Top 3 moments of 2023 - Part 1

Closing out 2023 I thought I’d wrap up the year with my own personal favourite moments of 2023 with a three part blog on my top 3 moments of 2023.  The short list pretty much picked itself. It didnt take me long to decide to celebrate 2 footballing triumphs and a trip to an iconic stadium in Dublin.  So, for part 1, we go to a sunny day at Hampden in February.

Date - 26th February 2023

Venue - Hampden Park, Glasgow

February 2023 saw Celtic travel to Hampden for what the club and fans hoped would be the first leg of a domestic Treble.   The league cup final had produced the showdown the sponsors , TV companies, footballing authorities and fans had wanted.  Celtic were up against our city rivals and were eager to lay down a marker for the remainder if the season.

Ninety minutes later it was the fans on the East side of Hampden celebrating.  A 2-1 victory didn't  tell the full story of a dominant display from the Hoops.  Two goals from our Japanese sensation Kyogo grabbed the headlines , but a tactical masterclass from Ange Postecoglou and his squad really showed the gulf in class between the teams on the day.  The Celtic players were hungry, energetic and decisive.  We capitalised on our opponents hesitance and punished their mistakes.

The result was perfect, but the standout performance that day came from the 25000 Celtic fans wedged into our national stadium.  At no point in my previous 40 odd years going to see Celtic have I experienced anything like it.

The synergy amongst the Celtic support that day echoed something of a festival.  Everyone and I mean everyone was united in chorus.  From the Ultras sending fireworks high into the Southside sky, to those in corporate seating in the north and south stand, the atmosphere was electric.

Our opening goal came after 44 minutes.  Kyogo scored a tap in from 6 yards out, the goal sparked a 15 minute chorus of jubilation that echoed around Hampden for the entirety of the halftime break.

For our team to hear that from the dressing room, it must have been inspiring, because 10 minutes into the 2nd half we had doubled our lead.   Celtic were in control and even though we conceded a scrappy goal to make it 2-1, the result never seemed in doubt.

Part 1 of a Treble complete.  The result was great, beating our city rivals was fantastic, but for me the fans that day showed what a unified Celtic support is all about.

Big George & his Fairytale of New York

It never ceases to amaze me the emotions that can be triggered when you hear a song play.   After the sad passing of Pogues front man Shane MacGowan, the radio has been awash with the bands classic Fairytale of New York anthem.  The bittersweet love story penned by MacGowan and Pogues bandmate Jem Finer has been a Christmas staple since 1987.  Everything about the song has a way of reaching into your soul.   The musical arrangements, the video, the story and of course the chemistry between the two great singers who are sadly no longer with us.

The meteoric rise of The Pogues in the 80s was a shining beacon for Irish music and signalled an awakening for a new wave of traditional folk sounds.  My brother George was swept up in the euphoric musical movement that arrived at that time.  Well that, and the links to Irish folk and rebel music through watching Celtic over the years opened the door for George; a self taught musician to become part of the live folk music scene in Glasgow.

From the late 1980s and for almost 30 years, George was part of great live music family in Glasgow and around Scotland.   A regular in Jinty McGintys on Ashton Lane for of 20 years.  George performed in pubs and clubs across the city.  He auditioned for a role in a then new stage production under the management of legendary irish singer songwriter Phil Coulter and in 2007 George was chosen to make up part of the original lineup for Celtic Thunder.   For the next seven years he toured north America and Australia as a kind of father figure in the group.  

Fairytale of New York was as much an Easter song as it was a Christmas song for George.  No matter the time of year George would always belt out the Pogues anthem as part of his set. Whether he sang it solo or performed a duet with friends or family in the bar, Fairytale became a signature of a live performance from George.

After George's death in 2014 I struggled to listen to his songs or voice, the pain of missing my brother was; and still is at times now too much.  However, I know when I am ready there is a catalogue of songs available online where I can hear my brother doing what he loved.

A few years ago, a good friend of George’s contacted my older brother to say he found a recording that George had made for him.   The CD was a collection of some old songs George would sing in the bars in and around Glasgow and George had made the disc for his friends to take back home to Germany with them.

The recording was made at home by George, probably around 2003.   It was so nice to hear his voice back again and to once more listen to him perform Fairytale of New York.

