Wednesday, May 18, 2011

TY Review :D

Well, well, well where to I begin????
TY has been such a busy year , even busier than third year. We have so many projects to be doing all year round, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Most of the projects that we are doing a a fun and interesting, and you get to work with new people. Ty is also a very good opportunity to improve your core subjects. I know it sounds weird, but it is really useful for leaving cert, as you get a whole extra year to practice your core subjects. You have a very good advantage over people who do not do ty. Many people say that ty is a doss, but that could not be further from the truth. Just because it is not about academics does not mean that it is a doss.
We did so many things over the whole year.I wont name all of them because I will be here for years,but here are some:
Social development day, colour me beautiful, fun run, pilates, modern dancing, english plays, mini company, f1 in schools, sean nos dancing, music night, fashion show, swim a mile, croke park, state laboratories visit, Irish youth ballet, young scientist and scifest, tag rugby tournament, easter feaster, charity work, Gaisce......I could go on for ages!!!!
Ty has definitely benefited me. I have met so many new people and made friends for life :) ty gives you opportunities that you would not get in any other year. I learned so many new things, and I will feel a lot more prepared for the LC than I would have if I went straight into 5th year.
You get out of ty what you put into it. Dont just cruise along and hope for the best.You need to put some work in, and then you will get the most out of the year. Ty teached you to be very organised, which is good preparation for the rest of your life. You get great life experiences, like work experience, which makes you feel like a proper worker everyday! You meet great people, and I will really miss Amina and Emnet <3 I know that next year, we will all be even closer.
Ty is an amazing year, quite stressful at times(!) but I would definitely reccomend it :)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Geography Links

1) http://jessmchughty.blogspot.com/2011/05/geography-george-best.html
2) http://jessmchughty.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-cantona.html
3) http://jessmchughty.blogspot.com/2011/05/peter-schmeichel.html
4) http://jessmchughty.blogspot.com/2011/05/bobby-charlton.html
5) http://jessmchughty.blogspot.com/2011/05/geography-5-ryan-giggs.html

