MONEYGALL PUBLICAN OLLIE HAYES POURS THE PERFECT PINT FOR A VERY SPECIAL VISITOR!
As part of his much awaited visit to his ancestral home, the US President Barack Obama stepped into his ancestor’s local pub, Ollie Hayes’ bar in Moneygall Co. Offaly, where he was welcomed with a perfect pint of Guinness.
The US President visited the Offaly town, as part of his visit to Ireland, to meet his distant relatives and see the house that they grew up in.
A special delivery of a keg of Guinness was made earlier this week by Guinness Master Brewer, in anticipation of the President’s visit and much to the delight of publican Ollie Hayes and all the locals who joined him at this momentous occasion, President Obama accepted the warm welcome by sampling a pint of Guinness.
Speaking today, John Kennedy, Managing Director of Diageo Ireland said; “Today marks a fantastic day for Ireland when we welcome US President Barack Obama into Ireland for the first time. What a great occasion also for the President who has had the opportunity to meet his ancestor’s in Moneygall. It is a real honour that he chose to savour a pint of Guinness as part of his journey back to Irish roots, which truly marks an occasion that will be remembered by people all over the world for generations to come”.
Also speaking today publican Ollie Hayes said “We have been waiting in hope for this very day and I can say that is without doubt one of the proudest days of my life. It’s not every day that the US President drops by our bar for a pint of Guinness! It really is a remarkable day for all the community here in Moneygall. We are going to talk about this day for every more as the day that Moneygall made history.”
English Premier League (EPL) striker Kenwyne Jones of Trinidad and Tobago has signed up as Ambassador for the popular Guinness Street Football Challenge.
Jones, who has been showing fine form of late for Stoke City in the EPL and leads his team into the FA Cup finals on May 14, said he is excited to be a part of the tournament and is eagerly anticipating returning to the Caribbean where he can help inspire others to greatness.
“I’m honoured to represent Guinness on the Street Football Challenge. Guinness represents Greatness and the desire to reach for Greatness and that’s something I can relate to,” Jones said. “Every day I go up against some of the best players in the world and I am successful because I work towards greatness each time.”
Jones, 26, noted the significance of the tournament in fostering a sense of unity and togetherness within the communities the tournament is taking place.
“Football has long been the Caribbean’s number one sport and with Guinness focusing on communities, every man will get the chance to display his greatness through the Guinness Street Football Challenge,? Jones added.
The Guinness Street Football Challenge starts this weekend and includes footballers from the eight zones nationwide. The grand finale is set for May 28.
While in Grenada, Jones will present the medals and trophies to the winning team, interact with fans and make himself available for press interviews.
Fans of the Guinness Street Football Challenge will get a rare opportunity to challenge Jones at a skills competition during halftime of the finals. All consumers have to do is say what Greatness means to them and post it on the Guinness Caribbean Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/GuinnessCaribbean).
Posts should be made under the “Street Football Challenge”. The fan of the page who gets the most persons to agree by liking the page and commenting on their post will get the chance to challenge Jones during the halftime show of the finals. Entries close one day before final.
Jones pointed out that the Guinness Street Football Challenge is a great platform for players and fans alike to show their support and love for the game.
“The Guinness Street Football Challenge is an awesome opportunity for football players and fans to connect with something that gives them a sense of pride, enjoyment and the ability to display their greatness. Whether you’re the most skilled player or the most supportive fan on earth, this event gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that” Jones said.
Kenwyne Joel Jones (born 5 October 1984) is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City. He previously played for Sunderland, Southampton, Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday, W Connection and Joe Public.
He began his football career with Joe Public in his native Trinidad and Tobago. He moved to W Connection in 2002, and he was a utility player in the Trinidad and Tobago team in 2003 against Finland. In 2004, he joined Southampton, where he was converted to a striker.] He was later loaned to Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City during the 2004–05 season.
Early career
Jones was born in Point Fortin, Trinidad and Tobago to Lydia and Pamphile. and he attended St. Anthony's College in Trinidad along with his future Sunderland team-mate Carlos Edwards.[ His uncle, Philbert Jones was also a footballer as a prolific forward for Strike Squad that came within a point of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup and was a similar player to Kenwyne; both in style and celebration. He is married to Avalon and has three children: Isaiah, and twins Arianne and Kaelyn. His athleticism and pace, which Sunderland considered attractive, was not established until he joined Sheffield Wednesday in September and began to show his potential.
