Waffle to Leo? Actually, we had a very constructive meeting!

Wow! What a weekend!

You always say that…

Do I? Sorry!

So…what was so special?

Well, I mean, that rugby star…he glides like a…well, like someone who glides…

The Italian guy?

No! Shane Byrne! The ex-Ireland player! He was voted out of Dancing with the Stars, but what a sport he is!

That was your weekend highlight?

No!

So?

Well, I met Leo on Friday…

Mmnn…

He’s very cheerful!

Shane Byrne?

No, Leo!

So, you met him in Ballyleague-Lanesboro, I take it?

Yes! At the opening of the Lough Ree Access For All facility!

An excellent development!

Indeed!

A brief handshake?

Huh?

With Leo?

On the contrary, we…eh…joshed for a full ten minutes!

Never! We did!

On what?

On the boat!

Huh?

The committee took Leo and a few more guests out on the Shannon, on the boat. I…er…invited myself along!

PIC OF THE WEEK:

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, centre employee Mark McClean and centre Director Dorothy Coyle pictured out on the water during the official opening of the Lough Ree Access for All accessibility watersports centre in BallyleagueLanesboro last Friday.

Pic: Paul Molloy

Endangered Species

Thebarstoolboyos

(They pause to reflect on their enjoyable trip to Clones, albeit that Roscommon lost)

So…

How did you manage to smuggle yourself on to the boat?

I think they saw me as a VIP…

And you chatted to Leo?

Yes! I hinted to him about my political ambitions. As you know, I’m likely to run as an Independent, but I may also consider offers from some of the parties!

Oh dear…what will swing it for you? Policy?

Of course! Policy is everything. If there’s the odd perk, good and well!

How was Leo?

He couldn’t be sounder.

You actually waffled to him for ten minutes about your political ambitions?

Waffled! Please withdraw that! We had a very constructive meeting!

(They pause to speculate, with a touch of trepidation, about Roscommon’s chances against Mayo this Sunday)

It was a very enjoyable morning. That project’s a credit to everyone involved in setting up Access For All… Agreed!

Did you meet Ciaran Mullooly?

Yes, I went up to him and said ‘Ciaran Mullooly, ex-RTE News, on the banks of the River Shannon, Ballyleague, Co. Roscommon’…

Hilarious. NOT! Speaking of your lame quips, does Leo have a sense of humour? I guess he must if he put up with you for ten minutes!

He has! And he enjoyed mine!

Go on…

Well, when we were on the boat trip, I advised him to chat with all the entourage… as they were floating voters!

Oh dear…

And you should have seen his face when I pointed into the distance and said… ‘That’s the hard border between Longford and Roscommon!’

Creggs RFC, with a sensational win over favourites Connemara delivering a first Connacht Junior League title triumph in 27 years

All involved with Lough Ree Access for All centre (the first accessibility centre for watersports on the island of Ireland), which was officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in LanesboroBallyleague last Friday

Fans of the popular crime comedy-drama Death in Paradise, this after the BBC announced plans for two more series’ of the Carribbean-based ratings winners Manchester United, who won a first trophy in six years when defeating Newcastle United 2-0 in Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final

Holly Cairns, with the Cork TD taking over as leader of the Social Democrats following the decision of the party’s joint leaders, Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall, to step down

The Irish rugby team, with victory over Italy in Rome and Scotland’s defeat in Paris meaning Andy Farrell’s team sit proudly on top of the Six Nations’ table, their Grand Slam hopes still alive

Kildare footballers, who lost heavily to Derry in the Allianz Football League Division Two, a defeat which has not been well received by loyal fans of the Lilywhites

Varadkar visits as Dolan eyes ‘Naughten seat’

< DAN DOONER

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s visit to Roscommon and Galway last Friday came just two weeks after Denis Naughten’s announcement that he would not be contesting the next general election. Coincidence? Local Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan certainly thinks so.

“It’s an honour to have the Taoiseach visit at any time and last week it was great to have him in Ballyleague to open the new national centre for accessible watersports,” she said.

“He was going to Galway so it was very fortunate that his diary allowed him to spend some time in Roscommon and Ballinasloe too”.

Senator Dolan makes no secret of the fact that she has her heart set on a seat in the next Dáil but claims the Taoiseach’s visit to the constituency wasn’t a Fine Gael show of strength.

“The Taoiseach is of course very keen to have a senior Fine Gael voice for Roscommon-Galway and as Tánaiste he showed his support for us last year when he visited Roscommon and spent time visiting local businesses. Last Friday’s visit was a follow-up to that,” she said.

“It’s very clear that he is making this constituency a priority. I would certainly hope to contest the next general election. That is the plan anyway”.

As for an endorsement from the Taoiseach, the Ballinasloe woman says she’s just focusing on the job at hand.

“I want to continue to be a voice for RoscommonGalway and keep fighting for investment for this region and working with local groups to make sure their voices are heard,” she said.

“I see the next election as being a battle and I know this having contested the last election. When asking for someone’s vote you have to prove yourself and that’s what I am working hard to do”.