The Americast team assembles for a late evening/early morning special as President Trump delivers the longest State of the Union address ever. On the agenda was a full-throated defence of the administration’s record, hailing a “turnaround for the ages,” whilst playing down the Supreme Court’s ruling against his signature tariff policy (with the judges themselves in the crowd).
Despite the speech lasting nearly two hours, there was little to suggest a change of course from Trump’s favourite taking points. He focused on the economy, immigration, the Democrats…. And the US men’s olympic hockey team.
But with growing voter dissatisfaction souring the polls, will Trump’s sales pitch be enough to counter sliding approval ratings and convince voters to stick with him for November’s midterm election?
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HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
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This episode was made by Rufus Gray, Grace Reeve and Kris Jalowiecki. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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A federal judge in Oregon late Wednesday ordered narrow changes to hydropower dam operations on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest in order to help salmon, saying that the Trump administration’s plans for the massive structures would harm salmon runs that are “disappearing from the landscape.”
The ruling came in a decades-long legal effort by the states of Oregon and Washington, Native American tribes and conservation and fishing groups to ensure better protections for migrating salmon, which are killed in large numbers by the massive dams.
In a landmark 2023 deal that paused the litigation in favor of finding long-term solutions, the Biden administration promised to spend $1 billion over a decade to help restore salmon while also boosting tribal clean energy projects.
But last year the Trump administration torpedoed that agreement, calling it “radical environmentalism” that could have resulted in the breaching of four controversial dams on the Snake River, and the plaintiffs went back to court.
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U.S. District Judge Michael Simon in his ruling Wednesday lamented what he described as the “disappointing history of government avoidance and manipulation instead of sincere efforts at solving the problem.”
“One of the foundational symbols of the West, a critical recreational, cultural, and economic driver for Western states, and the beating heart and guaranteed resource protected by treaties with several Native American tribes is disappearing from the landscape,” Simon wrote. “And yet the litigation continues in much the same way as it has for 30 years.”
A dispute over water and spill levels
Oregon and the other plaintiffs had asked Simon to lower the levels of reservoirs behind the dams, which they argued can help fish travel through them faster, and increase the amount of water spilled past them, which can help fish pass over the dams instead of through turbines. The federal government sought higher reservoir levels.
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Simon ordered that reservoirs remain at the same level as last year and wrote the changes in his order were “narrowly tailored” and essentially maintained the status quo.
“The Federal Defendants have, for years, maintained a safe and reliable power system and dam operations with the nearly the same spill levels as ordered here, and with the same reservoir levels from 2025,” he wrote.
Amanda Goodin, an attorney with the environmental law firm Earthjustice, said she was “incredibly relieved and happy that he ordered the levels of spill that he did.”
“If the government had been allowed to implement their proposal it would have had really, really devastating consequences for salmon,” Goodin said.
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The Justice Department and National Marine Fisheries Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment after business hours Wednesday. The Bonneville Power Administration, which markets the electricity from the dams, referred an inquiry to the Justice Department.
In court filings, the federal government called the request a “sweeping scheme to wrest control” of the dams that would compromise the ability to operate them safely and efficiently for power generation, navigation and irrigation. Any such court order could also raise rates for utility customers, the government said.
Dams altered life in massive area
The Columbia River Basin, spanning an area roughly the size of Texas, was once the world’s greatest salmon-producing river system, with at least 16 stocks of salmon and steelhead. Today, four are extinct and seven are endangered or threatened. Another iconic but endangered Northwestern species, a population of killer whales, also depend on the salmon.
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The construction of the first dams on the Columbia River, including the Grand Coulee and Bonneville in the 1930s, provided jobs during the Great Depression as well as hydropower and navigation. They made Lewiston, Idaho, the most inland seaport on the West Coast, and many farmers continue to rely on barges to ship their crops.
But the dams hurt salmon in a number of ways, including by forcing them through turbines, warming the slow-moving water in reservoirs to inhospitable temperatures, and greatly slowing the migration of juvenile fish to the sea. Juvenile salmon once reached the ocean from the upper Snake River in two or three days as swift currents pushed them along. Now, the journey past eight dams can take weeks, during which time they are exposed to more predators.
