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Replying To yew_tree:  "Dara Ó Cinnéide Would have been an ideal replacement for Michael Lyster. He was excellent presenting Seo Spoirt on TG4 a few years back.

Anyway is the Sunday game worth listening too anymore..? It's a scripted apparently....load of rubbish."
I'd rarely actually watch the analysis on TSG live. I tend to just switch it on just before throw in and off again after full time. It'd obviously be on at HT but I wouldn't be avidly listening.

Again I'd rarely watch the night time show either, maybe record it and fast forward through the waffle and the inevitable reshowing of the game(s) from earlier or else catch the highlights on TG4 on Monday night.

I always find RTÉ's highlights to be quite badly put together. 3/4 replays of nothing/simple scores, misses, tackles as well as loads of reaction shots of the crowd or managers and key passages of play cut short or just bizarrely not included. The scoreline at the top of the screen jumping from a draw match to one team 4/5 points up!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13145 - 11/06/2020 13:23:37    2280425

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Replying To beano:  "Anyone else find the current Sunday Game format TOO inclusive of the ladies game? I know they need to find some content, but in the last episode they went from showing highlights of the good Kerry-Monaghan game when Clifford got the amazing late goal to the Dublin ladies winning an AI by twelve points. How is that a classic?

With all the will in the world, I have never heard anyone recall classic ladies football or camogie matches down the pub, and the average woman wouldn't follow the sport enough just to tune in for the female sport content. This 20-20-20 campaign is pushing female sport down our throats when the reality is that both in terms of quality and popularity the difference between that and men's is chalk and cheese.

And then during a normal season, they always have to have the token female pundit and I've yet to see one of them to offer anything unique other than the usual 'sure lookit....'. Besides, it would be like having a rugby league player in as a pundit for the Six Nations.

But back on topic, I agree that the Sky pundits are more modern in their analysis. Its very noticable watching the hurling pundits on RTE that they are, on the whole, very old school in their opinions, and if anyone like Derek McGrath comes on preaching how effective something like the sweeper system can be, they are quickly ganged up on. God forbid any tactical innovations making their way into the ancient game. Teams should only be hitting the ball long shure and be as 'manly'as possible."
Some good points there beano and good to see some comments about hurling on this thread. I agree about the Sky pundits but I'd disagree that the RTE pundits are mostly old school. Derek McGrath comes across as a sincere guy and I haven't seen any great amount of ganging up on him. However, he didn't do himself any favours the night himself and Cusack went on a rant about "old school" thinking instead of analysing the game they were supposed to deal with. Of course Des Cahill didn't help by giving them far too much leeway and the more Cusack, in particular, went on the more he alienated both himself and McGrath. Yes, we could do with some new faces but I'd much prefer the hurling analysts to their football counterparts, some of whom have been there far too long.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 221 - 11/06/2020 13:45:52    2280426

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Replying To MesAmis:  "I'd rarely actually watch the analysis on TSG live. I tend to just switch it on just before throw in and off again after full time. It'd obviously be on at HT but I wouldn't be avidly listening.

Again I'd rarely watch the night time show either, maybe record it and fast forward through the waffle and the inevitable reshowing of the game(s) from earlier or else catch the highlights on TG4 on Monday night.

I always find RTÉ's highlights to be quite badly put together. 3/4 replays of nothing/simple scores, misses, tackles as well as loads of reaction shots of the crowd or managers and key passages of play cut short or just bizarrely not included. The scoreline at the top of the screen jumping from a draw match to one team 4/5 points up!"
True. I know the producers are under pressure with what highlights to include with regard to time but you'd wonder do they "get" GAA?

One instance I can remember specifically is the 2014 Ulster final when Donegal played Monaghan. Murphy landed a free from an absolutely unholy area of the pitch. Now I know nostalgia can tint the glasses, but from memory it was a lot closer to the half way line than the 45. I remember watching the Sunday Game that night looking forward to seeing how far out it actually was. But they didn't show it, or even make reference to it. It was a score from a ridiculously absurd distance and not a peep about it.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 11/06/2020 14:02:37    2280430

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Replying To midlands:  "Some good points there beano and good to see some comments about hurling on this thread. I agree about the Sky pundits but I'd disagree that the RTE pundits are mostly old school. Derek McGrath comes across as a sincere guy and I haven't seen any great amount of ganging up on him. However, he didn't do himself any favours the night himself and Cusack went on a rant about "old school" thinking instead of analysing the game they were supposed to deal with. Of course Des Cahill didn't help by giving them far too much leeway and the more Cusack, in particular, went on the more he alienated both himself and McGrath. Yes, we could do with some new faces but I'd much prefer the hurling analysts to their football counterparts, some of whom have been there far too long."
I like McGrath too he just seems to want to have an honest chat about a game rather than being a personality or getting controversial. I begrudgingly like Donal og too not so much for his match analysis which is fine but hes honest on his views of the game overall like his views on the league or his little piece about Offaly last year

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 11/06/2020 15:05:01    2280435

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "True. I know the producers are under pressure with what highlights to include with regard to time but you'd wonder do they "get" GAA?

