Latest news with #McCluggage
Agriland
a day ago
- Business
- Agriland
UFU: ‘Alarming absence' of clear communication on A5 project
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has highlighted the challenges and 'prolonged disruption' faced by farm families due to the ongoing A5 Western Transport Corridor project. The UFU addressed the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) and the Committee for Infrastructure at Stormont yesterday (June 3). It said that it recognises the significance of the project, particularly its potential impact on road safety and regional connectivity. However, the UFU has concerns regarding the scheme's impact on agricultural business, land vesting and the 'dire lack of communication' from government departments and contractors. A5 project The UFU's technical and communications manager, James McCluggage believes that there is an 'alarming absence' of consistent communication from all parties involved. McCluggage said: 'Farmers and their appointed agents are reporting a significant communication breakdown. There are few 'liaison officers' on the ground, leaving landowners without a direct point of contact for their numerous questions and problems. 'Also, road contractors are consistently failing to inform landowners about works affecting their land, leading to frustration about construction schedules, access arrangements and business implications.' The UFU also told the committees that it has concerns about the vesting process and compensation. 'Landowners are demanding transparency on the vesting price, with a clear rationale provided by the district valuer. Many have seen their land vested and works commence, yet they are still awaiting any compensation or even a valuation,' McCluggage explained. 'This is simply unacceptable. We are also deeply concerned about the economic impact this is already having on farmers, with a noticeable decrease in production this year.' According to McCluggage, there was 'significant' confusion for some farmers when updating their maps before the Single Application Form (SAF) deadline on May 15. He said: 'There needs to be some form of force majeure provision for these landowners this year, as mistakes may understandably have been made due to the ongoing disruption. 'We stressed the urgent need for clarity on the planning of essential permanent infrastructure, such as new farm sheds, at an early stage, with the full authority of the Planning Service NI. 'The current method for calculating process contributions in planning applications, particularly for upgrading or replacing existing agricultural infrastructure, is flawed.
7NEWS
7 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Brisbane's ‘silent assassin' Hugh McCluggage stamps All-Australian credential in Essendon win
Brisbane's 'silent assassin' has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All-Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. 'Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game,' he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. 'He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. 'We talk about All-Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. 'He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. 'He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really.' McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. 'Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight,' he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. 'Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins,' Fagan said.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. "Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. "He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. "We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. "He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. "He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really." McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. "Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. "Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. "Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. "He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. "We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. "He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. "He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really." McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. "Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. "Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Resilient Brisbane Lions move on from adversity
Brisbane premiership star Hugh McCluggage believes the Lions can cope with any adversity that comes their way after putting aside a difficult week to record a stirring win. Coach Chris Fagan described Saturday's four-point triumph over Sydney at the SCG in a grand final rematch as one of the Lions' "great wins". The match was Brisbane's first of the AFL season after their premiership flag-unfurling was delayed when Cyclone Alfred forced their clash with Geelong to be postponed. Not only did the Lions have to deal with weather wreaking havoc in their home state, but several players found themselves in tough situations. Key forward-ruck Sam Day was set to play his first game for the club after being picked up from Gold Coast, but had to pull out of the match due to the death of his father. Popular forward Linc McCarthy, who missed last year's premiership due to a knee injury, suffered a second anterior cruciate ligament at training before the Lions flew to Sydney. "It was a pretty tough week," McCluggage told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday. "We had a pretty good training on Tuesday at the Gabba, then Linc got us in and broke the news and it was quite a deflating moment. "For it just to be taken away from him like that was very disappointing for him as a footballer and a mate. "Probably in the past when things like that have happened we haven't really dealt with it as well as we've been able to this year and last year. "You've just got to try and park it. "Those guys know we care for them but we've got to move on because we've got a job at hand." Against Sydney, star forward Charlie Cameron (calf) was withdrawn from the team only an hour before the match. And when Kai Lohmann suffered an ankle injury early, the Lions were suddenly without their three leading goal-kickers from last year following Joe Daniher's post-premiership retirement. Important defender Brandon Starcevich also suffered his third concussion in eight months during the third quarter against the Swans, which McCluggage described as "very concerning". "I've had a few concussions myself and it can be quite concerning when you're in that situation and not sure how you're going to recover," the vice-captain said. "There's concern with every concussion whether it's one, whether it's two, whether it's more than that. "Obviously the more you have, the more the level of concern. You never like to see them start stacking up. "But 'Starce' has a great medical team around him and I'm sure they'll be doing everything they can." Brisbane will finally unfurl their premiership flag this Sunday before their Gabba clash with struggling West Coast. Despite the Eagles coming off a horror 87-point defeat in Andrew McQualter's first game as coach, McCluggage expects West Coast to bounce back strongly. "If there's one thing I've learnt in my time playing AFL, it's that the week before does not matter," the 27-year-old said.