The song will always be seen by most as a Christmas song, but for me it brings so many happy memories of going to see my brother doing what he loved.

The House That Dermot Built

The general malaise that has swept across the vast theatre we call Paradise, has been a slow burning fire that was ignited more than a few years ago.  The unparalleled success on the field over the last decade has helped mask a old problem experienced by Celtic managers and fans for years when the club was under the guidance of the Kelly family during the 1980s and 90s.

The current dynastic success on the pitch at Celtic park can only be matched by the stranglehold our regime and board of directors have over our club.  Plagued by nepotism and cronyism, the current regime have sailed a steady ship in terms of profit, divided and balance sheet.  That success has been driven by an aggressive marketing scheme pulling at the heart strings of supporters willing to pile as much cash as they earn on merchandise, season tickets and 3 to 4 new kits every season.

As fans, we cannot complain, right?   Lennon, Deila, Rodgers, Lennon (again), Big Ange and then Rodgers (again) have delivered an avalanche of silverware that is unmatched at any point in our history.  The reality is though, while we have held trophy after trophy aloft at the end of the season, the club have not progressed in terms of building a squad to look beyond domestic dominance or even compliment the talent we are allowed to enjoy for a season or two.   Our much heralded business model of buying players  and selling them for significant profit looks wonderful on the balance sheet, but provides no continuity or allows us to build on successes on the field of play.

The revolving door at the top of The Celtic Way has become a Merry-Go-Round for the same stale board members, executives and managers.   Peter Lawwell left the club, only to return shortly afterwards, this time bringing his son as head of recruitment.   Dermot Desmond, the business financer behind the club is shaping his own son as heir to the throne in Paradise.  All of this with no input from fans, not meaningful vote on succession.   It’s like the Kelly’s and Whites never left.

Celtic are a club heading in the wrong direction and the people in charge of the operation are too blind to see it.   The annual AGM passes off without any whiff of discontent , as those voices are muted and laughed at.   Any challenge to the regime is deemed insignificant and pointless and our executives laugh and lap it up  - they win every time  and pat each other on the back.

The Celts For Change group picked through the rubble of a broken football team 30 years ago and helped secure a future for our club.  The Sack the Board chants we heard in the defeat to Hearts serve as a timely reminder to our current custodians that the club always has been and always will be the fans – the longer this is ignored by the suits in the directors box, the more irreparable damage will be done.

NCAA Bowl Season, Dublin Calling & The NFL

 This weekend marks the beginning of the NCAA College Bowl season across the United States.   The next 3 and half weeks will see thousands of players, coaches, fans and students zig-zag their way across America in the hope of securing some end of season silverware for their college campus.

The NCAA Bowl season is the reward for a select few teams after a gruelling 15 or 16 week football schedule.  The festival of football kicks off today in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, North Carolina and finishes at the NRG Stadium Houston, when one of Alabama, Michigan, Texas or Washington will be crowned as National Champions.

The regular college football season came to a close last weekend in Foxborough, Massachusetts as Army secured a dramatic 17 – 11 win over Navy at the home of the New England Patriots.  The Navy Midshipmen were also involved in the season opener in a truly memorable weekend in Dublin at the end of August when the Irish came home under the banner of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Dublin and Ireland opened its doors to welcome the biggest migration of sports fans from the USA ever recorded.  From South Bend, California, New York, Belfast, Glasgow and many, many more the spectacle of a home match for Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Aviva stadium in Dublin was an event not to be missed.

Almost a week long book of events including an open air mass celebrated at Dublin Castle and a tailgate party on Notre Dame street, culminated in the Fighting Irish romping to victory and winning the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.  This was more than a game, this was an opportunity for Ireland to firmly pitch itself as a home from home for College Football.

Next August Dublin will once again roll out the red carpet for the college football elite as Georgia Tech take on the Florida State Seminoles.   This time the added spectacle of ESPNs flagship show College Game Day will be broadcast from the Irish capital.

As the appetite for Americas Game continues to grow on this side of the pond, the NFL announced another expansion to their International series matchup recently.  This announcement coupled with Pittsburgh Steelers marketing rights award in Ireland will only whet the appetite even further.