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Geography 5 - Ryan Giggs


Giggs was born on the 29 Nov 1973. He holds an amazing amount of records for the club. He was voted United's greatest player ever in a world wide poll conducted by http://www.manutd.com/. He was presented with the award by Alex Ferguson. He is known for his balance, pace, skill and ability to dribble past opponents.
Giggs was spotted as a 13-year-old by Manchester City scout Dennis Schofield. His talent became widely recognised, and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson went to his house personally to urge him to sign for United instead of Manchester City, and he joined them on 29 November 1987 - his 14th birthday. Giggs turned professional on 29 November 1990 (his 17th birthday), by which time he was described by various sources to be the finest prospect in English football since George Best in the 1960s. Giggs made his League debut against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991, as a substitute for the injured full-back Denis Irwin in a 2–0 defeat. In his first full start, Giggs was credited with his first ever goal in a 1–0 win in the Manchester derby on 4 May 1991. Giggs broke into the first team even though he was still aged only 17, a mark of his skill and maturity, and paved the way as the first of many Manchester United youth players to rise into the first team under Ferguson. As the youngest member of the United first team squad, Giggs looked to the older players such as Bryan Robson for advice. He became a first-team regular early in the 1991–92 season
By the start of the 1992–93 season, the first season of the newly formed Premier League, Giggs was firmly established as United's first choice left winger, and became known as one of British football's most prodigious young players. Giggs, as the leader of this new revival of pacy and stylish football after the traditional years of long ball and route one styles of previous decades, played a key role in reshaping English football, and helped United to its first top division title win for 26 years, though they didn't go top until after Christmas and fought off competition from Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City.
His emergence and the arrival of Eric Cantona heralded the dominance of United in the new league. His manager was very protective of him, refusing to allow Giggs to be interviewed until he turned 20. The 1993/1994 season was when Man Utd won the double, and Giggs had a huge role in this achievment. Off the pitch, newspapers claimed Giggs had "single-handedly revolutionised football's image" when he appeared as teenager "with pace to burn." As a result of this, he was afforded many opportunities not normally offered to footballers at his young age, such as hosting his own television show, Ryan Giggs' Soccer Skills, which aired in 1994, and also had a book based on the series. Giggs was part of the Premier League's attempt to market itself globally, re forging its image after the hoolaginism years of the 1980's. Giggs became a household name and is hailed as the "Premiership's first poster boy". At the end of the 1993-94 season, Giggs won a second title in a row, and became the first player in history to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards, a feat that has not been bettered. It is worth reminding that at this stage, he was still only 21 years of age.
Giggs proved to be a great goalscorer, many of his memorable goals being shortlisted for various Goal of the Season awards. Widely regarded as among his best were those against Queens Park Rangers in 1993, Tottenham in 1994, Everton in 1995, Coventry in 1996, and the most remarkable of all, his solo-goal against Arsenal in the replay of the 1999 FA Cup semi-final. During extra time, Giggs picked up possession after Patrick Vieira gave the ball away, then ran from the half-way line, dribbled past the whole Arsenal back line, including Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown before launching his left-footed strike just under David Seaman's bar and beyond his reach.
1994–95 saw Giggs restricted through injury to 29 Premier League games and only 1 goal, later in the season he recovered his form and fitness, though it was too late to help United to any major trophies. They lost the premier league to Blackburn, and a 1-0 defeat in the FA cup final saw them lose to Everton. In the 1994-95 season, Giggs did get on the scoresheet twice in the opening Champions League game against IFK Gothenburg, but Man Utd failed to progress to the quarter finals. Giggs managed only 4 goals in all competitions in that season.
In 1995–96, Giggs returned to full form and played a vital part in United's unique second double, his goal against Everton at Goodison Park on 9 September 1995 being shortlisted for the "goal of the season" award. Giggs played along some of the breakthrough youngsters such as Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Paul Scholes, who all signed for United. The following season, Giggs had his first real chance to shine in Europe. Having played a key role in United winning their third league title in four seasons, he helped them reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, the first United side in 28 years to achieve this. However, their hopes of European glory were ended by Borussia Dortmund, who edged them out by winning each leg of the semi-final 1–0.
In 1997–98, United were pipped to the Premier League title by Arsenal, following a dismal run of form leaving them without a trophy for only the second time since 1989. The following season, Giggs missed a lot of games through injury, but when he was fit his form was excellent and he played in both of United's cup finals that season. Memorable moments were his extra-time goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal to give United a 2–1 win, and his 90th minute equaliser in the home leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Juventus, a 1–1 draw which was followed two weeks later by a 3–2 win in Turin where United came from two goals behind.

The highpoint in the 1998–99 season was when Giggs set up the equalising goal scored by Teddy Sheringham in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final that set United on their way to the Treble. Striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the winning goal with the last kick of the game, which saw Man Utd win the treble that season. Giggs became United's longest serving player when Denis Irwin left in May 2002, and he became a part of the club, despite still being in his twenties. Giggs continued to excel in the four years that followed the Treble triumph of 1999. United were Premier League champions in three of the four seasons following the treble, as well as reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals three times and the semi-finals once. He celebrated his 10-year anniversary at Old Trafford with a testimonial match against Celtic at the start of the 2001–02 campaign. He scored his 100th goal against Chelsean in 2002.
Giggs has reinvented himself and continues to contribute positively to the United cause even after team-mates like David Beckham and Roy Keane had left. Giggs has also benefited from being largely injury-free aside from a series of hamstring problems which, according to his autobiography, prevents him from running at full throttle to this day. December 2007 brought two landmark achievements - Ryan was awarded the OBE for his services to football and he scored his 100th league career goal in the 4-0 victory over Derby County at Old Trafford.
On 11th may 2008, he scored the second goal which saw Man Utd win the league title. On 21 May 2008, Giggs broke Bobby Charlton's appearance record for United when coming on as an 87th minute substitute for Paul Scholes in the Champions League Final against Chelsea. United would go on to win the Final, defeating Chelsea 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw after extra time.
On 8 February 2009, Giggs maintained his record of being the only player to score in every season of the Premier League since its beginning in 1992 by netting the only goal in a 1–0 win over West Ham United. He got the PFA player of the year in April 2009. In 2009, Man utd and Giggs won their 11th title.
Giggs still has the pace and skill that he had 20 years ago today. He is Man Utd's longest serving player, and has never played for any other team. He has never been sent off for United, which shows his dedication and respect to the game. He has won the most awards for United and has the most number of apperances - 874. This number will continue to grow though, as will his goals tally- 159.