He had earlier had trials at Manchester United and Middlesbrough in 2002, and further trials at West Ham United and Rangers in 2004. Jones revealed in an interview with Simon Bird that he had to travel around Europe looking for a football club, or face a career in the Trinidad army; he said "It was hard because I'd just had my son and it was make it — or join the army. I had a family to support and at that time, it was either this is it... or I go into the services. I was ready for that life."
Club career
Jones began his professional career with Joe Public in his native Trinidad and Tobago in 2002. He soon moved to W Connection where he played for two years.
In July 2002, Jones signed for Southampton from W Connection for a nominal fee after a trial. W Connection's Chairman David John Williams described Jones' move, saying: "When Kenwyne Jones was transferred to Southampton, I told you all that he is going to be the biggest thing in Trinidad and Tobago football since beside Dwight Yorke. In December 2004, while on loan to the Football League One club Sheffield Wednesday, he scored seven goals in seven games, and returned to Southampton in January 2005 where he played in games against Liverpool and local rivals Portsmouth.
Before the start of the 2006–07 season, Jones scored a hat trick against Anderlecht in Southampton's last pre-season game, Meanwhile in the Football League Championship Jones scored two goals against Birmingham City on 29 November that ended 4–3 to Southampton. On 26 December 2006, he received the first red card of his career for a push on Mark Hudson in the match against Crystal Palace. He scored another two goals against Southend United in a 4–1 win on the last day of the season to ensure a place in the play-offs for Southampton,] following this, Jones was injured for the play-off semi-final defeat at Derby County but finished the season with 16 goals.
On 11 May 2007, Southampton manager George Burley stated that "Kenwyne is another Didier Drogba in the making, as far as physical attributes, his strength and power in the air are second to none" This followed news that Derby County wanted to sign Jones for around £5.5 million. Jones submitted a transfer request to Southampton on 24 August 2007 and went on "strike" until a move could be agreed, requesting not to be selected for the forthcoming league match against Stoke City.
On 29 August 2007, it was confirmed that he had joined Sunderland in a deal valued at £6 million with fellow-Trinidadian Stern John moving to Southampton. The Trinidadian striker made his debut for Sunderland on 1 September in a 1–0 defeat to Manchester United and scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 home win over Reading on 15 September.
Jones was linked with a £12 million player move to Liverpool in November 2007, with Peter Crouch moving to Sunderland. Jones was again linked with high profile clubs on 21 December 2007, including Chelsea and Liverpool, but Sunderland manager Roy Keane insisted that he would be going nowhere.] Jones scored his fifth goal at the Stadium of Light, with a header from the near post off a corner kick, in Sunderland's 3–1 win over Bolton Wanderers on 29 December. Chelsea captain John Terry praised Jones, saying: "Jones was fantastic and I have played against him twice now. He is a very good player, very hard working and probably the best in the air in the entire Premier League, he really is that good" after Chelsea had won the match 1–0 on 15 March 2008.
On 1 June 2008, Jones suffered a knee ligament injury in a collision with goalkeeper David James in the seventh minute of Trinidad & Tobago's 3–0 defeat against England. He made his first appearance of the 2008–09 season playing for 60 minutes in Sunderland reserve team's 2–0 victory against Wigan Athletic., followed by a return to Sunderland's first team in the Tyne–Wear derby on 25 October 2008 as a second-half substitute, when he helped Sunderland to secure a 2–1 victory over their local rivals. His first goal following his return came on 12 November in a 2–1 League Cup defeat against Blackburn Rovers. He continued his recovery from injury with a goal, again against Blackburn, on 15 November 2008 as Sunderland won 2–1.
