Yellow go down, AGAIN! A-League Grand Final 2008 ~ Mariners V Jets

What a season, highs, more highs, then extreme lows as we nearly throw the Minor Premiership away.
Then more highs as we scrape thru and come good at the end to win the Minor Premiership and then manage to win against all odds in a home semi final against Newcastle to get our place in the Grand FInal.
In what was one of the toughest final series in the A-League history. The Mariners had every opportunity to get ahead and finally take it home after a disappointing loss in Series 1 against Sydney.

But when Newcastle beat Queensland in the second semi final, the F3 derby rematch was on, and the Jets wanted revenge. And with the only goal scored by Bridge for the Jets, the mariners could not manage to get up, throwing everything at the Jets and then some more, it was absolutely heartbreaking to see the Mariners lose in the Finals.

The Jets have played well this season, there is no denying, but this game was shocking. Bad umpiring lead to a blatant handball in the final minutes being ignored, a penalty that could of forced the Jets into extra time for the third week running. Something the Mariners would of surely capitalized on after a week of rest.

But that was not to be, frustrations ran high, and Danny Vukovic showed his frustration a little too much when he high fived the referee and was sent off with a red card and suspension that will ultimately see the Olyroos keeper miss the Olympics.

And then to top it off Aloisi signs with arch rivals Sydney after turning down a $1million deal with the Mariners. Well you can have him!

The Mariners are still the team that has made it to more finals than any other team, not bad for a team no one ever rated. It was a great season for the Mariners supporters. Just didnt have that storybook ending. Maybe next year.

Sonic Youth Play Daydream Nation ~ Enmore Theatre

Great concept, well least thats what I thought when I got tix for the Day Dream Nation tour. But I have to say I found it very limiting for Sonic Youth. Confined by the album, the gig was very orchestrated.

Support band The Scientists from Western Australia played Blood Red River. In all honesty I didnt know much about the history of The Scientists and how influencial they had been on the early Oz music scene until I looked them up on the net and did a wee bit of research. Fronted by band member I did know from his later stuff, Kim Salmon, The Scientists were great, and Blood Red River is an album, after hearing live id be very interested in hearing the recorded copy done back in day.

There was some song highlights for me for Sonic Youth,'Eric's Trip' I loved and well they nailed 'Teenage Riot' but it was only in the encore that they really let go and where I believe they truly found their feet. Playing stuff from Dirty, Jet Set, Trash and No Star, and latest release Rather Ripped, plus Im sure a few other albums, because the Encore and then the second Encore was more like a marathon of great Sonic Youth tracks one after the other, the next one better than the last.

It was like Day Dream Nation was the entree, and the two encores that we were privileged to hear were main course, desert, coffee and nightcap all rolled into one. Oh I do love Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon has still got it and front row in the gallery at the Enmore is no better place to be.

Only in Ireland...

From Breaking News

"A puppet could represent Ireland in this year’s Eurosong, it emerged today.

Children’s favourite Dustin The Turkey has been plucked as one of six finalists destined to take the stage in Belgrade this May.

And it will be up to Irish television viewers to decide if the cult figure’s performance of Irelande Douze Pointe – a parody of Eurovision – will ruffle some feathers at the song contest.

Dustin, one of Ireland’s leading stars since he joined 'The Den' with fellow puppets Zig and Zag in the 1990, will perform live on air in the the Irish final later this month.

The bird is no stranger to being in the limelight having recorded six albums and performed duets a host of comical duets with artists such as Bob Geldof, Chris De Burgh, Ronnie Drew, Dervla Kirwan and the late Joe Dolan.

But after a number of years in the wilderness, Dustin The Turkey said he has decided to return to the recording studio in an effort to restore his nation’s position as the High Kings Of Eurovision.

He says it’s a selfless act based on his desire to help his country as he believes there is a direct link between the recent downturn in the economy, his lack of musical output and our poor showing in the Eurovision over the last number of years.

Darren Smith and Simon Fine – who have composed the track with Dustin - previously collaborated on Crazy Turkey from Dustin’s bestselling album 'Bling When Your Minging'.

Ireland’s glory in the European wide song contest has taken a battering in recent years.

Despite winning the Eurovision a record seven times – in 1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 – it was third last in 2004, failed to qualify in 2005, and although Brian Kennedy was placed in the top 10 in 2006, and the trad group Dervish came last last year."