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Hutch (61), a surprise contender in the election when he lodged papers earlier this month declaring his candidacy, received 3,098 first preference votes, or 9.5 per cent of the vote in the first count. The vote put him in fourth position in the race in the four-seater constituency behind three sitting TDs – Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon – though almost 3,500 votes short of the quota. He remained in fourth position after the fourth count on Saturday night. Observers initially gave Hutch little chance, but he secured a large following in the north inner city, where he comes from, and picked up significant support in other areas. [ Dublin Central election 2024 results: Mary Lou McDonald elected; Gerry Hutch in contention for a seat Opens in new window ] The battle for the final seat is expected to come down to a contest between Hutch and Labour’s Marie Sherlock who remained almost 1,000 votes behind the veteran criminal after the fourth count. Mr Donohoe told reporters at the Dublin Central count centre at the RDS in south Dublin that the majority of people in his constituency didn’t vote for Hutch but other parties would “have to reflect” on why so many did. Paschal Donohoe told waiting media that “the centre has held in Irish politics”, along with stressing that the majority of people in Dublin Central didn’t vote for Gerard Hutch but that other parties “will have to reflect on what are the reasons as to why this happened, why he got the votes that he did”. Mr Gannon said Hutch’s candidacy was unexpected but attributed his popularity to the media attention he received and the hurt felt for a long period by the Dublin inner-city community. [ Election 2024: Five things we learned from the first day of the counts Opens in new window ] “For me, it’s not just about what happens and who takes the fourth seat. I think it’s a reflection of the fact that there’s a lot of hurt; there’s a huge amount of pain,” he said. The Social Democrats TD said that years of austerity had “destroyed the fabric of communities”, including those in Dublin Central. He described the support for Hutch not as a “protest vote” but a “cry for help”. Hutch’s election will depend on how many votes Hutch receives from elimination of Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan and Independent candidates Clare Daly Malachy Steenson, an anti-immigration activist. Hutch’s electoral challenge is all the more surprising given it comes a year and a half after the end of the Regency Hotel trial during which Hutch was accused of the murder of gangland rival David Byrne. The 2016 attack marked an escalation in the bloody feud between the Hutch and Kinahan gangs which would eventually leave 18 people dead, including Hutch’s brother and two nephews. Hutch was later acquitted of the murder by the Special Criminal Court, which rejected the evidence of former Sinn Féin councillor and Hutch associate Jonathan Dowdall who turned state’s witness. The court concluded he did have control of the three assault rifles used in the murder and that Hutch was planning to give these to dissident republicans. However, Hutch was never charged with this offence.DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has spoken about origin stories in his new DC Universe after a fan asked why he is “overlooking origin stories” in the upcoming titles and how missing out stops the audience being able to “connect with the characters well at emotional level”. In a response on , Gunn says: “I’m not telling Batman and Superman’s origin stories again because everyone knows them.” Beyond that though, origin stories could well be told. He took issue with the fan dubbing Swamp Thing a niche character for “hardcore comicbook readers”, saying he’s anything but: “Don’t put Swamp Thing in the corner... he’s an incredibly well known character with not only some of the greatest comics of all time but a successful film series and his own TV show, something that could be said of only a very small handful of DC characters.” He was then asked if he believes the general audience knows Wonder Woman’s canonical origin, something that could potentially be explored in the political drama series “Paradise Lost” which was announced on the slate and is set in Themyscira before the birth of Diana. Gunn responded: “Not as many people do – also because she’s had various origin stories.” He then goes on to add that the series is currently in “very active development,” but no casting information has yet emerged. Multiple films on the DC slate remain in development at this time with “Superman” the only one completed filming and “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” gearing up to film ahead of a mid-2026 release.