Jones put an end to speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur by signing a 4 and a half-year contract at the Stadium of Light on 27 January 2009. After a spell of six games without a goal, Jones scored against Manchester United in a 2–1 defeat.] On 22 August Jones contributed to Sunderland's 2–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers scoring two goals. Jones again contributed with two goals for Sunderland when they were at home to Wolves on 27 September, in a 5–2 win. One goal being the highlight of the game, curling the ball home from 22yards out.]Jones scored his fifth goal of the season with a header against Manchester United, outjumping Ben Foster to give Sunderland a 2–1 lead but in the dying moments of the match at Old Trafford, Patrice Evra's shot was deflected in for an own-goal by Anton Ferdinand to level it up and end the match as a 2–2 draw. Jones scored his sixth goal of the season with a close-range header against Manchester City which City won 4–3. On 6 February, Jones scored his seventh goal of the season with another header against Wigan Athletic which ended up 1–1 at the Stadium of Light. Jones then scored again against Manchester City bringing his tally to eight, with a spectacular header at the Stadium of Light, which ended up 1–1. He also opened the scoring against Wolves on the final day of the season.
Stoke City
On 11 August 2010, Jones signed for Stoke City on a four-year-deal for a club record fee of £8 million. Jones has taken a wage cut in order to join Stoke.
"We need goals in our team and we also need strong competition among our strikers if we are to continue improving at this level."Kenwyne will give us that. It's no secret that I am one of his biggest admirers, he did a smashing job for us when he was here on loan. "He was very young back then but I believe that he has the best years ahead of him as a top striker." —Stoke Manager Tony Pulis on Kenwyne Jones.
Jones took over the number 9 shirt from the departing James Beattie who has joined Rangers. He made his second debut for City against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 14 August 2010, he made a bright start hitting the crossbar with his first shot. However after falling awkwardly from a challenge from Jody Craddock on 14 minutes Jones was forced to come off. On 13 September, Jones scored his first goal for Stoke on his home debut against Aston Villa in a 2–1 win. Jones followed this by scoring against West Ham United, Fulham in the League Cup and Newcastle United. He scored the second goal on 13 November in a 2–0 win against Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium.
After six games with out a goal and some criticism from supporters, manager Pulis revealed that Jones has had personal problems which have affected his performances. He ended this run with a goal against Everton on New Year's Day.
International career
Jones has been capped at under-18, under-20, under-23 olympic team and the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
He made his debut for the Trinidad and Tobago national team on 29 January 2003 in a match against Finland. Jones scored his first goal on 25 May 2005 in a 4–0 win against Bermuda. He was later selected by Trinidad and Tobago for their 2006 World Cup campaign, where he made his first appearance in the competition in a 2–0 defeat against England on 15 June 2006 at Frankenstadion, Nuremberg. Jones was named as Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's Player of the Year for 2007. Jones said, "A lot of big names have won this before and I never really thought about something like this happening to me".
He was neither cross , angry nor miserable, instead it was a mature Rodney Price, his Bounty Killer persona left somewhere outside the venue, who entertained at Paradise Park, Westmoreland for the 2011 staging of Western Consciousness early Sunday morning.
It was a man transformed, except for his trademark full black outfit.
"A long time me a sing good songs but it's like them like when me get cross, angry and miserable," Price stated to the hundreds of screaming, whistle blowing fans. Churning out hits such as Down ina the ghetto, Poor People Fed Up, Mi Caan Believe Mi Eyes, Living Dangerously, Sufferer, Ready fi dem, and Stronger.
Breaking from his breathtaking performance Price encourged parents to send their children to not only regular school, but Sunday school as well, stating that children should be accessible to the Almighty, a well as have a solid education. After delivering a host of other conscious hits Price exited the stage near 5:00am after a performance that will be on the lips of many days or even weeks.
Even Beenie Man who climaxed the show had to congratulate Price for his strong performance making mention that both he (Beenie Man) and Bounty Killer had performed for free.
Another headliner of the night was Tanya Stephens. Stephens who says that she was celebrating the 'un-celibacy' of Rastas spitted out the lyrics to singles including as Take Him Back, You Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet, After You, and Ninja Bike. Declaring her love for men, the versatile lyricist also delivered Its a Pity and These Streets saying that there is no truth to the rumour that she dislikes men.
The 'Fire Burning' rasta as expected was in a no nonsense mood as he 'bun a fire' on homosexuals and rapists. Throughout his 15-minute stay on stage Lutan spit lyrics to singles including Justice, Healthy Lifestyle and Africa.
