Well, who would have thought the day would come when I would find myself a `soccer mum'?
It certainly has come as a bit of a surprise for me but here I am so load up the Volvo - isn't that what they say or something like that.
Yes, it's true, despite my reservations about my daughter taking up football I was convinced by everyone and anyone that it would be a good move and so, I gave it a go.
Celebrating 50 years this year, I had seen the signs for the Crossgar Youth League but to be honest, hadn't ever taken much notice.
However, when we ran the idea by four-year-old Abbie she was all for it, jumping for joy.
First things first, it was into O'Neills Sportswear to get Abbie something to wear and suffice to say, the man in the shop was quite amused when I explained that whatever she needed for this, it either had to be pink or at least have a shade of pink on it - it may be football but that doesn't mean she can't be girly.
So, outfit sorted (including shin pads), it was off for Abbie's first session and I have to say, arriving at the playing fields, I was so impressed with the set-up and the commitment and attitude of the group of volunteers who run this league.
Before long, Abbie - who is on the Manchester United team with her best friend, Rose - was in a bib and running on to the pitch.
Then the whistle blew and off she went, running up the pitch - with a big pink bow on her hair - directly towards the ice-cream van, at the opposite end of where she was meant to be scoring.
After a quiet mother/daughter talk on the aim of football, she was back on the pitch - holding hands with Rose - and the pair of them were running all over the place and while they may have been nowhere near the ball, they were both laughing out loud and had massive beaming smiles across their faces.
I was really moved by how supportive the coaches of each team were to the kids, always on hand, helping them, instructing them, encouraging them and it's a nice touch that local businesses get involved as sponsors.
It is such a wonderful set up and one that could be replicated across communities as a way of bringing people together.
I don't think we are eyeing up a multi-million pound deal with Arsenal ladies just yet, but she's having a ball and that's just priceless to me.
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Great news for Love Island fans this week - television bosses are planning to film a winter version of the hit show in South Africa.
The post-Christmas version will plug the gap left after Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother was cancelled.
It's great news for fans like me - and those who don't want to admit they are addicted to all the drama, coupling, uncoupling, flirting and fun.
It would be great to have the new version to look forward to in the new year.
By the way, let's get Maura out of the villa, she is not a nice person.
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Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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The winners of the Ark Farm competition are Anne McCoy, from Warrenpoint, Mrs P Doyle, from Craigavon, and Andrea McCullough, from Belfast.