Cardiff



Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales. Cardiff is a significant tourism centre and the most popular visitor destination in Wales with 14.6 million visitors in 2009. The development of the Cardiff Docks played a major part in Cardiff’s development by being the means of exporting coal from the South Wales Valleys to the rest of the world, helping to power the industrial age. It was the worlds largest coal port. The coal mining industry helped fund the growth of Cardiff to become the capital city of Wales and helped the Third Marquis of Bute, who owned the docks, become the richest man in the world at the time. From the 1850s coal replaced iron as the industrial foundation of South Wales, as the Cynon Valley and Rhondda Valley were mined. In 1862, 2,000,000 tons of coal were exported from Cardiff Docks; by 1913, this had risen to 10,700,000 tons. By 1932, in the depths of the Great Depression, coal exports had fallen to below 5 million tons. It was an era of depression from which Cardiff never really recovered, and despite intense activity at the port during the Second World War, coal exports continued to decline, finally ceasing in 1964.
Cardiff has a maritime climate. Summers tend to be warm and sunny, with average maximum temperatures between 19 °C and 22 °C. Winters tend to be fairly wet, but rainfall is rarely excessive and the temperature usually stays above freezing.
The centre of Cardiff is relatively flat, but is bounded by hills on the east, north and west.









Monday, May 9, 2011

Bobby Charlton









Bobby Charlton was born on the 11th october 1937 in Ashington, Northumberland. He is reknowned for his attacking instincts from midfield, and his ferocius long range shot. Former Irish player Johnny Giles described Charlton as: " the greatest player I ever played with or against". All over the world there were children who could speak only two words of English.
In february 1953, he was spotted playing for his school by United scout Joe Armstrong. He subsequently signed for United. He signed with them on the 1st January 1954. Charlton became one of the famed Busby Babes, the collection of talented footballers who emerged as Matt Busby set about a plan of rebuilding the club after the Second World War. He scored regularly for the youth and reserve sides.
He made his professional debut in october 1956, against Charlton athletic (who else??!) He scored twice on his debut. United won the league, but were denied the 1957 FA cup by Aston Villa. Charlton had a great season, including a hat trick against Charlton athletic in the february. He scored a total of 12 goals in all competitions.
Charlton was an established player by the the next season was underway, which saw United, as current League champions, become the first English team to compete in the European Cup the semi-finals where they lost to holders Real Madrid. Their reputation was further enhanced the next season as they reached the quarter finals to play Red Star Belgrade. The score on aggregate was 6-3 , and the players were in a jubilant mood on the flight home from Yugoslavia.The Munich Air disaster of february 1958 is an event that will be in the heart of fans forever.
The plane in which they were flying home, a British European Airways Elizabethan, had stopped at Munich to refuel. There was slush on the runway as it took off. The Elizabethan never made it off the ground. Just 54 seconds after the pilot opened the throttle, the plane hit the airport's perimeter fence, slithered 200 yards across a frozen field and burst into flames. A wing had been torn off and the tail section had broken away, scattering bodies into the snow. Twenty-one people died, including 7 of the Busby Babes. Charlton, just 20, had been thrown 40 yards clear of the wreckage and escaped with a cut head. Busby came home and with his assistant Jimmy Murphy, who had not been on the flight, and set about rebuilding his shattered team. Charlton was to be the player central to his plans.
The team managed to complete the season. Busby's assistant stepped in as manager. A team largely made up of reserve and youth team players beat Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 in the first match after the disaster. The programme for that match showed simply a blank space where each United player's name should have been.
United only won one league game after the crash, causing their title challenge to collapse and they fell to ninth place in the league. They did manage to reach the final of the FA Cup, however, losing 2–0 to Bolton Wanderers,and even managed to beat Milan at Old Trafford in the semi-finals of the European Cup, only to lose 4–0 at the San Siro.
Busby resumed his managerial post the next season. Man Utd's next sucess was in the FA cup of 1963, in which Charlton was a key player. He went on to win a world cup winners medal with England in 1966, England's only success in this competition.
He gained 106 caps for England, and remains to this day, their top goal scorer with 49 goals.
In 1967, he was one of the key players that won the league title, enabling to play in the following season's european cup. He enjoyed a huge success with united in 1968, when they became the first english team to win the european cup. United beat Benfica 4-1 in the final, played at Wembley. Charlton was one of the goalscorers on the night.
Charlton was one of the best footballers in europe at this time, and won numerous awards. While united's fortunes took a turn for the worst after the european cup win, Charlton was a top performer.
He retired in 1973, having appeared 758 times in the red shirt and scored 249 goals. He recieved a knoghthood in 1994 for his services to football, and remains involved with Man Utd today as a director of the club.
Charlton is seen as one of the finest role models to ever play the game. He had exquisite skill, but never argued with referees and showed honesty and respect. He truly is a Man Utd legend.






