This could possibly be a counter argument to the RTE thread but I feel it does need to be a title. Parky and Deegan are after making some excellent points made by in relation to modern day GAA coverage and the game itself. On the coverage aspect, RTE pundits like Spillane and O'Rourke do not properly analyse matches- they are full of rhetorical nonsense the whole time. The BBC actually view the matches and can on a lot of occasions call what is going to happen. Spillane and O'Rourke berated the Cavan and Fermanagh match- It was two division three sides at the end of the day. It was also a very tight match which cannot be said for what has been going on in Connaught and Munster. Deegan rightly said he is sick to the teeth of Spillane as he is an old record. This is the modern game, get used to it. The RTE pundits almost seem to make up the minds of most lay supporters as one can hear them echoing what the boys say. If all these matches are so bad, then maybe it is because there are so many live matches on TV now compared to the 70s and 80s ie we did not see Kerry and their first round matches in the 80s. Parkinson is spot on when he said- "we only have to look at all-Ireland gold on TG4 to see the muck of the older matches". At least the BBC and Newstalk speak about the football, not all the other bull. I actually turn on radio now at half time and full time so I might understand what is going on.

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 17/06/2013 20:50:56    1409387

Here here. Couldn't agree more

sam57 (Louth) - Posts: 1502 - 17/06/2013 20:59:48    1409403

agree Spillane is a broken record at this stage.Writes same crap in Sunday World every week giving out about blanket defences.

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 17/06/2013 21:11:39    1409416

True.

yesterday Spillane said the provincials should be left as they are , after o rourke called for a change.and his reason?.because results have always been this way.
Then with a straight face and beaming went on to tell us that Kerry in the 70s and early 80s only had to train to peak for 2 games.the munster final and if they drew ulster or connaught in semis because they were poor , only had to peak for the final.
This is the same man who harps on about the golden age of yesteryear

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 17/06/2013 21:12:30    1409418

I agree completely, dinosaurs in RTE.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 17/06/2013 21:27:44    1409442

On BBC we has Oisin McConville and Paddy Bradley looking at the game and discussing where Fermanagh were going wrong. Add the pitch side analysis of Jarleth Burns and Commentary box views from Martin McHugh. The analysis was detailed and almost all of those men were in agreement of what changes were needed from Fermanagh.

I flicked over to RTE 2 briefly, only to find Pat Spillane mutter the usual crap about how difficult it was to watch and reference the Antrim v Monaghan game in previous week as another gore fest.

I don't doubt Pat Spillane or Colm O'Rourkes footballing knowledge, but I do think they need a kick up the arse with regards how they approach these games, and how they analyse them.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3032 - 17/06/2013 21:30:12    1409447

I literally could not agree more with my fellow Donegal man. Totally correct about RTE. Coverage and analysts that you mentioned are not good enough. Those Newstalk guys are good though. Clever and relevant.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 17/06/2013 21:30:17    1409449

Throw Brolly in as well another "entertainer" in fact the game is no so sterile, thank god for the likes of Spillane, O'Rourke and Brolly trying to desparetely lighten up the proceedings with comical takes on what we've just watched. Looking at some of the dire mismatches so far and on TV is like watching paint dry, these sort of games shouldn't be on TV a two minute summary would suffice. The best thing for the blanket is to suffocate the game with it - very positive term.

The thing is a TV audience never got to see this tripe in the Spillane "glory years" the games where there all right, just no one would have the brass neck to put them on TV and then try to "Analyse" them.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4958 - 17/06/2013 21:34:44    1409454

Agreed, newstalk is a breath of fresh air.

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 17/06/2013 21:34:45    1409455

I don't bother with RTE analysis much. At times they do give good analysis but most is drivel. RTE seem convinced it's the way to analyse games.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9150 - 17/06/2013 21:38:48    1409459

Joe Brolley while sometimes Insulting, Is actually quite accurate with most of his comments. He seems to have a better grasp of the modern game than Spillane or O'Rourke.

Kevin McStay and Ciaran Whelan are also very detailed and unbiased in their analysis.
Anthony Tohill was pretty good a few seasons back, very direct way about him.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3032 - 17/06/2013 21:48:14    1409474

To be perfectly honest who really cares about analysis of sporting events anyway? I don't come in till a game is about to start, I go for a sandwich/pint (depending on location) at half time and after the game the tele goes off, what crucial role do analysts (or however it's spelled) actually play bar of course being controversial and entertaining people?

