Loughrey had a fine game and even chipped in with a point as Ulster overcame Connacht 3-16 to 0-11 during last weekend’s semi-final in Sligo.

His appearance in his familiar wing-back role was the first time a player from St Brigid’s has represented Ulster but the former All-Ireland winning manager insisted both Loughrey and his Antrim team mate, Tomás McCann, were there on merit.

Indeed, the Crossmaglen man said the presence of players from eight counties is the reason why the competition is so special.

“James did very well for us at the weekend. I spoke to Liam Bradley and he couldn’t praise him enough,” he said.

“Tomás is playing really well too, so it’s great to have them in. I keep saying that the beauty of the competition is that you have all these great players in the same team and there were even some northern people who made the long trek to Sligo at the weekend.

“It was great for them that they were able to go and watch players from their own counties and clubs.

“Every county was represented from Ulster except Fermanagh who had a league game over in London or else we would have had some of their players.”

Ulster put in a stunning performance at the weekend to put themselves in position to retain the title they won in 2009 (the last year the inter-pros were played).

Goals from Peter Harte, Mark Poland and Martin Penrose ensured the men from the west were brushed aside with relative ease.

However, Kernan is expecting a tougher test this week against a Munster side that had three points to spare over Leinster.

With Cork and Kerry, two of the giants of the modern game, perhaps it was surprising to note that Munster’s full-forward line of David Tubridy (Clare), Gary Hunrey (Waterford) and Ian Ryan (Limerick) were the stars of the show, chipping in with 1-10 between them.

“I was delighted that we won and how we played, but it is great to now be in the final,” added Kernan.

“The boys put in a very good performance, played some lovely football and it was a pleasure to watch.

“Munster will be better. It is surprising that they had a full-forward line of players from Limerick, Waterford and Clare that were the stars of the show but that is the beauty of the competition.”

The attendances at last weekend’s semi-finals in hurling and football drew disappointing crowds and yet again, GAA President Christy Cooney has suggested this as a reason why the series should be ended despite it being against the wishes of the players.

Kernan has urged the Ulster football public to come out in force to show there is still interest in the competition and is confident the quality on show will be worth the trip.

“I know there are some people who are happy there are low attendances,” slammed the Ulster boss.

“They took the game last week to Sligo, which isn’t a GAA town, and they are wrong to do that.

“We would be hoping this week the GAA do something like let parents in free if they bring their kids or something.

“If every county goes along and supports it then I would be hoping for five or six thousand in Armagh this weekend.

“The quality of football and players is unbelievable.

“We are always complaining the quality of football is poor but if you saw these boys last week the football just flowed out of them and it was a joy to behold.”

I was born in Belfast.

I grew up in Finaghy.

I now live in Ravenhill.

I was educated at Methody followed by a year at BIFHE (now Belfast Met) and then I did my degree at the Art College in Belfast

My earliest memory is playing on a swing in my parents’ back garden with my granny – it was when my mum was in hospital about to have my wee brother, so a pretty big day

When I was a child I wanted to be a lot of things, from a tattooist to a motorbike racer when I was very young, but I always wanted to do something to do with art or music as they were always my favourite subjects at school.

I actually became a photographer. I work with lots of bands, local businesses and PR companies. I get to work with art and music when I’m doing band shoots so it’s the dream job. Alongside that I also teach photography and do a little bit of radio work, which I absolutely love.

Worst job I’ve ever had was probably the six weeks I lasted in the Civil Service after university. I thought the job was photography but it was actually cataloguing photographs for a website so I sat at a computer eight hours a day. It was so terribly boring I couldn’t cope and quit!

Best job I’ve ever had is the one I have right now. I’m very lucky to do something I love so it never feels like work. I get to meet so many great people and it never gets dull.

The bravest thing I’ve ever done is probably the decision to leave a good full time job to go freelance. It was a scary prospect with no guarantees but it was something I’d wanted to do for such a long time and I have never regretted it once.

The stupidest thing I’ve ever done was because I’m quite accident-prone a few months ago I cut the top off my thumb trimming a print because I used a Stanley knife. That was pretty stupid (and also quite painful)!

The biggest thing I’ve yet to do is to travel more with my work and see more of the world!