Ashington



Ashington is located in the northeast of England, in Northumberland. It grew from a few farms in the early 19th century to a large coal mining village when the coal mine opened in 1867
The first evidence of mining is from bell-shaped pits and monastic mine workings discovered in the 20th century during tunnelling. Ashington developed from a small village in the 1840s, as the Duke of Portland built housing to encourage people escaping the Irish potato famine to come and work at his nearby collieries. As in many other parts of Britain, "deep pit" coal mining in the area declined during the 1980s and 1990s In 2006 plans for an opencast mine on the outskirts of the town were put forward, although many people objected to it. During the heyday of coal-mining, Ashington was considered to be the "world's largest coal-mining village". There is now a debate about whether Ashington should be referred to as a town or a village; if considered as a village it would be one of the largest villages in England. Growth of the towns coal mining expanded, more people left the countryside and settled in Ashington.
The mines closed in 1988, but Ashington is proud of its history which is remembered at the nearby Woodhorn Museum.
The physical geography of Northumberland is diverse. It is low and flat near the North Sea coast and increasingly mountainous toward the northwest. Lying off the coast of Northumberland are the Farne Islands, another dolerite outcrop, famous for their bird life. Being in the far north of England, and having many areas of high land, Northumberland is one of the coldest areas of the country. It has an average annual temperature of 7.1 to 9.3 °C, with the coldest temperatures inland. However, the county lies on the east coast, and has relatively low rainfall.