The plaintiffs, which include the state of Oregon and a coalition of conservation and fishing groups such as the National Wildlife Federation, filed the motion for a preliminary injunction, with Washington state, the Nez Perce Tribe and Yakama Nation supporting it as “friends of the court.”
Opponents of the injunction include the Inland Ports and Navigation Group, which says increasing spill to benefit fish can hinder navigation, disrupting the flow of commerce and hurt the economy.
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“The order increases the risk of harm to infrastructure, listed species, and public safety while failing to demonstrate that there will be benefits to listed salmon and steelhead,” the organization said in a written statement.
However, the dams are also a main culprit behind the decline of salmon, which regional tribes consider part of their cultural and spiritual identity.
The dams for which changes are being sought are the Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite on the Snake River, and the Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day and McNary on the Columbia.
Clare Bates is coming back to Walford, but this is no triumphant homecoming (Picture:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
After almost 18 years away from EastEnders, Clare returns to find her stepdad Nigel battling advanced dementia, and she’s left absolutely shattered by what she sees. But alongside the heartbreak is something else: a lingering feeling that she’s been brought back too late.
Clare arrives after just hearing about Nigel’s condition for the first time. The man she once adored barely recognises her, and the opportunity she’s clearly been holding onto for years, to say sorry, to make things right, feels like it’s slipped through her fingers.
And in Clare’s mind, that timing doesn’t feel accidental.
As Gemma Bissix explains: ‘Clare has always wanted to come back and see him, and when she does find out he’s got dementia, I don’t think she realises how advanced it is. Clare feels like Julie has done it to get back at her; she feels like Julie has only called her at this late stage as a punishment. In Clare’s mind, it does feel quite cruel because I think Clare really wanted the chance to apologise to her dad.’
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Will Clare and Nigel be able to reignite their relationship after all these years? (Picture:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Clare and Nigel have been estranged for years, and that distance weighs heavily on her. The last time viewers saw her, she was causing chaos and leaving a trail of destruction behind her. But beneath the bravado, there’s always been something much sadder driving her behaviour.
‘The last time we saw her in the show, she was a bit of a maneater, and a bit more of a con artist, and those actions probably came from her inner trauma, and having no one to discipline her because her mum died when she was young, and when Nigel met Julie, I think Clare felt really pushed out. All Clare wants is the love of her dad, and she can see that she might not have that again, and she’s missed her opportunity, so it’s really heartbreaking for her.’
It’s that sense of missed opportunity that makes her return so painful to watch. Clare isn’t just facing Nigel’s illness; she’s confronting years of regret.
Of course, there’s tension with Julie. Old wounds don’t magically disappear. But with Nigel’s health deteriorating so rapidly, both women are forced to reassess what really matters. Any bitterness has to take a back seat.
There is, however, an unexpected source of comfort.
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Clare initially clashes with Lexi, dismissing her as an interfering kid. But that quickly changes. As Gemma reveals: ‘On first impression, she thinks Lexi is a bit of an interfering child, but later they bond, and Clare realises that they were the same age when they both lost their mum, and I think there’s a really poignant connection between them both. It’s a link that has happened organically which is the beauty with long-running shows like EastEnders.’
‘She’s able to find comfort in this young girl who reminds her of herself.’ (Picture:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Lexi makes her feel understood, and in a time and a place where she feels so alienated by Julie, and so detached from Nigel.’
‘It’s healing that Clare sees the love that Nigel had for Lexi, and when he mistakes Lexi for Clare, it gives her comfort as it reminds her how much Nigel did love Clare when they were young.’
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It’s a beautifully full-circle moment. In the middle of heartbreak, Clare finds connection and a reminder that she was loved, even if things fell apart later.
Behind the scenes, the return has clearly meant just as much to Gemma as it does to fans.
We last saw Clare on our screens in 2008 (Picture: BBC)
‘It was a long time coming, and I was just so chuffed because I haven’t seen Paul Bradley in over 20 years and so to be able to reconnect with him and work with him again felt like time had stood still. It was like no time had passed at all, and Paul is exactly the same lovely person he was before. Nigel’s dementia is portrayed as devastatingly real, something that resonates with so many families watching at home.’
The big question now is what happens next. With Nigel’s condition worsening, and emotions running high between Clare and Julie, difficult decisions lie ahead about his future care.
