Jackie I too saw Madonna last night. Frankly she was pretty awful, didn't project in the theatre environment and was shown up by the real actors around her. Having said that most of the audience (including a large contingent from her sizeable gay fan base) were just happy to be breathing the same air as the Material Girl and whooped and cheered almost her every line - particularly the ones with ironic or sexual content. Why she puts herself through this is beyond me. She has always been an ego-centric, manipulative star who I have never had much time for apart from the odd song or two. I have even less now she hob nobs with landed gentry who try to pass themselves off as mockneys, make naff gangster movies, and go around shooting animals (hello Mr Ritchie).

Before anyone asks I was given my ticket to see the play by a friend who couldn't make it. Perhaps I should have sold it outside to touts who were offering up to £200 for a ticket. Great recent Madonna quote when asked about going shooting with Guy - 'Now I know more about how nature works' (by killing it obviously!!).

Well done Ireland, I actually watched the game which must be a record for me. Not a big Madonna fan at all but I think she gets a lot of stick because she is a successful woman who does what she wants. A lot of the flack she gets wouldnt be levelled at a man in the same situation.What happening to me, Im watching football being PC.Totally agree that Guy Ritchie is an arse.

3-0. Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole. Come on Nigeria the whole of Ireland is behind you!

Thats a coincidence.I was flying back from Russia a few years ago via Helsinki, where I bought some bear soup and some Reindeer soup.

Alex, I presume your going via Dublin.If so can you let me know the times and dates of arrival and departure as derek is looking to share car hire costs.

Rick I take it you didnt enjoy Madonna. I like people who speak as they find. I found her amazing. The play was rubbish

I got to see some of the Ireland game since it was my lunchtime. Kilbane did better as a left back than he does for Sunderland on the wing. I'm not too sure about the whole of Ireland being behind Nigeria. I would imagine that most of the Irish team who actually earn their living in England would prefer England to go through. Just think Liam how much better it would be if Ireland beat England in the final! My dad has just had a coronary artery bypass graft today. Thankfully it seems OK so far. Hopefully he will be out of hospital by the end of the week.

Vinny. I see that the auction price for the posters are now £14.50, up from the original starting price of £12.00. If there are 100 for sale should we be trying to outbid each other. Or should the first 100 people to offer £12 get a poster? I believe there is a type of auction that allows for more than 1 item being sold at a fixed price.

Liam, didn't you say recently:'football, yawn, boring'?? Everybody I know wanted Ireland to qualify.

I've just seen a message from several weeks ago from Sean(Derry).It says..'The Saw Doctors are a terrible band. The worst kind of middle of the road crap. So a couple of the Undertones played with them - so what. I hear some of the Undertones shop at Tescos - Tescos needs our support - lets all rush out and get some shopping. What nonsense!'.Have to say I think this is spot on, well said Sean.

Cliff - everybody you know may have wanted Ireland to win but I'm afraid the feeling isn't mutual when it comes to England - hence the pubs festooned with Argentina flags a few days ago. Whenever England play there is as much interest here in Ireland as they is in England. However the support is always for Englands opponents. Not sure why that is - must be some silly old thing from the past!