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MORGANTOWN -- Normally, it's fun to look back upon Yogi Berra-isms. Not today. Not on the day West Virginia's football team went out and proved Yogi Berra wrong. See, Berra's credited with the quote "It's not over until it's over." He was wrong ... wrong about Saturday's football game in Lubbock, Texas, when West Virginia''s completed the regular season in the ashes of a 52-15 defeat to Texas Tech, leaving them at 6-6. The address there is "Nowheresville." But this game didn't end with the final gun; moments after quarterback Garrett Greene gave it a symbolic ending by throwing an interception. It ended far before that, when the deflated and defeated Mountaineers headed for the safety of their locker room at halftime, shell shocked by a 29-0 second quarter that left them red-faced at their performance and with no chance to win the game. The score at halftime was 35-3 and, folks, it was over then. They played the second half not to decide the outcome, only to sell beer, whiskey, automobiles and promote upcoming television programs. Berra's statement was wrong not only about the game, but about the entire Mountaineer season. They had come out of the heat of summer living in what proved to be a fantasy world, thinking they would contend for a spot in the Big 12's Championship game. Then they were smacked back to reality by Penn State and Pittsburgh and, whether they want to admit it or not, it was over ... yes,Yogi, it was over before it was over. Oh, they put together a nice mid-year run but the truth was that it really wasn't meaningful for this team never had an occasion where it rose up to pull off an upset. And while there is nothing to be proud of from a 6-6 season, when you analyze it closely you note they did not play Colorado, BYU and Arizona State. Those are arguably the three best teams in the conference and WVU's schedule did not include them. The Mountaineers beat teams they were supposed to beat, lost to teams they were supposed to lose to. They were the definition of a .500 team. "Our record wasn't what we hoped for," Brown admitted. "I will say this. Over the course of the year there were times when people counted us out and we bounced back. We have some good people in the locker room. We have some where we have to do some work. I'm talking about personnel areas. "We're very cognizant of it. We're not covering our eyes. There's areas where we have to get better. We won five games in the league. There were some games there we were capable of winning. So, I don't think we're miles away but there are some critical areas where we have to improve." Brown won't accept what most people are thinking:That this year's WVU team, his sixth as head coach, that this game and this season defined his team. "I don't think the first half of football defined who we are," Brown said. "It didn't define who we are as individuals and it didn't define who we are as a team," But you can't ignore reality. You are what you are and six years in Neal Brown's record in Big 12 games is 37-36. He hasn't beaten any Top 10 teams. They are far better than the first team he inherited from Dana Holgorsen, but they are not a contender in the conference and that's not opinion, it's there in the standings. The fans' frustration is warranted. Now what? "It's been a long season. They have to catch their breath. The positive is this is not the end of it. We have another game. Our guys will bounce back. They bounced back in the second half," Brown said. Certainly he wasn't talking about this game. True, they weren't blitzed 29-0 as they had been in the second quarter, but what kind of bounce back is it when you get outscored 17-12 in the second half. And, yeah, you can look at the stat sheet and see that WVU finished with 405 yards gained, which is not a bad offensive day ...until you realize it produced only 15 points against the team that ranked 125th in the nation in points allowed. The truth was, most of those yards were picked up, if you will pardon the expression, after this game was over. --- Follow @bhertzel on X (formerly Twitter)
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First downs and second guesses: Volleyball season in Nebraska isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning. On Monday the Omaha Supernovas announced their draft class, including Creighton All-America Kendra Wait and Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause. They join former Husker Ally Batenhorst, Briana Holman and Kayla Caffey on the roster of the defending Pro Volleyball Federation champions. A couple hours later, the Love Volleyball League announced the signing of its “LOVB 6,” a rookie class that includes Lexi Rodriguez (Omaha) Jess Mruzik (Houston), Sarah Franklin (Madison), Sophie Fischer (Salt Lake), One Ofoegbu (Atlanta), and Madisen Skinner (Austin). Rodriguez joins a LOVB Omaha roster that already is loaded with local star power in Jordan Larson, Justine-Wong-Orantes, Madi Kubik, Lauren Stivrins and Jaali Winters. People are also reading... New director transitioning to role at community food pantry Beatrice man pleads guilty to receiving child sex abuse images Former Beatrice man sentenced for sex assault of runaway Sex offender arrested for not reporting change in employment At the courthouse, Dec. 21, 2024 Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend Gage County says board had authority to deny permit for broadband provider Commendations given to Beatrice Police Zitel pleads not guilty to sex assault, child abuse charges How former Nebraska quarterback Daniel Kaelin landed with Virginia football Meyn, charged in death of 4-month-old, has case continued to March At the courthouse, Dec. 14, 2024 Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez signs with LOVB's Omaha team As Brenda Lee turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple Matt Rhule and Nebraska football plan Pinstripe Bowl practice in Central Park Is this town big enough for two pro volleyball teams? We’ll find out in a few weeks. The Supernovas open their season on Jan. 10 at the CHI Health Center. Two weeks later, on Jan 24., Omaha LOVB (team name?) opens its inaugural season at Liberty Credit Union First Arena (Ralston), where it will play four matches and two more at Baxter Arena. The level of play in both leagues will be incredible. But are there enough fans to go around? The “Novas” averaged 9,656 fans last year in 12 matches at the CHI Health Center. They led the rest of the teams by a lot. Now add local heroes Wait, Krause and Batenhorst and attendance should improve. But what if fans also want to go see Larson, Rodriguez, Stivrins and Winters, along with familiar opponents like Franklin and Mruzik? How will it all play out? Apparently, LOVB’s pockets run deep. For old San Diego Chargers fans like myself and John Cook, an easy comparison is the National Football League and American Football League wars in the 1960’s. Which resulted in the creation of the Super Bowl and then a merger. This winter should be a blast. But I can already see a couple of questions that might need asking come April. Shouldn’t these two pro volleyball leagues have a championship series at the end? Wouldn’t a merger be the best possible thing for the sport of volleyball? See you next month, ladies. I can still sense a Nebraska volleyball hangover with Husker fans. That’s the impact that team had on folks. Those ladies reached in and grabbed them by the heart. It was an incredible ride and they celebrated all the joys. But that pain at the end is going to leave a mark. The four College Football Playoff quarter final match-ups look terrific. Like, get-me-to-a-TV on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 terrific. So, is eight the right number? Don't give up on 12 yet. I still like 12. I’m a brand name sports guy. I like watching the big boys battle for championships. But I also want the non-brands, the little guys, in there. Underdogs bring a lot to the postseason. They bring the "what if" factor. What if the long shot gets on a roll? That's why we watch. You wouldn't just want a playoff with all SEC and Big Ten teams would you? That's not a national championship. The first-round blowouts weren’t good. But it happens, and it happened in the four-team playoff era. But one day there will be upsets, too. Football can't be basketball. But upsets are the magic in the NCAA tournament. When the field was announced, I thought Indiana and SMU belonged. A loss on an opponent's home field can't change that. Alabama’s problem was its loss to Oklahoma. And who would have imagined that OU would drag mighty Bama out of the playoff? I’m real tired of the SEC whining. It just hurts more. Hey, you guys wanted OU and Texas. You got ‘em. There has been arguing and debates over college football's national champion forever. Expansion to 12 was never going to change that. Until the college game goes to 32 teams and puts them into divisions, ala the NFL, with equal scheduling, there's going to be arguing. I would only change one thing with the first weekend: no first-round byes. The campus atmospheres were fabulous. Give me more of ‘em. One of the great things about the transfer portal is when an athlete settles in and makes the community better. Creighton senior Steven Ashworth is doing that. Ashworth is headlining a local charitable initiative called “Light The World.” The unique project features vending machines, or “Giving Machines,” which are located in Westroads Mall near Von Maur. The machines offer items (10 Blankets for $50 for a homeless shelter) that people can swipe a credit card and donate the item of their choice. The machines will be at Westroads until Dec. 31. Ashworth and a group of Creighton athletes from men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball will be at Westroads on Dec. 28 between 5-8 p.m., to visit and sign autographs. Bill Belichick is used to coaching the best of the best. The majority of college football players are not NFL players. They work hard, and they can make mistakes. Belichick will recruit well at North Carolina, but he’s not going to have an NFL roster. There are going to be mistakes. How will he deal with that? I bet this caught Belichick’s attention: Tulane redshirt quarterback Darian Mensah hit the portal and wound up at Duke. According to CBS Sports, Mensah received an NIL deal at Duke reportedly worth $8 million over two years. When did North Carolina and Duke start spending like Ohio State and Alabama for football? The New Year is upon us. I’m taking nominations for top sports stories in 2024. Send them my way this week. Get local news delivered to your inbox!