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But for Clare, the damage already feels done.
She’s back. She’s facing the past. But she may have arrived just a little too late.
The long-running Channel 4 property programme, which helps buyers find their perfect home, will be filming in the Newcastle area in 2026.
Fronted by presenters and property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer, the show has spent more than 20 years matching buyers with homes across the UK.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain free (or SSTC) house hunters in and around Newcastle, who would be ready to buy in April this year.
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“Applications are now open and we’re looking to spread the word to the community to encourage house hunters to apply and get the help they need.
“We are looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to buy their dream home in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.”
The show is seeking a wide range of applicants in the region, whether they are first-time buyers, upsizing, downsizing, or relocating.
Applications can be submitted through the Channel 4 website.
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Channel 4 is encouraging prospective buyers from all backgrounds to apply as part of its commitment to improving on-screen representation.
“As part of Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to achieving greater inclusivity on screen, we strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.”
To apply, fill out the application form at www.channel4.com/4viewers/takepart/location.
Applications will be received by a member of IWC Media and they will contact you directly if they wish to take it any further.
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Personal data will be processed in line with IWC Media’s privacy policy, which is available on request.
Park Road in Aberaman is set to be closed from March 3 to March 5
A road in the Cynon Valley is set to be closed for three days for drainage works.
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A public notice says that Park Road in Aberaman will be closed from its junction with Davis Street in a general southwesterly direction for a distance of approximately 24m. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
The closure is needed to allow drainage works to take place and will be in force from March 3 to March 5.
Alternative routes are available via Lewis Street, Beddoe Street, and Davis Street. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter
Access will be maintained for emergency services, pedestrians, and to premises.
To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol license applications and more in your area, visit the Public Notice Portal HERE
The reservoirs in Saddleworth Moor are particularly popular (Picture: Getty Images)
With its deep valleys, streams, and rocky hills, the rugged Saddleworth Moor is a beautiful part of the UK.
But it seems actually stepping foot in the area in the North West of England can feel rather different, given it’s grim history.
A social media post even went as far as to claim that being there feels akin to ‘entering the doors of hell’.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter) a user named @PippyBing said: ‘I really don’t think there is a more disquieting, haunting or frankly frightening location than Saddleworth Moor. It feels like entering the doors of hell. Even driving through it is a horrible experience. A dreadful energy about the place.’
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More than 472,000 people have viewed the post, with almost 2,000 liking it and dozens commenting to share their thoughts, and it seems the sentiment is shared by many.
The Trinnacle is a unique three pronged Gritstone Tor on Saddleworth Moor in the Peak National park, UK. (Picture: Getty Images)
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@Sidsmith438031 replied: ‘You drive over there from Manchester on a bright sunny summer’s morning and the temperature plummets, goes darker and actual fog engulfs you. I’m not a lover of it.’
And @PSchweizer478 commented: ‘I had a relative who used to drive alone through those parts. She would always gradually get the feeling someone was in the back seat but be too terrified to turn around until she was home. We always laughed about it but then I went there. Genuinely creepy vibe.’
@therealbigjonno described it as an ‘evil, hopeless place’, while others thought it was ‘bleak’, ‘eerie’ and ‘desolate’.
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But not everyone felt this way, especially those who live in the area who were able to separate it from its history. @opensout wrote: ‘I walk across it quite often. It’s beautiful.’ As @nopenothappy claimed it had a ‘Wuthering Heights vibe’.
A user known as @louiemack20 also didn’t see an issue, saying: ‘I lived there for years. It’s a stunning place. I lived in the edge of Dove Stone. Beautiful especially on a sunny day.’
‘I live in Saddleworth. It’s a beautiful place. All this mean, moody atmosphere stuff is a joke,’ added @theoldbloke.
The area is known for its links to the Moors Murders (Picture: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
What happened in Saddleworth Moor?
Located in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park, Saddleworth Moor is perhaps most commonly known for being the burial site of victims of the Moors Murders – a series of five child killings committed by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in and around Manchester between 1963 and 1965.
The killings are referred to as the Moors Murders because three of the children were buried there. A fourth, Keith Bennett, is also suspected to have been buried at Saddleworth Moor, but his remains have never been found, despite many searches.