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 17/06/2013 21:48:59    1409479

I agree too. The negativity on the Sunday Game is horrendous. You just don't see it in other sports. Granted that the current Cavan and Fermanagh sides will not be winning an All Ireland but there is a way to present and promote our games and the Sunday Game is failing miserably! We will never have a situation where all 32 counties exercise the skills of the games to the taste of the 'purists'. Its time to build the bridge and enjoy games that can be fascinating in their own right!

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 17/06/2013 21:56:02    1409492

ciaran whelan you know has done a bit of research during the day and is interested in what his job is, ricey last night was something different, rte need explayers on analysing the game ,that have been involved in it over the last 10 to 15 years.
Spillane to me shows total lack of respect to weaker counties.
I genuinely think he has to go.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 17/06/2013 21:58:30    1409497

Not only do I totally agree with the comments but there is an additional key point that needs to be addressed - and someone in the GAA PRO needs to get on the wire to RTE about it.

Spillane and O'Rourke are among the most important spokespeople on how Gaelic Football is perceived - and they are almost uniformly negative in everything they say.

Compare that to the coverage that is given to Rugby on RTE - I remember an Ireland game that was 3-3 at half time - no excitement, no scores to report and just boring tripe. What was the focus of the analysis at half time, it was almost totally focused on the positive rucking, good throw ins, great defensive tackles, etc.. It was a shocking game but the analysis was still positive. I am not knocking the Rugby guys for that because they are there to promote their game (and are doing a fantastic job at it).

I am biased -I think Gaelic football is the second best game to watch in the world (behind Hurling, which is crazy but crazy good). Spillane especially continues to do the GAA a great disservice with his "everything was better when Kerry was hammering everyone" BS.

Spillane should be replaced - why do we want someone constantly knocking our sport and being given such a platform to do it (GAA - wake up). O'Rourke either cheers up or should be replaced. On the flip side, I think Brolly is fantastic and points out things that are happening during the game in hand (not one that was played 20 years or more ago). I know he is a big cheer leader of Donegal but until he is proven wrong, I suppose he is right. But whether you like him or not, he is entertaining - and pays attention to the actual game being played.

MickyMick (Donegal) - Posts: 11 - 17/06/2013 21:58:30    1409498

Agreed. You could have a woeful game of soccer on Sky, yet Redknapp and co will be bigging at least some parts of the game up and suggesting ways that poorly performing teams can improve....

Just another point and maybe this is just me. For sure Spillane and the likes were great players in the past. But do any of you actually enjoy the football shown on TG4 gold? My opinion would be that if Spillane's Kerry played a modern day team using the tactics of old they'd be beaten comfortably.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9977 - 18/06/2013 08:53:21    1409510

brolly and spillane are passed there sell by date

kerryluck (Kerry) - Posts: 2517 - 18/06/2013 09:12:15    1409521

I think as a game someone needs to put the FOOT back in football. A lot of the frustration in watching the games at present is the lack of football in football. This was the main point made by Spillane and O'Rourke on the game at the weekend. They can be negative but surely the game needs to progress in the direction it was named.....FOOTBALL.

3feetoftimber (Meath) - Posts: 113 - 18/06/2013 09:24:13    1409527

@3feetoftimber, was it not Spillane's team that specialised in hand passing so much that the rules were changed to help break their domination in the 80's

Farney (Monaghan) - Posts: 819 - 18/06/2013 09:56:00    1409560

I wouldn't agree with what has been said here. Brolly is spot on with his analysis. I don't think there is any analysist out there that can match him. Fair enough, Spillane is living in the past but he's good entertainment. O' Roueke the same. Ciarán Whelan knows what he is talking about and O Hara is fitting right in. McStay is good. Anyone with a problem with RTÉ should just switch off. As regards Newstalk, I think they have a very enjoyable chat show in the evening and I enjoy, in particular, listening to Deegan and Parkinson but for flip sake I would rate their live coverage. They try to hype it up and do a Sky Sports on it which is cringe worthy. Also, the actual commentry itself is average at best.

When I it down to watch the game I want to be excited. I want to be shouting at the television. I want to be jumping off the coach. I don't want that buzz to just end then for 15 minutes. Whether you agree with RTÉ's lot or not they add to your Sunday and the game. That's my opinion anyway - and they seem to have great viewing figures.

Be carefull what you wish for!!

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 18/06/2013 09:57:29    1409562