John Laverty

It’s called The Long Good Friday and is inspired by the Northern Ireland Troubles — but don’t press the play button expecting to see David Trimble, John Hume or a hand of history placed on Tony Blair’s shoulder.

Gerry Adams had just completed his ‘first 100 days in office’ when the would-be assassins came calling.

It was a headline you simply could not skip past. According to the BBC news website last week, one Armagh fan would be “making the ultimate sacrifice” to ensure his son got into the All-Ireland final.

It’s a three-word phrase guaranteed to annoy virtually everyone in our wee country. And yes, I get the obvious irony that “our wee country” itself can be emotive to some, but we’re not here to discuss territorial euphemisms.

Betty Williams kept the money. She bought a fur coat and a large Volvo, extended her kitchen, paid off her debts, parted company with her first husband, moved to Florida, married a wealthy Yank and befriended, among others, Sharon Stone and Bill Clinton.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’ might look good on a CV but has little else to recommend it. It hasn’t been the political stepping stone many aspirants had hoped for, especially during the recent Tory era.

‘Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’ might look good on a CV but has little else to recommend it. It hasn’t been the political stepping stone many aspirants had hoped for, especially during the recent Tory era.

Footballer Gregory Kearney thought he was being provocative when making the Sign of the Cross in front of Cliftonville supporters at Solitude.

When a nation’s population is on the rise, despite more of its citizens dying than being born... well, we all know who to blame, don’t we?

How’s it going, Peter Johnston? I ask because next week marks a full year since the former BBC NI boss was appointed to lead a review into Russell Brand’s notorious behaviour as a corporation employee.