The success of the Notre Dame trip to Ireland, both in terms of income and interest generated will be a significant bargaining tool for the Irish government, tourist board and business partners to raise the question about another game, or dare I say it, an end of season bowl match up.   Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but hopefully not out of the question.

Either way, the Georgia and Florida match is another 9 months away.   In the meantime we can all enjoy the pride and passion of the college bowl season as well as the climax of yet another absorbing NFL regular season.

Shane - I hardly knew ya

Shane MacGowan was the outward symbol of what millions of people globally saw as Irishness.  He was & will forever remain at the forefront of Irish music, culture and storytelling.  From his punk days in London in the 1970s and the rise of The Pogues, to his long illness and subsequent withdrawal from public life, Shane took the torch that was passed to him from generations of Irish troubadours and used his rare abilities to reach new heights for Irish folk music.

 

It is almost 40 years since The Pogues debut album was released.  Red Roses for Me would be the initiation for many to the new wave Irish/Punk/Folk fusion that would allow the band to remain at the pinnacle of the music scene for over a decade & beyond.

For me, as an 8 year old growing up the youngest of 9 children in the east end of Glasgow, I can be thankful to my older siblings for introducing this music to me.  How we consume music has certainly changed in the last 40 years, but the lasting legacy of the unique style Shane had, means he along with The Pogues still list in my top 5 artists when it comes to Spotify Wrapped at the end of every year.

 

Shane was more than a front man.   He was a teacher, a poet, a director and a star.  He had the ability to not only paint a beautiful picture with his words, but build a set, furnish the surroundings and then make you feel like you were living and breathing every word he sang.   A one-off and a legend in his time.

 

His tour stories are legendary, all of his gigs memorable to anyone fortunate enough to be there.  I was too young to see The Pogues live first time around, but was lucky to see him play in and around Glasgow, including the reunion tour in 2002.   However to see to him play at the Barrowlands along with the full arrangement of musicians is a memory that will stay with me forever.

 

From The Pogues to The Popes, the master lyricist always produced a story that had you mesmerised from the opening chords and words.   Collaborations with Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, The Dubliners & Johnny Depp all broadened the appeal of the lovable rogue.

A genuine sadness hit me when I heard the sad news of Shanes passing.  So many happy memories of family gatherings and gigs, or introducing his music to my own children now.   Shane has been a staple of my music tastes for 4 decades and his gift to us will be that his music and poetic storytelling has already become part of the great Irish songbook, shared and cherished by those who knew him well, and folk like me who just connected with his music.

Christy Moore probably put it best "Fair play to you Shane MacGowan.......but you sure know how to write them boy"

I’ve been loving you a long time,

Down all the years, down all the days

And I’ve cried for all your troubles

Smiled at your funny little ways

Jamie Webster - Live O2 Academy Glasgow

 Sometimes, just sometimes, the stars align and for a minute or two and you feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.  Well, that was me, that was how I felt walking out of The Glasgow O2 Academy at about half ten on Friday the 10th November.  A blistering night of music and stories from Liverpool songwriter Jamie Webster lit the fire to help  take the chill out of a cold night in Glasgow's south side.

Now, my only knowledge of the latest scouse troubadour to take Glasgow by storm, was that he led the chants of the Anfield faithful as Liverpool conquered Europe in Madrid 2019, and sealed their first English premiership title in 2020.   Cover versions, football chants and a healthy loathing of the current Tory government and their policies, in fact probably Tories in general.  

My 15 year old son has become a huge fan of Webster’s music since I first introduced him to his sounds when then European champions Liverpool played Napoli at Murrayfield in 2019.   Since then he has been an avid fan and listener.  So when I picked up 2 tickets for the O2 in the day of the gig - you can imagine, he was buzzing.

From the lights being dimmed to the strains of Fatboy  Slims “Praise You", the raucous Glasgow crowd needed no invitation to launch into a chorus of “Here we, Here We, Here We Fuckin’ Go".  As Jamie and the band strolled on stage, he was given the welcome akin to a champion returning to his home town.  The stage was set and  the O2 was crackling just waiting for that switch to be flicked.

The opening chords to Voice of the Voiceless sent another charge across the Glasgow crowd.

I cant speak 

I cant dream

I cant change it so you see the world like me

But there’s a pulse

So still I try.............

