10 GREAT THINGS ABOUT IRELAND

RHYL FC are thoroughly looking forward to Saturday's Intertoto Cup tie in Dublin against Bohemian.
As part of the build up to the first leg at Dalymount Park, here's an alternative fun look at 10 great things about Ireland:
1 DAVE FANNING
His late night show on RTE Radio 2 in the late 1970s/early 1980s established this legend of the airwaves as Ireland's answer to John Peel.
"Dave Fanning Rocks" featured all of the great bands of the time and also introduced people like me to many great Irish groups we hadn't heard of over here.
His smooth delivery and friendly persona made him the perfect late night host - magic! Thanks to Dave's airplay I developed an interest in two great acts - Pere Ubu and Adrian Belew.
2 RADIO NOVA
Staying with the radio theme, Radio Nova was another highlight of my teenage years. A pirate radio station broadcasting from Dublin, Nova had some fantastic presenters and brilliant music and jingles, many of which I have on MP3/tape (sad git).
The authorities tried to close down Nova many times and eventually succeeded but what a station.
I regularly used to ring the studios to get requests played and once phoned during the news and interrupted Sybil Fennell - priceless! Any Bohs fans remember Radio Nova?
3 TOKYO OLYMPICS
Indie/pop/rock band of the 1980s with a great sound, used to feature regularly on Nova. All I've ever found about them on the internet is a picture and a reference to their great song Radio.
Has anyone out there got a copy of that song? Would love to hear it again and know what's happened to Tokyo Olympics.
4 PHIL LYNOTT (1949-1986)
Immortal front man of rock band Thin Lizzy. Phil was born in West Bromwich and was initially brought up in Moss Side, Manchester, before moving to Crumlin, Dublin, while still at school. His mother, Philomena, was Irish, and his father hailed from Brazil (hence Phil's dark features).
Phil formed Thin Lizzy in around 1970 in Dublin and the band went on to achieve worldwide fame enjoying massive hits such as Whiskey In The Jar, Don't Believe A Word, Sarah and The Rocker (my personal favourite was Dedication).
Sadly Phil left us far too early in 1986 after his years of self abuse caught up with him, but in 2005 a statue of him was erected on Harry Street, off Grafton Street in Dublin. He will never be forgotten.
5 FRANK STAPLETON
One of my all-time favourite footballers. Frank made over 200 appearances for both Arsenal and Manchester United and played 71 times for the Republic of Ireland, scoring a then record 20 goals.
A tough tackling striker with great heading ability, Stapleton was fiercely competitive on the field but is a real gent off it.
6 SIR TERRY WOGAN
People used to complain about him being on TV too much and perhaps they had a point at one stage, but this Limerick-born legend has one of the friendliest, most recognisable voices in British/Irish broadcasting.
His Radio 2 shows are brilliant, his delivery, timing and patter sublime, but don't mention The Floral Dance!
7 ST PATRICK
Anyone who can get rid of snakes for good has to be a top man. Legend has it he might even have been born in Wales and if that's the case I wish he'd have got rid of our serpents too.
8 BOB GELDOF
Live Aid, Band Aid, Boomtown Rats, avoiding use of a comb for almost 57 years - Robert Frederick Xenon (or "Zenon") Geldof is one of Ireland's greatest all-time figures. If Dun Laoghaire born Bob doesn't get the Nobel Peace Prize eventually it will be a massive injustice.
9 STEPHEN BOYD (1931-1977)
Probably his finest film role was in Ben Hur but he was pretty good in his last ever movie, the 1977 made for TV classic The Squeeze which starred Stacy Keach. Boyd played gangster Vic, a ruthless character who nonetheless had his funnier moments.
10 FRANK KELLY - CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
The most hilarious Christmas song ever. Basically, it's to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas, but Frank getting increasingly swazzed off about the gifts which arrive for him each day. Turns out that Frank Kelly later became Father (Drink!) Jack in Channel 4 comedy Father Ted. This single is still available from stockists here and there - buy it!
And I used to hear it regularly on.....yes you've guessed it.....Radio Nova!!!