Des Cullen 🏁🇮🇪🏁

🇾🇪 A Tribute to Stuart 'Pancho' Pearson, The Man Who Helped United Rise Again 🧵   "Jesus saves, but Pearson nets the rebound!" Forty odd years on and it's still one of the best banners made about a footballer.   The year was 1974. Manchester United had just been relegated. The club that had conquered Europe six years earlier was playing Second Division football, and they needed someone to lead them back.   They found their man in a telephone engineer from Hull. 🔴 A proper working lad Before he ever kicked a ball as a professional, Stuart Pearson was training as a telephone engineer back home in Hull. Hardly the background you'd expect for one of United's most beloved strikers. That working-class graft never left him, and it showed in the way he played. ⚪️ How "Pancho" got his name (And it's not what most fans think) Here's one that surprises a lot of people. The nickname actually originated with another United player, Mark Pearson, who had long sideburns, "Pancho" being a shortened version of Francisco, a name that gained worldwide recognition from the Mexican revolution era. When Tommy Docherty went to Hull City as assistant manager, there were already two Pearsons at the club who were called Pancho, so Tommy started calling Stuart the same thing. As Pancho himself put it: "I didn't have a moustache or grow long sideburns. So, no, that is all it was. All of my team-mates called me it, but I've been called worse from the opposition players!" 1/5 #Pancho #MUFC #ManchesterUnited

A Statement from Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy on the situation in Lebanon.

The threat of NATO’s break-up, easing sanctions on Russia, a massive energy crisis in Europe, halting aid for Ukraine and blocking the loan for Kyiv by Orbán - it all looks like Putin’s dream plan.

Today we celebrate 34 years of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Ireland 🇺🇦🇮🇪 Over more than three decades, our partnership has grown stronger through shared values, mutual respect, and unwavering support. We are grateful to Ireland and its people for their solidarity with Ukraine. Together, we continue to build a future based on peace, cooperation, and resilience.

I discussed the priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency in the second half of this year with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Defense of Ireland Helen McEntee. For Ukraine, it is very important that the principle of opening clusters for a country that fulfils its obligations finally starts to work. I provided a detailed briefing on the results of my visits to countries in the Middle East and the protection system that Ukraine proposed there. We are ready to work in the same format with European partners, both on a bilateral basis and within the SAFE instrument. In all dimensions, Europe must be protected, and Ukrainian expertise can make a significant contribution to security. I thank Ireland for all its support – military, humanitarian, and energy-related. I am personally grateful to Helen McEntee for taking part in the Bucha Summit, which took place yesterday, on the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupiers.

A pioneer reborn. 💛 Introducing the Lola T70S.

Coffee with this pair , happy birthday/anniversary and well done @JimMcCabeFM

"Be the person your dog thinks you are.” - Ricky Gervais

All you need to know as we unveil the world’s first sustainable classic. Read more ➡️ tinyurl.com/ms45aw6m

For those asking where they can hear my interview with Max - this is it. Part of the Chequered Flag 🏁 podcast… bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/…

Drunken elephants really do exist, and their chaotic behavior is hilarious. Thanks to fermented marula fruit (which has an alcohol content similar to that of beer), these gentle giants end up getting drunk.

Lady, Man, wheelchair and Dalek , Not a shower

@Gerashchenko_en Formula Boss Ireland pit crew for the Dalco lola

Sometimes I feel like discussing some "normal" topics. I've mentioned already that I like opera. I also like astronomy - looking into a telescope, seeing galaxies. Poetry is also a favorite. One of my favorite poets is Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī. What are your hobbies?

@DerekDaly500 The fence has a few questions to answer

Safest race cars in the world…

Woah, Casey O'Gorman take a bow! Front row in just his 7th Moto3 start - and 1st time here at COTA. The lad has some talent. First Irish front row in GP racing since?

Those barriers and catch fencing about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

History made by @gorman_o who's the first Irish rider to get a #Moto3 front row 🇮🇪 #USGP 🇺🇸

Formula Boss Ireland @BOSSIrl season launch at the Springfield Hotel Lexlip

Last night, the Russians launched a massive strike on Odesa. There was no military purpose whatsoever – this was pure terror against ordinary civilian life. Over 60 drones were used in the strike on the city. Sadly, there is extensive damage. Among the sites hit were a maternity hospital, ordinary residential buildings, businesses, as well as the port and critical infrastructure. Our services continue to work on the ground wherever needed, providing assistance. Tragically, as of now, one person has been reported killed. My condolences to their family and loved ones. More than ten people have been wounded, including a child. There were also strikes overnight in the Poltava and Dnipro regions. Each such strike proves that Russia has no intention of ending this war. That is why any easing of pressure on it is dangerous. And coordinated efforts to protect people and lives will help us, help our country’s defense and our diplomacy. I thank all our partners who are working with us and supporting our people. We are working with everyone to give our country more strength and more capacity to protect life in Ukraine every day and every night: our cities and villages, our infrastructure. Collective defense and coordinated action can deliver the most effective results.

Happy Birthday, David 🥳 #McLarenF1