Peter Schmeichel








Peter Schmeichel was born on the 18th November 1963. He is nicknamed the "Great Dane" by fans. This is partly due to his intimidating physique - he is 6 foot 4" and weighs 16 stone. His size XXXL jerseys had to be specially made for him! But he was also given this nickname because of his amazing goalkeeping skills, making him the best goalkeeper ever for United. He was voted the World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993.
He was relatively unknown before he came to United, playing with small Danish clubs. He moved to United in 1991, following his impressive displays for Denmark. He was bought for £530,000, which Alex Ferguson described as "the bargain of the century". Life in the premiership is tough for goalkeepers, because they have to be very physical, but this suited Schmeichel down to a tee.
He made his debut for United on the 17th August 1991 against Notts County. United secured a 2-0 win. In his first season at united, they came runners up in the league and won the Football League Cup for the first time in their history. In this season, he also helped Denmark to win the European Championship.
In the 92/93 season, Schmeichel kept 22 clean sheets, which earned him the name "Mr Clean Sheet". He played in every single game, and helped United to their first Premier League title in 26 years. He was named world's best goalie in 92 and 93. In January 1994, he had a row with Ferguson after their 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Apparently Schmeichel said some nasty things, and Ferguson subsequently sacked him. Schmeichel made a sincere apology and Ferguson decided to let him stay, he wouldn't want to lose the amazing skill of Schmeichel. Ironically, Man Utd went on to win the 93/94 Premier League title and the FA cup.
During the 1995-96 season - in which United claimed on historic double-double (being the first club to win two doubles, after beating Liverpool 1-0 in the F.A. Cup final and pipping Newcastle United to the League title) - Peter Schmeichel scored his first and only goal for United when he headed the equaliser in a UEFA Cup first round draw against Russian's Rotar Volgograd on 26 September 1996. Despite being a goalkeeper, he would run into the attack if his team was behind.
The 1998/1999 season was by far the best season Schmeichel had at United. Man Utd won the FA cup against Arsenal. Schmeichel saved a penalty kick from Bergkamp in the last minutes of the game to send it into extra time. In the absence of the suspended Roy Keane, Schmeichel captained the team into the Champions League final in May 1999. Their opponents, Bayern Munich were leading 1-0 until the very last minutes of the game. With the game heading into second-half injury time and Manchester United facing defeat, The Reds won a corner. As was usual when United needed to score Peter Schmeichel went up for the corner. As the ball was swung in by David Beckham, Schmeichel's presence seemed to distract the Bayern defence and a poor clearance fell to the feet of Ryan Giggs whose shot was turned in by Teddy Sheringham. Their opponents were deflated and United could sense victory. In the last seconds of the game, Man Utd won a corner. Beckham's corner kick was flicked in by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This 2–1 victory for United ensured that Schmeichel's United career ended on the highest possible note. In an unforgettable celebratory moment, Schmeichel was shown cartwheeling gleefully in his area after Solskjaer's winning goal. In his final season at United, they won the treble - the premier league, FA cup and the champions league.
He managed to win everything he could, including 5 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League. He appeared 292 times for United, and in his whole career scored 12 goals, an amazing feat for a goalkeeper.







Copenhagen


Copenhagen is the capital and largest city in Denmark. Copenhagen has repeatedly been recognized as one of the cities with the best quality of life. It is also considered one of the world's most environmentally friendly cities. The water in the inner harbour is so clean that you can swim in it, and 36% of all citizens commute to work by bicycle. Every day they cycle a combined 1.2 million km.

Copenhagen is in the oceanic climate zone, which means that it experiences changing weather patterns in all 4 seasons of the year. It experiences moderate precipitation throughout the year. The hottest month of the year is July with an average temperature of 20.4 degrees celcius.

Copenhagen has always been associated with beer. Carlsberg has been brewed in Copenhagen since 1847. Carlsberg is the fourth largest brewery group in the world. The old brewery in Copenhagen is open to visitors and some of the famous visitors included Winston Churchill and Queen Elizbeth II.

Many tourists flock here to see the famous statue of Hans Christian Andersen or the Little Mermaid.

The little mermaid statue sits on a rock in the harbour, and attracts many tourists.

More tourist attractions are:
Tivoli- the old amusement park from 1843

Amalienborg Palace - the home of the Danish Royal Family.