The O2 just erupted.

From in front of the stage, to the balconies and behind the bar – the euphoria exploded.  There were no voiceless there, it was a united chorus, movement and cause.   Make no mistake, there was Something in the Air, a synergy that flowed the entire night.

Jamie gave a breath-taking performance along with his band.   A brilliant set list ranging from his early song writing days and cover versions, to his collaboration with Billy Bragg and his most recent album kept everyone lucky enough to be there in the palm of his hands.

The gig passed way too quickly, 18 songs including the encores were perfect.

I walked into the venue not knowing any of the songs or what to expect, the playlist my son made for the drive over was my only gauge.   I walked back to my car after the gig with a spring in my step and a wish to relive the entire night again.

It looks like I’ve got some catching up to do with Jamie Webster songs and I honestly cant wait.  If like me you’re new to his music I promise you wont be disappointed.

Catheter Ablation - My Story

No matter how many visits I’ve made to the hospital, and my specialist heart care team over the years, there is always a feeling of dread and uncertainty attached to it. Friday, 4th August 2023 was no different.  The wait for my catheter ablation operation was over, and I was being admitted to the CDU at the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank for the procedure. As someone who worries constantly, any visit to a hospital; especially one that requires a trip to theatre, will play on my mind for some time.

I have built a really strong relationship with the experts who help manage my condition. The team have been invaluable to me and my family throughout my journey.  The Scottish Congenital Adult Congenital Cardiac Services (SACCS) team at the Golden Jubilee are an incredible group of specialised practitioners who help guide me through my appointments, niggles, physical and mental struggles.   

The ablation procedure was required as treatment following my diagnosis of Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter last year.   Back then, I was admitted to hospital during my routine check up with the SACCS team.  I underwent a cardioversion procedure in March 2022 to help reset my heart rhythm.   The Ablation referral and subsequent procedure is part of the specialists plan to help provide the best quality of life for me to enjoy with family, and in every day activities.   That includes working, exercising and enjoying gigs, watching football and socialising.

Link to British Heart Foundation - Ablation Info

On arrival at the CDU ward, I was met by a nurse who showed me to my room.  I then had to don the hospital issue gown, but thankfully I managed to avoid the paper pants combo.  I chatted through my medication with the nurse and had an ECG taken as part of the admissions process.  After that, it was a waiting game for my wife and I, until it was my turn to go to the Cath Lab.

My wife Linda and I scrolled through social media, news stories, set up our fantasy football teams and spoke about anything other than my visit to the hospital.   When the doctor carrying out the procedure came in to speak to us, I could feel my anxiety building and see the impact it had on Linda, as the worry and anxiety started to show on her too.

Just after noon I was taken to the Cath Lab and prepped for the operation.   Cold gel pads and sensors were applied to my back, chest and sides.  An oxygen monitor was clipped on to my finger, blood pressure cuff wrapped around my leg and a mask over my mouth and nose.  Some bits had to be shaved before they could start the procedure, but I was relaxed, sedated and fast asleep long before the catheter tubes were inserted into my leg vein.

The expectation that I would be awake during this procedure was a significant worry, but thankfully I was sedated almost entirely through the ablation.   I recall some instances of interaction with the specialists and a few times my heart rate was increased as part of the arrhythmia mapping, but overall my three hours in the lab, very much passed me by.

On my return to the ward, I had to lie flat for around an hour to help my leg wound heal.  Gradually the nurses were able to sit me up in bed and allowed me to eat something.    Honestly, a wholemeal sandwich with ham, never tasted so good.  That, along with 2 cups of tea, was just perfect.

After around 3 hours in recovery, I was able to sit in a fully upright position. My nurse took me on a short walk around the ward to make sure I was steady on my feet.  By 8pm I was on my way home to recover with family.

How am I now?

I’m not as stiff as I was on Friday or Saturday, but still quite sore, tender and swollen around the operation site in my groin.   The bruising makes for some quite incredible artistic design and I still feel a bit vulnerable.  Every movement is calculated, just to make sure I don't bump or aggravate my wound.  I am taking short walks locally to try to rebuild my confidence and work towards reaping the benefits of the work, dedication and care offered by the NHS team at the Golden Jubilee.