D'Angel, Turbulence, Freddie McGregor, and Hero was also well received by the Western Consciousness audience. Other performers included the Dubtonic Kru, Harry Toddler and Hezron to name a few.
The show in his 23rd staging promoted by Worrel King lived up to its name except for a few minor problems including a long delay in the wee hours of Sunday morning as a band change was to be. The Sane band also provided excellent backing services and the MCs for the night were DJ Linkage of Linkage Radio in New York and Denise 'Ises' Miller.
Kingston, Jamaica: Ace deejay Bounty Killer decisively dismissed the notion that he can't help but being 'cross, angry and miserable' when he surprised fans with an incredible 'culture-lace' set at Western Consciousness 2011, which climaxed at Paradise Park, in Westmoreland, early Sunday morning.
Bounty Killer soon had the fans rocking gleefully to his lyrics as, in between declaring that, 'a long time me a sing good songs but it's like them like when me get cross, angry and miserable,' he rolled steadfastly through songs like, Poor People Fed-up, Cyaa Believe Me Eye, Originality, Down In The Ghetto and Before Dem Seek God.
After declaring that, "they can take away my visa but they can't stop my voice from leave yah," Bounty Killer got even hotter, reeling off, Born As A Sufferer, The Country Mash-Up, Book,Cellular and Too Dangerous, before taking a break to encouraged parents to send their children to both regular school and Sunday school, arguing that the children should be exposed to God as well as a good education.
After a lyrics-filled half hour, Bounty Killer exited the stage. However, the appreciative fans demanded more and the clearly pleased deejay unleashed, Gimme Back Me Hennessey, and after briefly speaking about his recent run-ins with the law, fired off the song, Stronger, as his parting shot.
Beenie Man, who closed the show in the aftermath of Bounty Killer's stellar performance, was quite generous in congratulating his former arch-rival, getting the crowd to join him in applauding the performance. Following that, Beenie Man played a tidy set, reeling off several hits as he enjoyed himself with the fans, especially the ladies.
After watching fellow female deejay star D'Angel playing a restrained set during which she held her own with songs like, Hot Gal A Road, First Lady, and Time Of My Life, a less than subtle Tanya Stephens came close to the edge on a few occasions with her thought-provoking lyrics.
"I will be celebrating the un-celibacy of rasta tonight", the lyrically astute Tanya Stephens bypassed and in some instances switched words as she skilfully delivered songs like, Cyaa Handle De Ride, Goggle, Mr. Mention, Bomb Wuk, Tek Him Back, These Streets and It's A Pity, in a non-controversial manner.
London-based King Sounds was velvety smooth. Sharing his set with deejay Supa Sass he was absolutely masterful. Clad in full white and looking almost biblical with his flowing white beard, the veteran singer was as crisp as a compact disc, churning out hits such as, Book of Rules, Games People Play, Give Dem Love and I Shall Sing, which was complemented by the blazing lyrics of Supa Sass.
Reggae messengers
Reggae messengers Luciano and Big Ship captain Freddie McGregor were both masterful and composed in their respective sets. Luciano was quite clinical in his cover of Peter Tosh's, Legalize It, during which he puffed on a spliff, much to the delight of the fans while the elder statesman McGregor, kept them dancing with songs like, Africa, Push Come to Shove and Big Ship.
From a roots music perspective, House of Leeds recording star Iyahblazze and Lutan Fire, who is recovering from a recent bout of illness, were both very good. Lutan Fire was crisp on songs like, St Jago Dela Vega and Blood Stain while Iyahblazze got an encore after belting out, What If, Rasta and Woman I Need.
On a night when musical instruments were solidly represented, top-flight show band, the potent Dubtonic and Uprising Roots both played pleasing sets, combining sweet vocals with soul-stirring instrumental delivery. After their set, Dubtonic left no doubt why they were recently voted the top reggae band in the world.
With others acts like the solid Droop Lion, the velvet-smooth Hezron, the lyrically potent Little Hero, a mature-sounding Harry Toddler, the resurgent Turbulence, the Canada-based Jah Cutter and the deejay policeman Stamma T also chiming in with good performances, it would appear that promoter Worrell King got the mix just right.
