rare Sports Books and Ephemera (Wednesday July 10th)
July 8, 2019 by Leave a Comment
The MCC Library’s Rare Book Week is in full swing – coming up on Wednesday (July 10th) is a panel discussion all about books and other items collected by the panelists, who include Gideon Haigh and Rusty Jackson. [This is a public event – you do not need to be an MCC member to attend. You just need to book. Ed.]
Almanac Golf – Golf Returns to its Roots: The Irish Open at Lahinch
July 4, 2019 by 5 Comments
Peter Baulderstone celebrates the Irish Open golf starting tonight on the rugged Lahinch links in the South West. Golf as god intended on emerald green fairways amid towering dunes along the Atlantic shore. The history of Lahinch is generous, tragic and wonderful. As with all things Irish.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Ode to jOe” by Andy Thurlow
July 1, 2019 by 7 Comments
Author and ex-teacher Andy Thurlow is visiting the Netherlands and is ‘absolutely fascinated with the way the Dutch use their bicycles’. This poem spilled out as a consequence. (I fear that Andy may have spilled out some other things after the Power’s loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night! – Ed.)
‘Louie’s 87…….And Still Kicking……’ – by K B Hill
June 27, 2019 by 1 Comment
KB Hill brings us the delightful story of Lou Cesa who, according to his wife Roma, is still kicking on at 87 and can’t get enough off the footy! Lou is yet another Wangaratta-based personality who personifies the success of immigrant families who have contributed so much to both our country and our game.
Almanac Golf – Golf Capital: Brooks’ double among New York rabble
May 23, 2019 by 2 Comments
Hamish Neal with his weekly golf report which features the US PGA win of Brooks Koepka and includes some strong views about New York’s golfing crowds.
2019 Cricket World Cup Final – That’s a Draw, Mate!
Michael Viljoen certainly has his thinking cap on this week. Following on from his ‘epic journey of biblical proportions’ earlier in the week, he’s now trying to undo the Gordian knot of how to fairly decide the outcome of a tied ICC World Cup Final. He gives us several options to consider.