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West Australian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
In the footsteps of Evita
At the door of the Melia Recoleta Plaza hotel in Buenos Aires, I am greeted by Eva Peron. Not Evita herself, of course (this icon of Argentina died of cancer in 1952, aged 33), but by an almost life-size photograph of her wearing a glorious Christian Dior gown Having Evita looking down on me is a fitting entry to this stylish, rather Parisian little boutique hotel in the rather stylish part of Buenos Aires, Recoleta. For as a young radio actress and model finding her feet, she lived in this building between 1942 and 1944. She had moved to Buenos Aires in 1935, first renting cheap hotel rooms and sharing apartments with other performers before moving to Posadas, the rather more salubrious street which the Melia hotel fronts — though in her day there were bordellos, gambling halls and streetwalkers around here. It was while living here that young Eva Duarte met and was courted by army officer Juan Domingo Peron. She moved from Posadas No. 1557, which is now this hotel, to No. 1561, which became their first home after marrying in 1945. Juan Domingo Peron retained a connection with No. 1557, setting up a sewing shop here, in what is now the hotel's rather fine bistro, which made fine gowns for Eva and other officers' wives, repaired army uniforms and made elegant tailored clothes for powerful politicians. Later, Juan would gift the building, in what appears in modern context a rather oddly blatant act of nepotism, to Eva's brother, Juan Duarte, and it was eventually seized by a court as a result of the debts he ran up. The building passed through Majorcan and Argentine investor hands before Melia Hotels and Resorts opened it as this fine little hotel in 2005. It reflects the golden age of Buenos Aires and is elegantly furnished in antique style. I walk out in the warm evening, along Posadas, past the grassed hill of the park of Plaza San Martin de Tours and over Plaza Intendente Alvear to Recoleta Cemetery — the so-called City of Angels which nestles among the apartments of the living. For here, among the 6400 tombs and mausoleums, is one with the name Duarte on it, and in it are the remains of Eva, along with those of her mother, two sisters and brother. It is popular with tourists; less so with some Argentinians. The story of Eva Peron, the First Lady (her husband became a politician and was first elected president in 1946) who helped women get the vote, founded hospitals and orphanages and helped secure labour benefits for the working class, was, of course, immortalised by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in the musical Evita, and by Madonna in the film version in 1996. But writing about Eva opens up the conflict, anger, corruption, abuse, wounds, successes, achievements, paradoxes and dichotomies of contemporary Argentine history. 'To me, it is Saddam or Khomeini,' a local tells me, glancing up at a portrait of Eva Peron on the end of a building. I hadn't expected quite that. Juan came to rule in 1946 with the backing of the working classes and, as the Argentine economy declined in the early 1950s, this demagogue became increasingly authoritarian. And there are still people among the 3 million of central Buenos Aires and 13 million of its sprawling suburbs of shabby apartments and poor barrios — those suburbs of ramshackle homes — who blame Argentina's demise since World War II on systemic corruption, cruel dictatorship and the cost of Evita's dresses. Following the military coup of 1955 which deposed Juan, Peronism was banned. It was illegal to even possess a photograph of Eva. ('But she brought many reformations, especially for women and the poor,' another woman and Buenos Aires resident tells me.) Two months after the coup, Eva Peron's embalmed body was stolen by soldiers from the trade union building where it was being held, taken to Italy and buried under the name of Maria Maggi in Milan. It was later exhumed and taken to Spain, and only returned to Argentina in 1973, when Juan came out of exile to become president for his third term. It was then placed in the family tomb. Thirteen years after Juan's death in 1974, his tomb was broken into and both of his hands stolen. I dine in a good cafe and then sit outside Nuestra Senora del Pilar Church. Our Lady of Pilar is an eighth century Jesuit church, the second oldest building in Buenos Aires and nicely restored. A man stands, eyes shut, against the wall, wearing a traditional, soft Buenos Aires broad-brimmed chambergos hat, playing the clarinet. He pauses between notes, lets the night speak under a fingernail of moon, then narrates another passage with spare notes. Women walk dogs on long, extender leads; these sturdy, poised Argentinian women. Girls pass in groups on high platform shoes. On the pavement, a man has spread a sheet of paper; his shop to sell a packet of