Like thousands of fans , I want to thank the @GaaClare legend , #ShaneODonnell for all the entertainment & happiness he brought to hurling fans everywhere . Sometimes, I went to Clare matches just to see his wizardry , courage & unique skill .What a fantastic role model he has been for over a decade in the Clare jersey. I wish him well for the future . No doubt , he will embellish & add value to whatever he does & wherever he goes , Buíochas, Shane ! #ODonnellAbú !

Thanks to Lady Captain, Annette McNiece, for hosting a wonderful Captain’s dinner at the most picturesque Killarney Golf Club last night. It’s a golfer’s paradise & Annette is fabulous lady Captain ! #LaoisAbú ! @Killarney1893 @golf_ireland

I spent a couple v enjoyable hours in the Premier County yesterday @ClonmelShow . Thanks to my v good friends @MichaelMurphyTD & @garretahearn for their generosity & good fun. Access, space , interesting stalls & fine exhibitions are a hallmark of this great annual show .

V disappointed for @OfficialCorkGAA & its most loyal army of supporters. I said here , that eventhough @Galway_GAA were beaten by @DubGAAOfficial , that they looked 10points a better team. They are proving it now. Most will say Cork collapsed in 2nd. half but the damage was done in injury time before half-time.Cork had fought back after a bad start , but threw away, what should have been a nice lead . They never recovered as Galway moved up the gears Will be some soul searching by Leeside now.

A state of serenity was palpable @KillarneyNatio1 this evening - a heron patiently awaiting it’s dinner, oblivious to people passing a few feet away, 2 beautiful young red deer happily posing for photographs, a lost & found hat , awaiting the return of its owner .No noise, delightful beauty .Nature & humans happily coexisting!

Bogs produce more than turf ! . It was a pleasure to visit ‘Peatlands for Prosperity’ stand @EU_CoR Irish Presidency event @Europarl_EN . Paludiculture is a new form of ag. on peat soils . Can lead to many commercially viable products .Great innovations.

3am, just home from Bruxelles.Glad , I wasn’t going too fast & was able to break sufficiently around.Nenagh, to avoid killing a young fox , who having survived, conveyed me for about 100 metres on the motorway , before disappearing. In fact, in the last few weeks I have been able to avoid killing , 3 foxes, a cat & a hedgehog .But, I missed a rat too, unfortunately!!

I’ve been thinking for some years now , that @MayoGAA best chance of winning Sam, is when it’s least expected & they come in under the radar - bit like this year ? But, when I said that to a guy in #Brussels today ,he replied , ‘ Mayo , come in under the radar ? . You must be joking ! Not a hope . If they qualify for the Final, all the hype & over confidence & ‘May4Sam’, will take over again & it will blow any chance they have of winning’ Not sure , he’s right ach mar a deirtear, ‘Neosfaidh an aimsear ’ So, cool it Mayo !

Honoured to have my star Iar scoláire @bottykillarney in Brussels to launch @Ireland2026eu yesterday. No better buachaill & chain & all to add gravitas to the occasion !! Fear iontach ! 🥹@Europarl_EN @failteh @KillOutlook @radiokerrynews

Passed with 52 votes in favour, 4 against and 16 abstentions! After many months of hard work and negotiations, today we voted on the Environment Committee's opinion on the Common Agricultural Policy 2028-20334, for which I was Rapporteur. Given that the ENVI committee was not able to find a consensus on the CAP simplification package, this is a great win for the Environment Committee. We've made a strong statement that as MEPs, we still believe in fighting for the environment, biodiversity and climate, and that we can do so in a manner that does not punish farmers or bury them in red tape.

In advance of vote on my report on #CAP for @EP_Environment , no doubt who my good friend Pascal Arimont supports #FifaWorldcupUsa28 . @Belgiumfoot11

While we kicked off @Ireland2026eu in fine style yesterday , one thing I asked Irish authorities for , back in January , was to have visible branding around @Europarl_EN , so all would be aware of our Presidency & constantly reminded of it , as thousands go through Parl. every day . Don’t see any sign yet , only Cyprus branding, whose Presidency is over. !! Come , come !!

Congratulations to fellow Kerryman, @moconchuir & @EU_CoR for organising a lovely event yesterday evening ag ceiliuradh ‘Tionscnaimh & Táirgí na hÉireann ‘ . A great way to kick off the first day of @Ireland2026eu . 👏

They can do things with flair & style in #Bruxelles too !

A coffee to start with ! Thanks to all MEP’s & Officials who wished us well for our Presidency, which starts today ! Full steam ahead ! @EPPGroup @FineGael @GovIrish

I’m beginning to think @TheSundayGame & @RTEsport should have neutral analysts & commentators for their programmes . Sure, partisans are never going to give you an objective analysis! #cutehoorism reigns ! If that’s what people want , then tune into local radio- entertaining but totally biased . @RTEgaa should be above that !

& then there were 2. Delighted to join @eileenlynch55 in representing @FineGael at @EPP_EE Political Assembly in Vienna this morning. All excited here about Ireland taking over the EU Presidency TOMORROW !!

Having visited Rathcoole Aerodrome recently & seeing , first hand , the Trojan work done by Denis Crowley & his colleagues to provide life saving service to Ireland South , I’m delighted that @Corkcoco has granted them planning permission to upgrade the site . This will help to save more lives ( estimated 500 saved already) & provide a quicker & more sustained service in the future . The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service are some of our greatest, most generous, heroes .

V worthwhile discussion early this morning on ‘The future of EU Migration Policy’. Thanks to expert contributions from Rainer Munoz, Peter Webinger & Hugh Brady .(ICMPD)- if he’s a Brady he must be Irish & must be from Cavan - exactly ! 👍 #Integration a huge challenge , as distinct from #migration ! @CentreLaois &my great friend , ex President @officialgaa , Liam O Neill , have done some great work in this area - template for others .

The @FineGael delegation diligently participating @EPP Political Assembly in #Vienna . #Enlargement on our minds as we take over the Presidency @EUCouncil . @eileenlynch55 @barrymward @jamesgeog1