Eric Cantona







Eric Cantona was born on 24 May 1966. He is one of the most flamboyant players ever to play the game. He has an iconic status at man Utd and is nicknamed "King Eric" by fans.
He began his career at the small french side, Auxerre. He appeared 82 times and scored 23 goals. After Auxerre, he transferred to another French team, Marseille. He scored 13 goals in 40 appearances. Cantona was then advised to transfer to England, and he did that, signing for Leeds United in 1992. Although he only scored three goals, he was instrumental in their title success, primarily with assists for the leading goalscorer. His hat-trick in the Charity Shield places him among the small elite of players to have scored three or more goals in games at Wembley Stadium.
Cantona left Leeds for Manchester United for £1.2 million on 26 November 1992. The next four seasons with Manchester United would see him stamping his name on the history books to go down as one of the greatest legends to play for United. His debut was against Man City on the 12th December. United won 2-1 put Cantona failed to make an impact. The season up until Cantona's signing had not been going very well, and United were becoming out of the running for the league title. However, Cantona settled into the team quickly, and he found home on the turf where George Best ahd played 2 decades earlier. His first goal came in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In Cantona's first season at Old Trafford, United won the Premier League by 10 points – winning the title for the first time since 1967. In doing so, he became the first player to win back-to-back English top division titles with different clubs.
In his second season, Man Utd retained the premier league trophy once again. His two penalties in the FA cup final against Chelsea helped them to win. He won PFA player of the year for this season also. The 93/94 season was the first season of squad numbers in the premier league. He was issued the historic number 7 shirt, which he kept for the rest of his career with Man Utd.
The next season was indeed a very memorable one for Cantona, but not in a very good way. On the 25th January 1995, he was involved in an incident with a Crystal Palace fan. Cantona was sent off by the referee for a kick on Palace defender Richard Shaw after Shaw had pulled his shirt. As he was walking towards the tunnel, Cantona launched a 'kung-fu' style kick into the crowd, directed at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons, followed by a series of punches. Cantona was arrested and convicted for assault, resulting in a two week prison sentence. This was overturned in the appeal court and instead he was sentenced to 120 hours of community service. He was banned until October 1995, which meant that he missed the end of the season, and Man Utd ironically lost the title. Cantona was frustrated with the terms of the agreement, and wanted to leave England, but Alex Ferguson persuaded him to stay.
His comeback game was against Liverpool on 1 October 1995. He set up a goal for Nicky Butt two minutes into the game, and then scored a penalty after Ryan Giggs was fouled. However, eight months without competitive football had taken its toll and Cantona struggled to get back to his original form. It was a very tight battle against Newcastle for the premier league title, but in the second half of the season, United overtook them and won the title. They reached the 1996 FA cup final against Liverpool. The regular captain, Steve Bruce was missing through injury, and Cantona was given the captain's band. He then scored the only goal of the game, and became the first non British player to lift the FA cup as captain. That season was the pinnacle of his time at Old Trafford.
He was confirmed captain for the next season, which saw Man Utd retain the title again. He had won 4 league titles in 5 years - a remarkable achievment. At the end of this season, age 30, he announced that he was retiring from football. He scored a total of 80 goals in all competitions for United, and his certainly put his stamps on the club's history books.
With his no 7 shirt collar stiffly upright, as if it had been starched, the theatrical swagger and poise, Cantona was born to play for Man Utd. It wasn't just his technical abilities that made him stand out from the rest, he led by example and never gave up. He orchestrated the talents of the young Giggs, Beckham and Keane. His legacy will stay with United forever.






Marseille




Marseille is the second largest city in France, after Paris. It is situated on the southeast coast of France, beside the Mediterranean sea. It enjoys a beautiful Mediterranean climate, with 6 summer months from from May to October. The mean summer temperature is 24 degrees celcius. Because of the beautiful weather and spectacular scenery, it has become a popular tourist destination in the summertime. It has a deep history, sun drenched beaches and is one of the most popular cities in France.




The Marseille tourist industry is one of the principal economic forces, actively contributing to the city's economy. It is France's leading seaport and a third of France's ocean borne foreign trade passes through the modern port. Petrol and agricultural products account for most of the tonnage handled. Oil refining, shipbuilding, food processing, and chemical manufacturing are the city's largest industries. Others produce electrical and electronics equipment, pottery, clothing, shoes, and tobacco products. Marseille is served by major railways and airlines and is linked with the Rhône River by a canal.
Although it dates back more than 200 years, it is a modern city, but still has links to the rich past. Tourists can visit the prison of Chateau d'If, which was made famous by Alexandre Dumas in the Count of Monte Cristo. From colourful markets that make you feel like you are in Africa, to the Calanques (a natural area of big cliffs falling into the sea), from the Panier area (the oldest place of the city) to the Vieux-Port (old harbor) and the Corniche (a road along the sea) Marseille has definitely a lot to offer.
There are many cathedrals, fortresses and historical building like the old city hall from the 17th century. The old port has many cafes and places to eat in. There are beautiful mountains and beaches, which make Marseille's tourism thrive.
