cigarettes, two watches and some cheap jewellery. Three men sit in identical suits and ties, in a row, on a bench. And I turn and see the church lit under the inky blue, early night sky, and the faithful within. Our Lady of the Pilar is the name given to the Virgin Mary under the ancient Spanish tradition that says she appeared to St James the Apostle atop a pillar in a moment when he felt desperate over his failure in spreading Christianity. One is tempted to use the French word 'arrondissement' for the Buenos Aires suburb of Recoleta. Particularly during the good economic period from 1890-1920, the rich of Buenos Aires were fond of travelling in Europe and bringing back its design and culture. Spanish and Italians, in particular, settled here, and their influence is felt, too. There is now a new Italian connection, of course, as Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires and rose to become its archbishop. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, he briefly worked as a nightclub bouncer in the capital before joining the seminary. He became a bishop in 1992, archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and is now the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, where he served and led, was first erected in the 16th century, rebuilt several times and is now recognised as a 19th century design. It overlooks Plaza de Mayo and holds the remains of 'Argentina's liberator', General Jose de San Martin, a soldier, statesman and national hero who was born in Argentina but fought for the Spanish monarch for 20 years before, as he later reportedly put it, 'responded to the call of his native land' and became a leader in the revolutions against the Spanish rule of Argentina in 1812, Chile in 1818 and Peru in 1821. The cathedral offers me a peaceful haven from this city of traffic, and a moment of contemplation in this city of angels.
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Mason Melia shows his class as Saints march on
Mason Melia showed why Tottenham Hotspur shelled out €2million for him in January as the talented teenager guided St Pat's into the next qualifying round for the Conference League in Lithuania on Thursday. The 17-year-old scored the first goal and created the second for Kian Leavy as the Saints made amends for their wastefulness in last week's 1-0 win at Richmond Park. Pat's boss Stephen Kenny was critical of the rough treatment that Melia received from Hegelmann in the first leg, but it didn't seem to matter to the gifted attacker in Lithuania as he turned on the style in front of the 200 Saints supporters who made the trip to Kaunas. It was Melia who was fouled for the late penalty in Inchicore that Aidan Keena dispatched and it was Melia who eased any nerves among Pat's players as he poked the ball into the net for his first European goal after only six minutes with a lovely poacher's finish after Jay McCelland's initial shot had been parried by the home goalkeeper Vincentas Sarkauskas. Just as they did in the first leg, Pat's dominated possession with their goalkeeper Joseph Anang having a pretty quiet night. Hegelmann's Brazilian playmaker Léo Ribeiro fired a warning early in the second half by unleashing a rasping shot towards Anang's goal, but chances were few and far between for the home side and Melia engineered the goal that put the tie beyond doubt 10 minutes into the second-half. Mason Melia showed why Tottenham Hotspur shelled out €2million for him in January. Pic: Evaldas Semiotas/Sportsfile Picking up the ball on the halfway line, Melia drove at the defence and turned Serbian Nikola Doric inside out before releasing the overlapping Leavy with a subtle pass. Leavy took one touch before rifling the ball above Sarkauskas and into the roof of the net. The goal ensured that the Saints could start planning for the next round of European competition, with the first leg against Albanian or Estonian opposition in Inchicore next Thursday. It also meant that the club are guaranteed €700,000 in UEFA prize money but that could rise to €1.7 million if they manage to negotiate the next hurdle. Despite the plastic pitch and the number of different nationalities on the Lithuanian side, this always felt like a comfortable and routine evening for Kenny's team, who are starting to find the net again. And with Melia in their ranks until he turns 18, they will fancy their chances of going on a journey through the Conference League, perhaps all the way to the group stages. Indeed, all three League of Ireland clubs – Shelbourne, St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers, who have yet to begin their campaign – making it through to the Conference League groups is now a distinct possibility. That will be a real sign of the growing strength of the game here. But for now, Pat's are just grateful they have Melia until next January and it looks like Spurs have made a smart investment.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