The people who have inspired me most are my family and friends who have supported me no matter what and have always inspired me to keep pushing. I love the work of photographers like Paul Harries, Mick Rock and Pennie Smith. Their music work really inspired me to get into that type of photography. The people I get to work with really help too – when you work with people who are passionate you can’t help but get inspired.

The most important thing in the world is being happy. Life’s too short to waste time doing things you hate.

I’m very bad at getting out of bed. I am not a morning person at all. I’m too used to working nights and find mornings terrible, at least until I get a cuppa.

I’m very good at talking to people. I love meeting new people and getting to know them and thankfully I have the gift of the gab which really helps put people at ease when I’m photographing them.

I’m most proud of last year when I got to work with the Skyway Club in Ballynafeigh, a group for those with learning disabilities. After learning digital photography we got talking about getting the guys in front of the camera. We shot a murder mystery-themed exhibition for Culture Night and the photos turned out brilliantly. They were really enthusiastic and the reaction on the night of the show was totally overwhelming – and it helped raise awareness for the charity. I also held a Motown solo exhibition in the Ulster Hall as part of Belfast Music Week, and so many people helped out and came to the opening.

My best friend would say I am a workaholic and should take a weekend off, but also they know I love it and they are glad to see me doing well.

I like to relax by I’ll not lie – I rarely relax as I like to be busy. But when I do get a rare night off I like going to gigs or meeting friends for a catch-up.

My favourite saying is ‘Catch your dreams before they slip away.’ It’s a line from ‘Ruby Tuesday’ by the Rolling Stones, who are one of my favourite bands. It’s so true, though – in fact, I have it tattooed round my wrist so I don’t forget it.

The last book I read was a book on Magnum photographers, a photo agency whose work I adore.

My favourite movie is ’The Nightmare Before Christmas’. I went to see it with my mum when I was a kid and I’ve always loved it. I’m a huge Tim Burton fan!

The actor that would play me in a movie of my life would be Emma Stone. She’s funny, doesn’t take herself too seriously and she has red hair, so I think she would suit.

The song that makes me dance is Anything by Poison, Motley Crüe or Whitesnake.

The song I would have played at my funeral would be ’God Gave Rock ‘n Roll to You’ by Kiss or some AC/DC; maybe ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top if you Wanna Rock ‘n Roll’.

The best place I’ve ever been I went to New Orleans a few years ago with a really good friend and we had an amazing time. It was a beautiful place and everywhere you went there was music.

The place I have to visit before I die is definitely Mexico. I’ve always wanted to go there for the Day of the Dead. Far from being morbid they take it as a chance to celebrate people who have lived and I think that’s a beautiful way to look at death. Also I love Mexican food and there’d be so many great places to photograph.

The last person I talked to on the phone was my boyfriend Leigh telling him I’ll be late finishing work as usual. I was on a shoot and it was going so well we just spent time doing some extra photos to see what we could come up with and I can’t wait to get them finished.

The last text message I received was from Gerry from the band A Plastic Rose. They were the shoot I was working on.

In this annual event, the Belfast Media Group brings together 40 people under the age of 40 who are high achievers in their chosen fields – community endeavour, commerce, politics, sport, the arts. To be in the Great Hall for lunch on Thursday was to see the depth of young talent that this city possesses. And while there is much talk, as indeed there should be and will continue to be, of those young people who are left behind by society, on this occasion the spotlight was very firmly on our brightest and our best.

These were our truly privileged young people, not in terms of finance or wealth, but in terms, much more importantly, of talent and tenacity.

Well-travelled, outward-looking, active, dynamic, and assured beyond their years, the 40 honourees spoke of a bright future for Belfast.

Coming from all corners of the city and every walk of life, those recognised gave every indication of being a breakthrough generation for Belfast; the generation which will view the past as prologue for the next chapter in the city’s story.

Among the many qualities this group of high-achievers demonstrated was a willingness to take on the role of ambassadors for the fast-changing city of Belfast.

There was a clear understanding that their role is not just to build their personal careers – and of course we wish them well in that – but to also give back to the city which has made them what they are.

In that respect, the 40 understand the most important lesson of all from this annual salute to the youth of Belfast: to those to whom much is given, much is also expected.

We expect, therefore, to read great things about the contribution of our 40 to Belfast in the years ahead.