Thursday, May 5, 2011

Geography - George Best










George Best was the first child of Dickie and Anne Best, and grew up in Cregagh, Belfast. He was born on the 22nd May 1946. At the age of 15, Best was discovered by the Manchester United scout, Bob Bishop in Belfast. Bishop famously said to manager Matt Busby: "I think I've found you a genius." He was given a trial for Man Utd and was subsequently signed. This was the beginning of what was to be an amazing career.
He made his Man Utd debut at the age of 17, against West Bromwich Albion. United won 1-0. His first goal was against Burnley in a 5-1 win. By the end of his first season, he had appeared 26 times and scored 6 goals. Unfortunately Man Utd did not win the league this season, but finished 2nd, 4 points behind Liverpool.
Best hit the headlines at the age of twenty when he scored two goals in a European Cup quarter-final match against Benfica in 1966. He was an immediate crowd and media pleaser because of his good looks and footballing skills. The 1966–67 season was again successful, as Manchester United claimed the league title by four points. The following season, Best became a European Cup winner after scoring in the final against Benfica. United won 4–1 and Best was later crowned European Footballer of the Year.
In 1974, aged 27, Best quit United for good. His last competitive game for the club was on 1 January 1974 against Queens Park Rangers. In total Best made 470 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions from 1963 to 1974, and scored 179 goals (including six in one game against fourth division Northampton Town — an extraordinary feat that in 2002 the British public voted #26 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments). He was the club's top scorer for six consecutive seasons, and was the First Division's top scorer in the 1967–68 season.
After leaving United, Best played with various other clubs around the world. He played in places including Ireland, America, Australia and Scotland.
There is no wonder that he is considered one of the best footballers the world had ever seen. He could beat opponents with skill and dazzling tricks, swerving through defenders, or go past them with a burst of devastating speed. He could shoot brilliantly with either foot and out-jump much taller opponents to win the ball in the air. George Best had the confidence and arrogance to try absolutely anything - he knew he was a genius and was not afraid to show it.

Best was strong enough to take the knocks and abuse from the less talented players who would try to hack him out of the game. Best took it all on the chin and triumphed regardless. When he tried one trick too many and lost the ball he would fight twice as hard to get it back. He would inspire his team and bring a crowd, home or away, to its feet.


BELFAST

It is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland.
Belfast has been very famous in the last 100 years for its ship building. Ship building was one of Belfast's biggest industries, employing thousands of people in the days of its height. Actual ship building in Belfast began in 1791. The Harland and Wolff shipyard was founded in 1862 by Edward J. Harland and G.W. Wolff. At its height, Belfast had one of the biggest shipyards in the world, employing over 30,000 people. The most famous ship to be built in Belfast is also the most famous ship in the world, “The Titanic”. During World War II shipbuilding and engineering boomed. These essential industries made Belfast a target for German bombing and the city suffered severely during the blitz. Belfast has been the scene for many sectarian conflicts between Protestants and Catholics. Belfast has seen some of the worst of “The Troubles”. It has seen assassinations, bombings and street violence. In total, 1500 people were killed in political violence in Belfast.
Some famous landmarks in Belfast are:
Stormont Castle, Belfast Castle, Queens University, Albert Memorial Clock, Belfast City Hall and Queens University.
Belfast is situated in a northern latitude location, which gives it long summer evenings and short winter days. The city has some lovely scenery, like Belfast lough, the river Lagan, and many hills including Divis Mountain, Black Mountain and Cavehill. Belfast has a temperate climate, which is very similar to the climate down here in Kildare.