2010 has been a momentous year for Ireland and the world.
The global economic crisis hit the country hard, Brian Cowen was drunk on air, Tipperary won the All-Ireland, Gerry Ryan brushed off his mortal coil and the Pope apologised for the rape of Irish children.
JOE has compiled some of the best quotes the year has had to offer.
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Dolphins are ‘nonhuman persons’ who qualify for moral standing as individuals.
– Thomas White, Professor of ethics at
Loyola Marymount University in January.
Control is very, very important because if I lost control of all these multi-millionaires in my dressing room, I’m dead. So, if anyone steps out of my control, they’re dead.
– Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson in January.
I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems.
– Elton John in February. The comments would
lead him to be banned in Egypt.
I had affairs, I cheated. What I did was not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame. I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. For all that I have done, I am so sorry.
– Tiger Woods apologises for his
infidelity in February.
You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated.
– Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Ireland in March.
There is no denying the fact that the worldwide system of covering up cases of sexual crimes committed by clerics was engineered by the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Ratzinger.
– Theologian Hans Kung in April.
I think the Vatican – they’ve got more to talk about than the Beatles.
– Ringo Starr responds to the Vatican praising the Beatles,
40 years after declaring the Liverpool band evil.
You had to either respect and love the man or agree with him. Or both. Because no matter how much you did think him a bollocks, you couldn’t deny his talent or ability.
– Ray Foley’s tribute to Gerry Ryan on JOE.ie
following the 2FM DJ’s death in April.
If Argentina win the World Cup I’ll let whoever scores the winning goal do me up the arse.
– Argentina assistant manager Carlos Bilardo before the World Cup in
South Africa. Argentina wouldn’t go on to win, however, as Spain took the prize.
I’m just so proud of this bunch. We were gutted last year, but we said we’d be back. 2009 is dead and buried, 2010 is truly alive. He came in when the ship was sinking. But boy is it sailing today. All the way from Portroe, our messiah, our leader, Liam Sheedy.
– Tipperary captain Eoin Kelly praises his manager Liam Sheedy in his All-Ireland
acceptance speech, following his county’s 4-17 to 1-18 victory over Kilkenny.
We suffered disappointment and heartache and a few other things throughout the last few years. But we showed true character to come back and try and win it again here today.
– Cork Captain Graham Canty in his acceptance speech following
his county’s 0-16 to 0-15 victory over Down in the All-Ireland final.
God, what an uninspiring interview by Taoiseach this morning. He sounded half way between drunk and hungover and totally disinterested…
– the Tweet by Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney that
sparked the ‘Cowengate’ drunk-on-air scandal.
“It wasn’t my best performance and I would like to apologise for that.â€
– Brian Cowen says sorry for his Morning Ireland interview.
I took some Nurofen Plus alright, I know that, for my neck. And as you know, with me anyway there was pints and wine and stuff and Jesus I don’t know where I’d begin to make it up to you.
– Radio DJ Neil Prenderville apologises on air
following his Air Lingus ‘mastergate’ scandal.
I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract.
– Wayne Rooney on 20 October.
I’m delighted to sign another deal at United.
– Wayne Rooney on 22 October.
Ireland is fully funded into the middle of 2011. There is no application for emergency funding from the European Union.
– A spokesman for the Department of Finance states that
Ireland won’t be applying for a bailout on November 13.
I will be proposing to my colleagues that they should formally apply for a program.
– Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan confirms that
Ireland will be applying for a bailout on November 21.
RIP. Leslie Nielsen. Shirley, he will be missed.
– Russell Brand tweets after the death
of a legendary comic actor.
Minister Mary Coughlan should keep her mouth closed when I’m speaking because she’s on a lot more than the €92,000.
– Rising star Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty
in his first Dail speech.
He is an anti-American operative with blood on his hands, Why was he not pursued with the same urgency we pursue al-Qa’ida and taliban leaders?
– Future US President Sarah Palin criticises
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
I unfortunately have never in my life been to a wild party.
– Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi responds to
allegations that he was organising sex parties.
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