Latest news with #Cats
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former Mayo star Oisín Mullin hails Kerry duo after signing new AFL contract
Oisín Mullin says that the Irish connection is key to his progress at Geelong Cats after signing a new contract with the AFL giants. The former Mayo star has been at the club since 2022 and has committed his future to them until 2027 having become a mainstay this season in particular. After making six AFL appearances in 2023 followed by 12 last year, Mullin has featured in 18 of their 19 games so far this season as the Cats sit in fourth place in the Premiership table with four games to go, leaving them in a strong position to contest the finals series. Laois native Zach Tuohy, who retired last year, was at the club when Mullin first joined, along with Kerry's Mark O'Connor, whose fellow countyman Cillian Burke is now on the books. 'Obviously the Cats have been known for having a great culture and when I was coming over there was Zach and Mark here as well so having that Irish connection was a big pull and a big factor in coming over here,' Mullin told the club's website. 'The two of them were very important in the journey from the get-go so yeah, it definitely had a big influence.' He continued: 'Zach, from the beginning, I worked with him a lot. Done a lot of kicking and stuff, his kick was obviously unbelievable. Mark as well, just nailing the skills and stuff like that, just chatting me through what it takes to keep developing. 'It takes a lot of patience as well, things aren't going to click from the get-go but obviously the off-field transition as well, Mark especially has been at the club… this is his ninth season and he's just been through that whole transition period just for tips, not just on the field but off the field as well and obviously getting Cillian to join this year has been great. 'He's a great personality to have around the club so I've been loving it with them.' Mullin has been handed greater responsibility in the side this year having been handed a key 'tagging' role. He added: 'It's an enjoyable role, it's a very cool experience getting to match up with some of the best in the game. Not something I thought I'd be doing this early in my career but it's definitely been very helpful, helping me to develop and it's nice to know the coaches have the confidence to back me in that role and attack the game.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The AFL's most hardcore footy fan makes some VERY bizarre posts about footy heartthrob Bailey Smith
One of the AFL 's most hardcore footy fans has taken to social media to share several pictures with Geelong star Bailey Smith, including one very bizarre photoshopped image of the Cats midfielder. Troy 'Catman' West is one of the club's most recognisable supporters and is regularly seen at matches sporting some very exuberant costumes and elaborate makeup designs, depicting himself as a cat. The footy fan has taken to the social media platform Threads in recent months to share snaps of his life following the Cats. One of the pictures showed him tucking into a carton of cat food, as he looked to truly embody the life of a feline in homage to his beloved Geelong. Among the snaps was also a photoshopped image of Smith appearing to be flying like Superman over Melbourne's Marvel Stadium. The image showed a Geelong player who had Smith's face placed onto it, suspended in mid air, with the player raising both of their index fingers. A red cape was also cropped onto the image, akin to the red cloak Superman typically wears. The post also had the caption 'Up up and away, it's SuperBaz.' Catman has also published several snaps of himself posing with the Geelong fan favourite. In one image, he added the caption: 'When Bailey Smith takes your camera off you and takes a selfie. He's just the best!!' It comes after Catman has opened up a discussion with former Geelong star Sam Newman over whether the Cats should be allowed to play finals matches at home. The discussion comes amid concerns that Chris Scott's side has been denied the chance to play a finals match at home in recent years. Their last and only ever finals match at Kardinia Park was played back in 2013, where the Cats were beaten in a qualifying final by Fremantle. It is understood that a contract that requires finals matches taking place in Victoria in weeks one, two and three of the series to be played at the MCG. With Geelong currently sitting fourth in the ladder, the club could once again snag itself a home final this series. However, recent reports state that the Cats are 'increasingly resigned' to playing their home finals elsewhere. And while Newman suggested that 'home ground advantage was irrelevant' and that Geelong shouldn't worry about playing away from the GMHBA, Catman disagreed. He paid tribute to the footy star, writing in one post: 'When Bailey Smith takes your camera off you and takes a selfie!!! He's just the best' 'Of course we should,' he wrote, in an article published in The Geelong Advertiser. 'It's unfair and feels like we're being treated like the smaller country cousin,' he added. 'We are a powerhouse destination club and win games and deserve a fair system that treats all of us the same. Your home ground is your home ground.' Catman, meanwhile, recently took to social media to correct fans after he revealed he was covering up his Hindu symbol tattoo with a 'black sun'. Some on social media claimed that his Hindu symbol was a swastika, but the Geelong fan accused them of being ignorant, before explaining the symbol's real meaning. 'To the fwits saying I have/ had a Nazi tattoo design,' he wrote. 'Pardon your ignorance, but the swastika is a 3000-year-old ancient symbol and I was with the Hari Krishnas (sic) back in the 90s and my tattoo is Hindu and it means good fortune, good luck and good health. 'Only dumb, ignorant trolls think it's a Nazi symbol.' West, meanwhile, has some big links to the footy club through his father, Roy West. Roy played for the club between 1961 and 1964 before returning to play for Geelong in 1966 and 1967. He would make 108 appearances for the club as a fullback and win the 1963 flag with the side, while also being crowned the Cats' best and fairest in 1961.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Cats The Musical: Hamilton Operatic Society stages Andrew Lloyd Webber classic