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These aren’t the only tragedies to have taken place on the moorland, as it was also the site of a plane crash in August 1949, when a BEA Douglas DC3 crashed into a hill near Oldham, killing 24 passengers and crew members.
Most recently, in 2018 and 2019, a record number of wildfires broke out on the moors in scenes which were described as ‘apocalyptic’.
While there is a lot of negativity associated with the area, it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s plenty of natural wonder to be enjoyed at Saddleworth Moor thanks to its iconic landmarks and abundance of wildlife – especially, birdlife.
Visitors may be able to spot red grouse, merlin, pipits, short-eared owls, curlew, dunlin and golden plovers. The area is also home to frogs, toads, mountain hares and voles, and various plants.
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Those walking or hiking in the area can check out notable landmarks including the obelisk and Pots and Pans Stones above Uppermill and Greenfield. Local legend claims the stones are left behind from a battle between two giants, named Alphin and Alder who were fighting over the love of Rimmon, a water nymph.
The area is beautiful, but some can’t see past its grim history (Picture: Getty Images)
There’s also the Trinnacle, a remote rock formation near the town of Oldham, that stands at approximately 30ft high. (It’s not recommended to climb on the rocks).
And after your walk there are a number of picturesque villages in the surrounding area, such as Delph, Diggle and Uppermill, where you can swing by a cafe or pub for refreshments, or browse shops.
The UK’s rainforest ‘haunted by a ghost’
The UK is home to patches of temperate rainforests – rare habitats that are thought to be even more endangered than those found in the tropics.
They’re found on the Western coastlines in the UK – and one in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, was previously named in a list of Britain’s best ‘off the beaten track’ locations to visit.
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Wistman’s Wood, known as Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve, is important for its fragile mosses, lichens, heathland and grassland species.
The unusual tree trunks of Wistman’s Wood (Picture: Getty Images)
With oak trees growing in odd directions, alongside granite boulders and wildflowers, a walk through Wistman’s Wood can feel like stepping into an otherworldly fantasy land.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that visitors report spooky goings on after dark.
Some report seeing a ‘ghost dog’, or hearing eerie whispers as the wind blows.
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Legend has it that there’s an angry pack of bloodthirsty hellhounds who hunt across the moors at night, searching for lost souls and explorers who’ve lost their way. They’re even said to guard the gates to the Underworld.
It was the first time that the Real Madrid forward has scored in both legs of a knockout tie. His timing was excellent as was his strength of character with Trent Alexander-Arnold saying: “What happened last week has happened. I don’t want to say it’s in the past because I don’t want to downplay how big an issue it is and what actually happened. But our focus was getting through, that’s all that mattered to us. It was about winning the game, let our football do the talking.
“It was not so much he needed to score to send a message or show his mentality. We know what he’s like. He doesn’t need to prove anything because he has shown it time and time again how good he is. He steps up when we need him most.” He did indeed.
Real have players injured, and the likes of Jude Bellingham made their way to the dugout for the final whistle, but there is little for Manchester City to fear if they draw the 15-time winners on Friday.
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It means José Mourinho and Benfica are out which, given the disgraceful way they reacted after Gianluca Prestianni stood accused of racially abusing Vinícius in the aftermath of the goal in Lisbon, also felt appropriate.
Appallingly Mourinho had suggested that Vinícius, who has been a regular victim of racism, had somehow incited the crowd as he celebrated after scoring. So, he brought what allegedly happened upon himself, José?
Benfica then ludicrously declared there was a “defamation campaign” against their player who suggested he had not uttered anything racist, saying he had used an “anti-gay slur” and the whole, disgraceful episode continued.
It meant there was even more attention on this high-profile encounter and it did seem to affect a depleted Real until Vinícius’s goal.
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Benfica had chances but their exit means that Mourinho has lost his last 10 Champions League knockout ties – an unwanted record that is unmatched in the competition. But he got what he deserved.
The Reds cruised to automatic progression into the knockouts of this year’s tournament without a third-place finish in the league phase, clinching their position thanks to a commanding 6-0 win over Qarabag last time out.
History-maker: Virgil van Dijk set a record for assists by a centre-back in the UCL league phase
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Merseyside club lost just twice en route to the knockouts, meanwhile, falling away at Galatasaray on matchday two before being humbled at home by PSV Eindhoven.