St Pat's next Euro opponents confirmed as Kenny hails return to goalscoring form
Stephen Kenny has hailed St Patrick's Athletic's return to goalscoring form as Mason Melia and Kian Leavy fired the Inchicore side into the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League. The Saints completed a comfortable 3-0 aggregate win over Lithuanian side FC Hegelmann, winning 2-0 away from home thanks to goals early in each half by the young attacking pair. They will take on Estonian side Kalju, who saw off Albanian outfit Partizani in extra-time, next week in the first-leg, with that game taking place in Richmond Park. READ MORE: Golfer Jon Rahm rages at 'whistler' in crowd after wild tee shot on opening round at The Open READ MORE: Former Shamrock Rovers and Inter Milan youngster scores in trial game for Sligo Rovers Tottenham-bound teenager Melia scored his first ever European goal and he teed up his teammate Leavy for the second. Kenny said: 'We have to get back on track now because obviously that was expensive for us, in terms of league points, 'But tonight is about the European game and that was a tough game for periods but we played and controlled it really well. 'Without doubt the standout performer - the player who caught the eye most was Kian Leavy - his influence on the night and the goal rounded it off for him, his first European goal.' Melia showed his poaching instincts to score from close range and Kenny was also delighted with his performance. 'Every goal doesn't have to be a brilliant finish. There is nothing wrong with finishing in the six yard box, striker's goals. We've been lacking those types of goals,' he said. 'Jason McClelland did brilliant, a good strike that the keeper palmed and he (Melia) was in there to finish it.' Kenny added: 'He was sharp onto it alright. He won't get an easier goal, but it's because he read the situation and he anticipated it, and that's a good side. 'There are more goals like that for him if he continues to react like that. He reacted in a way you want a striker to react and thankfully we got the goal.' The Pat's boss sent in Chris Forrester with 11 minutes remaining, for a little piece of St Pat's history. Forrester's 25th European appearance means he has played more times in continental games than anyone else for the Richmond Park outfit. And the man whose record he took, Ian Bermingham, was in Tirana scouting next week's opponents. 'It's been a milestone week for him,' said Kenny. 'Obviously, his 400th appearance last week, and also his 25th today in Europe, which is a record for St Patrick's Athletic. 'His good friend Ian Bermingham, of course, was in Tirana tonight for us as it happens. 'While he was in Tirana, his record was taken away from him by his good friend, Chris. So it's a great achievement, and hopefully, there's more for him there.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Watch awkward moment teenage sensation Mason Melia, 17, drops hilarious F bomb following St Pat's win over Hegelmann
MASON MELIA stopped himself in his tracks after dropping an F bomb following St Pat's win over Hegelmann. The 17-year-old scored one goal and set up the other as 2 Mason Melia scored his first European goal in St Pat's win over Hegelmann Credit: Evaldas Semiotas/Sportsfile 2 He dropped an accidental F bomb in his post-match interview Credit: St Patrick's Athletic Melia's strike was his first European goal, and the talented teenager said: "It's a proper striker 's goal. "Kian done brilliant. Jay had a good shot and I was following up, really. Striker's instinct. Delight to get the first goal. "I think it was huge. It got the fans going early. It got us going so it was a good start and that's what you want in any game of football ." After netting himself, the Read More on League of Ireland It sent the boisterous Pat's fans into raptures, with Melia accidentally dropping an F bomb in praising the support. "I have always said, it has always been really important. "Just listen to that there, it is f***ing..." he added before covering his mouth with his hand to stifle a laugh. He continued: "It is brilliant. Obviously family here as well to support me." Most read in Football But fans saw the funny side and cracked up at the teenager's embarrassed reaction, in particular. League of Ireland mascots compete in charity race in Naas One supporter of Con Murphy posted: "Mason's face when he slips the F is priceless..." Rep of Ireland Player Tracker said: "Skip to 1:35 if you want a laugh😂" It has been a good couple of days for On Wednesday, Shelbourne secured their place in the next round of the The Premier Division champions carried a 1-0 first leg win into the second leg in Belfast , and doubled that lead through Ali Coote. Linfield reduced the arrears with a penalty from ex-Dundalk man Chris Shields to draw the second leg level. But Joey O'Brien's men saw out the 2-1 aggregate victory to set up a clash against Qarabag in the next round.