Information campaigner John Collins was speaking to the South Belfast News this week after the launch of a public consultation process on the future  “viability” of Donegall Pass and Ballynafeigh stations.

A police spokesperson said senior officers will attend next Wednesday’s (February 29) district policing partnership meeting at Donegall Pass Community Centre to hear local comments on the review recommendations.

But Mr Collins said he’s convinced the decision had already been taken by senior management of the PSNI to close the buildings, ensuring South Belfast would be left with only one full-time police station. And that’s a recipe for disaster, added Mr Collins.

“I think it has already been decided – they are going and it doesn’t matter how many debates we have over it. They are earmarked to go and that is not going to change because the police want to cut their budget.

“It will mean the only local stations are Musgrave Street, which is full-time and Lisburn Road, which has part-time hours. So in effect, the only station the police will be operating out of is Musgrave Street, which will be used to cover the vast majority of South and East Belfast.”

Mr Collins said the potential reduction in the number of stations at a time of increased criminality was “ridiculous”.

“Recently we have had a spate of carjackings, quite a number of which have taken place in South Belfast. It makes sense to base your resources nearby so you can have a prompt response to any incident, but if everything is going to be based in Musgrave Street that is not going to be the case.

“There could be a scenario where there is a suspect device placed outside Musgrave Street Station. That would mean South Belfast would grind to a halt because they wouldn’t be able to operate from there.

“It beggars belief, especially at a time of heightened dissident activity. But it seems the most important thing is saving money and nothing is going to change that.”

South Belfast Area Commander Chief Inspector Gabriel Moran said the PSNI was continuing to “look very closely” at all local stations.

“We have to ensure we are using all of our resources, including buildings, in the most effective and efficient way to ensure we provide the best possible policing service to the local community.

“Recent restructuring across the police service has delivered an additional 50 police officers to front-line duties in South and East Belfast. A decision to recommend the closure of a station is not taken lightly. I can understand that some may take comfort in having a police station nearby. However, modern policing is about people, not buildings.”

Adrian and Mary McAuley were speaking to the Andersonstown News after their mild-mannered border collie Shep was attacked outside their Laurelbank house as they returned home from a taking him on a late night walk around midnight.

The injuries sustained in the attack on the six-year-old collie were so severe that Shep  received three separate layers of stitching to horrific tissue-tear wounds down one side of his body during a day-long operation in the wake of the February 6 attack.

Shep’s now back home and recovering, but Adrian and Mary are calling on the owner of the dog to turn himself in and to take his animal off the streets.

“We had come back from a walk and left Shep on our front porch while I went and fetched a towel to dry him off,” said Adrian. “Then we heard this terrible screaming coming from the front.  We ran to the front door and saw this dog who had Shep by his back and was trying to tear him apart.  Shep was trying to hide under the car but it was no use.”

On spotting Mr and Mrs McAuley, the owner of the pit bull dragged his animal away.

“When he saw us he pulled his grey hood over his head and grabbed his dog by his back legs. He had the dog’s lead in his hand the whole time,” said Adrian, who described the out-of-control dog as being golden-coloured with a brown mark on its head.

“I couldn’t get a good look at him as I was trying to get my wife back into the house in case it turned on her.  I’m sure it would have killed her had I not brought her back into the house.  That dog was literally foaming at the mouth, you could see the venom in its eyes.”

Mary said their vet told them the family pet was “lucky to be alive”.

“He said it was one of the most terrible injuries he’s ever seen,” she said. “His big coat saved him.  He’s back home now but he’s nervous.  He’s getting better as the days go on.”

The local grandparents pleaded with the dog owner to hand his dog over to the proper authorities.

“That dog is a killer – it was its intension to kill Shep,” said Mary. “God forbid a child had been there as it could easily have turned on it. That dog needs to be off the streets.”

Reid is to appear again before Belfast Magistrates Court tomorrow (Friday).

Kate Ward from the Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) Project was speaking after new research was released from the department  last month on mortality rates between 2003 and 2007. The Analysis of Mortality patterns in Northern Ireland report showed that Catholic males died at the average age of 76.3 compared to Protestant men at the age 77.2, while Catholic females died at the age of 80.8 compared to their Protestant counterparts who died on average at the age of 81.7.