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Regardless, their overwhelmingly positive record thus far ensured they became one of five English sides – along with Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and table-toppers Arsenal – to qualify for the last-16 without requiring a dreaded two-legged play-off, several of which have been contested over the past two weeks.
With the results of those ties now confirmed, Liverpool face a nervous wait before their next opponent is confirmed by Friday’s draw.
Who Liverpool will face in Champions League last 16
Having finished third in the league phase of this year’s competition, Liverpool were destined to face one of the teams who placed 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th.
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Namely, those teams were Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray.
Galatasaray knocked out the Italian giants Juventus in a thrilling tie. Despite winning 5-2 in the first leg in Istanbul, they were taken to extra time in Turin.
Juventus produced a stunning fightback, even after seeing Lloyd Kelly sent off early in the second half of normal time. But Osimhen and Burak Yilmaz settled a7-5 aggregate win in extra time.
Last week also brought an entertaining 3-3 draw between Belgian outfit Club Brugge and Atleti, but Diego Simeone’s side took full advantage of a home second leg, running out 4-1 victors.
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This week’s results mean that Liverpool will face either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16, with Tottenham – who finished fourth in the league phase – taking on the other team.
The Glasgow GP opened up about how she had hit ‘rock bottom’ when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Howard Lloyd and Eilidh Farquhar Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
23:13, 25 Feb 2026
BBC’s Morning Live doctor Punam Krishan has given an emotional update about what she has learned in the six months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Having been “shaken” by the life changing news at first, she bravely underwent treatment in January.
The Glasgow-born GP has since gone back to work following the treatment as she shared with her followers on social media she is on the mend. In a new update on what the diagnosis has taught her, Dr Krishan shared that finding out she had cancer made her feel like she was being “hit by a bus”.
Taking to Instagram, the 42-year-old is seen to be sitting in her car after her shift. In the caption of the video, she wrote: “Six months ago, I learned something I wish I’d known earlier. Control is mostly an illusion. Today is not.”
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Reflecting on her journey with cancer, she said: “I’ve just finished clinic for the day and I wanted to share something with you. I’m going to take you back to the moment I was told I had cancer, because I think that there is something in that moment that could be helpful to us all.
“And it’s something that I really wish I had known before that day. Something that maybe we can practise now so that we don’t have to wait for something awful to teach it to us.”
Opening up about the moment she received the diagnosis, Dr Krishan described it as the “worst day” of her life, reports the Mirror. She added: “Like literally rock bottom. It felt like being hit by a bus and I still fully can’t describe it. But in that second, every ounce of control I ever thought I had, it just disappeared.
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“All the plans ahead, the job titles, the roles I carried-the things that I thought mattered so much suddenly, everything felt completely irrelevant. It genuinely felt like my heart had stopped.
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“And in a moment like that, when everything feels frozen, the only thing that you’re actually left in control of is your next breath. That’s it. Just the next breath.”
The Strictly star, who describes herself as a “huge control freak”, shared that she struggled to grasp the idea that she doesn’t have complete control of her future. However, she realised that this doesn’t stop life from continuing to move along.
She said: “But then tomorrow came, and then there was another tomorrow. And although those days were so unbelievably hard, we got through them by focusing only on the next breath and the next step. Not the whole week, not the next six months or year-just the next thing.”
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Opening up about how she lives now, she said: “Six months on, hand on heart, I don’t live the same way that I used to. I don’t plan too far ahead anymore. I don’t try to micromanage everything because the real truth is that we don’t actually know what is round the corner for us.
“And yet, we live, we schedule, and we stress as if we do. All you really have here is today, and then the next thing that you can do within that. And strangely, that has been incredibly liberating for me. It didn’t come easily, but it’s become my philosophy now, my way of life.”
While daily routines such as work and showing up for your friends and family are things you can control, Dr Krishan urged her followers to loosen their grip on the bigger things.
She concluded: “I mean, take it from me. Don’t wait until something stops you in your tracks to realise that we don’t have as much control as we think we do.
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“So, with that in mind, just do today. Enjoy today. Rinse it for all that it is giving you, especially all the wee ordinary bits. And just let go of all the rest.”
York Minster is marking the 800th anniversary of the canonisation of St William of York with the launch of books exploring Christian healing and sainthood.