The 42
7 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Leavy and Melia lead the way as classy St Pat's march on in Europe
Uefa Conference League, first-round qualifier, second leg Hegelmann 0 St Patrick's Athletic 2 St Patrick's Athletic win 3-0 on aggregate THIS WAS CLASSY and clinical from St Patrick's Athletic as they cut through Heglemann on their own patch to begin what they hope to be a resurgence in their season. Mason Melia and Kian Leavy did the damage with a goal each and all-round performances that were beguiling. Stephen Kenny has said his players have been doing all the right things during their sticky patch in the Premier Division and this display backed up such belief as the European campaign goes on. This was an Irish side going to Lithuania and looking stronger in every element of the game – tactically, physically and technically. The first leg was a story of missed opportunities but after six minutes of the return St Pat's were sharp and ruthless and, crucially, leading by two legs in the tie. The excellent Leavy started with purpose, perhaps with a point to prove given he was the one change to the starting XI in Dublin and began in place of Brandon Kavanagh. He drifted dangerously and blithely across the final third, taking the ball with his back to goal or turning and running with impressive decisiveness. It was this willingness to act on the front foot that created the opening goal, cutting in from the right wing, across the penalty box and getting his head up and the perfect time to see the run of Jason McClelland between two ball-watching Heglemann defenders. 😍 The assist by Melia 🎯 The finish by Leavy ⚽️⚽️ The Saints double their advantage on the night & now lead 3-0 on aggregate Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 The left back faked to take the shot first time, his marker stuttered just enough to allow him take a touch and powerful shot that was palmed by the goalkeeper straight into the path of the on-rushing Melia who tapped home inside the six-yard box. It was the perfect start to soothe any nerves and allow the Pat's players settle into their groove. Advertisement Leavy typified this confidence and spent the half with his head on a swivel and defenders with blurred vision trying to keep up his quick feet. The manner in which Pat's completely took charge of the game bodes well as their European run now sets to continue into the second qualifying round of this competition. At least €700,000 has been banked and with their opponents to be confirmed later this evening – the winner of Partizani from Albania and Estonia's Nõmme Kalju FC await – Kenny's side look to have rediscovered their mojo in the final third at just the right time. On the evidence of this performance it's baffling to realise Pat's had scored just once in 10 hours of football prior to the first leg. In Lithuania it looked as though they were capable of carving Hegelmann open at every opportunity. The way in which they made certain of progress with a second goal of the evening on 56 minutes illustrated the gulf in class, and there was no surprise to see Melia and Leavy combine to such devasting effect. The 17-year-old striker dropped into the centre circle, recieved a pass under pressure but had the close control and running ability to sprint away from pressure and end up on the opponents' 18-yard box within a matter of seconds. After doing all that hard work he maintained his cool to play an easy pass to his left for Melia. Others might well have overhit or miscued the ball after expending such energy but instead it was ideal for Leavy to take one touch, swivel his hips and leave a defender on the astro, then carefully rifle a finish into the roof of the net. It was lethal all round and the end of whatever resistance was left from the home side had wilted. Yet another clean sheet was never in danger for the Saints. The hosts were lucky not to concede a penalty when Melia was body checked in the box, and by that stage it was game-management for the Saints. Chris Forrester's substitute appearance on 80 minutes means he now holds the record for Pat's in Europe with 25. There will be at least two more opportunities to add to that tally and if this is the start of a resurgence who knows when it will end. Hegelmann: Vincentas Sarkauskas; Klaudijus Upstas, Vilius Armalas, Nikola Doric, Carlos Duke; Domantas Antanavicius, Lazar Kojic, Artem Shchedryi; Donatas Kazlauskas, Kader Njoya Abdel, Leo Ribeiro. St Patrick's Athletic: Joey Anang; Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond (captain), Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland (Anto Breslin 80); Jake Mulraney (Zach Elbouzedi HT), Barry Baggley, Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy (Al-Amin Kazeem 88), Simon Power (Chris Forrester 80); Mason Melia (Aidan Keena 72). Referee: Mads Kristoffersen (Den).