Tickets: online via Ticketek Reviewed by Cate Prestidge If you're looking for an appropriate outing for your vintage fur jacket, then a ticket to Cats is the perfect opportunity. Opening night was positively purring with feline fashion as the Hamilton Operatic team welcomed the at capacity audience. Once seated, cats prowled up and down the aisles giving a close-up view of the incredible makeup and costumes. It's something Cats is famous for, and the design team of Rose Sidwell and Claire Field (costume) and Cat Dwyer (hair, makeup) deserve a huge accolade for. Gaby Jackson plays Electra, one of the Jellicle Cats. Photo / Mark Hamilton Supported by a massive team of 16 dressers and make-up artists, I can only imagine the excitement of the cast when they first saw their characters emerge. Many people know Cats, one of the world's most successful musicals. But if you're unfamiliar with the show (like my 'plus one'), it's helpful to know it doesn't follow a traditional narrative. Based on T.S Eliot's 'practical cats' poems, it's a character-driven spectacle full of diverse set pieces and choreography. Sonja McGirr-Garrett and Cassidy Garrett have done a phenomenal job as co-choreographers. The cast are more than simply well-honed, they are focused, energetic, full of character, and frankly, exhausting! Noelle Savill as Munkustrap. Photo / Mark Hamilton While cat-like gestures consistently reinforce their 'Jellicleness', individual characters are expressed and sustained emphatically by every single performer and every cast member deserves a jolly good scratch on the head and a bowl of cream. I particularly liked Noelle Savill's Munkustrap, a major role which links together many of the scenes and which showcased her movement and fine voice. Aroha Whaanga impressed as a captivating Bombalurina, while River Park and Lily Burgess-Munro were excellent as the naughty Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Cassidy Garret in the role of Sillabub was outstanding in both movement and voice, particularly in Memory, where her fine soprano contrasts with the rich tones of Julia Booth's Grizabella. The performance of Memory in Cats is an emotional interplay, and Booth conveys this with strength. I was delighted by Mike Scanlon as Gus the theatre cat and his quieter scene with Christy Park (Jellylorum) was a favourite, while Felix Rowe was suitably outrageous as Rum Tum Tugger. I enjoyed hearing his voice more clearly in Mr Mistoffelees and Old Deuteronomy, the latter song was a highlight for the strength of the entire ensemble, supported by the backstage singers. Dancer Laeticia Austin (Victoria) showed astounding control and flexibility, and Oliver Johnson (Mr Mistoffolees) was lithe and polished. Some lovely partner scenes were supported by Dean Watson (Plato). Laeticia Austin (Victoria) and Cassidy Garrett (Sillabub). Photo / Mark Hamilton Jack Turner (Skimblehsnaks), Sean Hapi (Macavity), Eva Orton (Demeter) showed great control and confidence, and Cam Strother was in fine voice as Old Deuteronomy. Comedic styling from K-M Adams (Jennanydots) and Simon Brew as the 'gentlemanly' Bustopher Jones rounded out the main characters. The 19-piece band under the direction of Nick Braae were excellent and the overture transported me immediately into the show. The music is complex, performed by three pianists led by Alex Wiltshire, three trumpets and other multiples of drums, brass and woodwind alongside guitar, oboe and percussion – do check out the programme for these musicians. Lighting goes hand in hand with atmosphere and the designs by Aaron Chesham didn't disappoint adding drama, mood and character. A glance at the programme photos also shows how effective this is when captured in still form. Director David Sidwell brings huge experience to the show, pulling all the cast and production elements together confidently, creating some magical set pieces (the train is wonderful) and working with a new set by John Harding. This represented the backstage of a theatre rather than the usual junkyard setting and had some fun props and found objects. Some minor quibbles were some scale issues on the coat rack garments, and a couple of flatter moments in transitions where the audience didn't know quite how to react. But overall, an entertaining, focused, comprehensive performance and a fun night out. Cate Prestidge is a principal academic and co-ordinator of journalism and communication programmes at Wintec. She has been writing theatre reviews for NZME since 2021.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kilkenny Junior B players tormented as trio with 26 All-Ireland medals tog out
The Junior B Hurlers of Kilkenny were in for a shock when a trio of greats turned up to play in a recent Championship quarterfinal, with the Cats legends boasting a whopping 26 All-Ireland medals between them. Jackie Tyrrell and Eoin Larkin lined out for James Stephens while JJ Delaney was in the squad for Fenians in the JJ Kavanagh Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter-Final. Despite all three man being in the twilight of their careers and in their 40s, they are still lining out for their club to this day. Both Larkin and Tyrrell have the bragging rights this time round, with James Stephens running out 2-26 to 3-07 winners. All three have had illustrious careers with Kilkenny, but Tyrrell and Larkin won an All-Ireland title and three Kilkenny Senior Championships with their club when at the peak of their powers in the 2000s. There are very few Junior B pitches around the country that would have the amount of All-Ireland medals and All-Stars on display. Eoin Larkin won eight All-Ireland titles during his spell with the Cats, as well as two All-Stars and a Hurler of the Year Award, while JJ Delaney won nine All-Ireland and seven All-Stars to go along with his Player of the Year gong. Tyrrell also won nine All-Star awards during his time with Kilkenny and four All-Star awards. Even at the age of 43, Tyrrell is still considered mobile enough to play in the middle third. He lined out at wing back, while Eoin Larkin was at corner forward. JJ Delaney was a substitute; he made his Kilkenny debut in 2001.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Review: ‘Back to the Future: The Musical' blasts off at Mirvish with its jaw-dropping DeLorean
To the chandelier from 'The Phantom of the Opera,' the helicopter from 'Miss Saigon' and the giant tire that ascends to the Heaviside Layer in 'Cats': Move over!