The first book, Breaking, not Broken: Ableism and the Church after Constantine, is by the Reverend Canon Tim Goode, Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nurture at York Minster.
Canon Goode said: “As a residentiary canon at York Minster, I feel a deep empathy with the medieval pilgrims who travelled to St William’s shrine in search of healing.”
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The second title, The St William Window at York Minster: Rediscovering a Miraculous Narrative, is co-authored by Professor Sarah Brown and Professor Christopher Norton of the University of York, and tells the story of one of the largest narratives in medieval stained glass ever created.
Professor Brown said: “The window tells the story of the life and miraculous events associated with St William of York.”
Book launches will take place at the cathedral on March 11 and March 18.
Both events start at 6.30pm.
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The books will be available for purchase at the events and through the York Minster Shop in-store and online.
Antrim are still locked in a relegation battle despite beating Carlow last weekend and face Dublin and Down in their final two games as they bid to secure their status in Division 1B
Neil McManus has pinpointed Antrim’s Division 1B ties with Dublin and Down as ‘some of the biggest games we’ve had’ in years.
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Former Saffrons star McManus isn’t expecting Davy Fitzgerald’s side to beat Dublin at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
But he is anticipating a big performance after finally getting off the mark in the group by beating Carlow last weekend.
Antrim are still locked in a relegation battle but if they can beat Down in the final round, having already overcome Carlow, that might be enough to avoid dropping to Division 2.
“I don’t think there’s anything more important at the minute for Antrim GAA than Antrim to stay up,” said McManus. “It’s a big task, obviously, given that we have Dublin at home and then Down away.
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“The Down game is especially massive and results could still be very unkind. You could end up with two wins in the League and still find yourself going down on score difference if other results were to go in an unfortunate way.
“All you can do is perform really well in Corrigan this weekend and try to bring that form on the road with you to Down in the last game.
“So there could be nothing more important than that. Staying in Division 1B is just a sacrosanct for Antrim’s senior hurling team because if we were to be relegated, in terms of trying to get players into the panel, driving the standards, well, it becomes a less attractive option immediately.
“So it’s huge that we stay in Division 1B, massive. These few games are some of the biggest games we’ve had for a long time.”
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McManus’ life story and Antrim career will be the subject of a Laochra Gael episode on TG4 this evening (9.30pm).
How Fitzgerald would like to have a player like the Cushendall man in his attack right now.
McManus, who retired after the 2023 season, recalled playing in a powerful attack that contained Conor McCann and Niall McKenna.
Now, he noted, they’re working off a smaller and lighter set of forwards, whom he reckons are more skilful and suited to the summer.
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“I don’t think we’ll see the best of this Antrim team until we get into the Joe McDonagh, when we’re on the drier sod,” he said.
“You think of the pace of the likes of Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliot, James McNaughton, Conal Cunning, Conor Johnston, they can destroy you with the sort of pace we didn’t have.
“So Davy has had to play a little bit differently; dropping deeper, trying to run the ball out and mistakes cost you dearly when you’re playing that way.”
Antrim felt they should have beaten Wexford in Round 1 while nobody expected them to beat Clare in Round 2.
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It was the heavy defeat to freshly promoted Kildare earlier this month that really frustrated supporters.
“I’ll say this, it doesn’t matter what tactics you play, whenever the level of intensity, aggression and work rate is where it was for that Antrim against Kildare game, we were just a mile off what was expected whenever you pull on an Antrim jersey,” said McManus.
“I’ve heard numerous players essentially state that. They were very clear that this was not going to reoccur in Corrigan Park against Carlow, and it didn’t.”
McManus was Antrim’s top scorer back in 2010 when they beat an Anthony Daly managed Dublin at Croke Park in the Championship.
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It’s a level McManus believes the Saffrons can aspire to again, even if Dublin did go on to win Leinster and National League titles, as well as qualify for an All-Ireland semi-final in 2025.
“We drew with Dublin in the Leinster championship three years ago,” noted McManus. “That’s not a long time ago. I don’t think Davy has that same level of depth available to him at the minute and I think Dublin have progressed as well in those three seasons.
“But as a county, to aspire to be at the level that Dublin are at, that is not an unrealistic aim in any way, shape or form.”