The highest death rates were also found in those living in flats or apartments compared to terraced houses. Females living in detached homes had a 44 per cent lower death rate than those living in flats.

Campaigner Kate Ward said the latest report showed that the ongoing campaign to move families out of the New Lodge tower blocks is entirely justified.

“The residents of the Seven Towers’ most recent survey results show the health effects of poor housing; 71 per cent of residents feel their health has been affected by the poor heating, 83 per cent by the dampness and over 76 per cent of the residents visit their GP far in excess of the UK average of five times per year,” she said.

“Despite this however, when the residents, together with health and housing experts Professors Green and Ormandy, last year worked to construct a cost alternative proposal to the NIHE’s cladding proposal which would actually improve the health of the residents, they were told by Minister McCausland that they should accept the substandard scheme since ‘half a loaf is better than none at all’.

“Government has a duty to proactively engage with residents to improve their health regardless of where they live or what religious background they belong to. It is a duty which the government has thus far, failed to live up to for Towers’ residents.”

The report found that across the North prices are continuing to fall, but at a lower rate than previous months.

Laura McMillan said there is great value to be had in North Belfast and if buyers can get the deposits required, then houses are selling.

“The market in North Belfast is better in terms of transactions,” she said. “Prices remain low and transactions are increasing, which is positive. The lower end of the market is showing particular activity and first time buyers and the highest amount of transactions are around the £100,000 mark.”

She added that investors were also taking advantage of the lower prices and the rental potential in North Belfast. But she said it was too hard to predict whether the bottom of the market has been reached in North Belfast.

RICS Northern Ireland spokesman, Tom McClelland, said across the North the average prices “continue to come under downward pressure, although there will continue to be regional and property-type variation”.

“The indications for transaction volumes are more positive, though economic conditions this year will likely prevent any significant recovery,” he said.

The family of the 20-year-old barman, who was originally from Newington, held their final vigil at the Lagan Lookout Visitors Centre on Friday (February 10) after waiting and praying there since he fell.

Speaking to the North Belfast News this week Joby’s dad Joe Murphy said they will continue their own searches.

“We will be back on the water searching for him. They say the body can rise to the surface again and that is what we are hoping for. We know what he was wearing and we are just hoping to see something,” he said.

Police say that having completed a “rigorous check of the river environment” since Joby fell, “daily checks of the area will still be undertaken by vessels within the harbour and a further search operation will be initiated at the next low tide on Saturday, February 25.”

Meanwhile, Joe said his family were moved by the hundreds of people who attended the vigil last Friday.

Six hundred candles were lit and flowers scattered into the water, while prayers were said by St Mary’s on the Hill parish priest Fr John Forsythe.

“We have had so much support, the amount of people who have been coming up and shaking my hand has been amazing.”

Sinn Féin councillor for Newington Conor Maskey was at Friday night’s vigil.

“It was a very poignant vigil on Friday night in memory of Joby in terms of trying, through hope and prayer, to will the water to give him back to his family,” he said. “I am sure the family were extremely heartened by the amount of people who attended and I was proud to witness the best of the North Belfast community at the vigil. Like everyone else I am praying for his body to be found.”

The family will be praying again for Joby at a special service at Holy Family Church in Newington tomorrow (Friday, 6.30pm). Everyone is welcome.

The youngsters from the area took part in two art workshops in Hazelwood College along with local group New Lodge Arts to design a new sign welcoming visitors to Finlay Park.

A special opening party is planned for the park tomorrow (Friday) between 12 pm and 2pm when the park will have an opening party with a bird show, a visit from the Fire Service and entertainment.

Last month the North Belfast News reported that Belfast City Council’s costly refurbishment to Finlay Park was almost hampered by a malicious fire. However since then local mums have got together to save the park from closure and have planned a family event to celebrate the opening of the play facility.

Deborah Donnelly and Amy McHugh, who attended the first meeting on the park urged local people to come along on Friday and help celebrate and encouraged local young people who had been vandalising the park to take ownership of the only green space in the area.

Local councillor Tierna Cunningham said the party and art workshops proved that when local people get together they can take action on vandalism.

“This is proof that they can make things happen,” she said.

“I would urge everyone to come along and celebrate the day.”