One instance I can remember specifically is the 2014 Ulster final when Donegal played Monaghan. Murphy landed a free from an absolutely unholy area of the pitch. Now I know nostalgia can tint the glasses, but from memory it was a lot closer to the half way line than the 45. I remember watching the Sunday Game that night looking forward to seeing how far out it actually was. But they didn't show it, or even make reference to it. It was a score from a ridiculously absurd distance and not a peep about it."
Yeah it is always more obvious when you were at the match in question. You remember a great score and then it doesn't get shown, or a great save, tackle, catch etc.

They need to cut the fat more, as in less crowd shots, less replays of mundane scores/misses etc, less time interviewing players/managers/less waffle from pundits/less waffle in the into to the show.

If they trimmed all that fat they'd have plenty time to give a decent highlights package and still have time for some analysis etc. Obviously for weekends that had a lot of games, both football and hurling, that is far more challenging but a simple step of not devoting the majority of the time to the game(s) already shown would be a massive help there!

The show the night of the All-Ireland final is always a good example of how bad the highlights can be. They only have 2 games to show, the senior and the minor but still you get really badly edited highlights that miss so much! Then they end up spending more time discussing their Team of the Year than showing the highlights of the biggest game of the year! There's not even a need to have a The Sunday Game Team of Year as no one remembers it because we already have the All-Stars!

Also I've long thought that RTÉ should have a show Monday/Tuesday reviewing the weekend's action with decent analysis and then a show Thursday/Friday to preview the upcoming action. It would cost very little to do and would help them improve the Sunday night show immeasurably.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13145 - 11/06/2020 17:32:21    2280444

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Yeah it is always more obvious when you were at the match in question. You remember a great score and then it doesn't get shown, or a great save, tackle, catch etc.

They need to cut the fat more, as in less crowd shots, less replays of mundane scores/misses etc, less time interviewing players/managers/less waffle from pundits/less waffle in the into to the show.

If they trimmed all that fat they'd have plenty time to give a decent highlights package and still have time for some analysis etc. Obviously for weekends that had a lot of games, both football and hurling, that is far more challenging but a simple step of not devoting the majority of the time to the game(s) already shown would be a massive help there!

The show the night of the All-Ireland final is always a good example of how bad the highlights can be. They only have 2 games to show, the senior and the minor but still you get really badly edited highlights that miss so much! Then they end up spending more time discussing their Team of the Year than showing the highlights of the biggest game of the year! There's not even a need to have a The Sunday Game Team of Year as no one remembers it because we already have the All-Stars!

Also I've long thought that RTÉ should have a show Monday/Tuesday reviewing the weekend's action with decent analysis and then a show Thursday/Friday to preview the upcoming action. It would cost very little to do and would help them improve the Sunday night show immeasurably."
They have the Sunday game to do that so no need for a programme on a Monday night.
It most likely is a rights issue that they show more of the game already shown live then another game.

There very much is a need for a Sunday game team of the year. Sky sports do team of the season even though there is multiple other teams of season.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 1636 - 11/06/2020 22:19:38    2280461

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In terms of podcasts Cheddar Plunkett is always an enjoyable listen.

wexico15 (Wexford) - Posts: 2602 - 11/06/2020 23:24:55    2280465

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I have to say I enjoy our own Eamon McGee's columns as well. Eamon has a unique take on life and is refreshingly frank and honest.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 12/06/2020 09:20:14    2280473

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eamonn magee writes a brilliant column in the star on saturday . well worth reading . tomas o se on the other hand always has the kerry poor mouth attitude

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1243 - 12/06/2020 10:37:10    2280484

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Replying To KillingFields:  "They have the Sunday game to do that so no need for a programme on a Monday night.
It most likely is a rights issue that they show more of the game already shown live then another game.

There very much is a need for a Sunday game team of the year. Sky sports do team of the season even though there is multiple other teams of season."
Probably takes alot less production and editing work to produce the clips for the live game too as most of the work would be done for you already and I'm multiple camera angles and commentary

As all the games are filmed it would be nice if they could release the full unedited videos of each match online on the Monday or something. Maybe they already do and I just don't know about it

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 12/06/2020 11:17:32    2280493

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Replying To Breezy:  "Probably takes alot less production and editing work to produce the clips for the live game too as most of the work would be done for you already and I'm multiple camera angles and commentary

As all the games are filmed it would be nice if they could release the full unedited videos of each match online on the Monday or something. Maybe they already do and I just don't know about it"
I'm pretty sure they don't and I'm not sure why. Anyone with a mind to watch them will be interested enough to already know the result - i.e. nobody is going to say "Oh, I'm not going to bother going to the game, I'll catch it online tomorrow".

It wouldn't affect attendances and would bring in advertising revenue. Given that angle, it's quite surprising the GAA hasn't done it.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4135 - 12/06/2020 12:15:27    2280497

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Some of the newer younger/newer journalists (players columns) can be very insightful. Eamon McGee for example. A lot of the established names love the generalisations and "soft talk".

The poor ones talk about a countys great record against this county, the fans will be up for it, they were hungrier etc all this BS. where as you find the better journalists focus on the specifics that may influence the game.

But as a sporting public we are very easily upset. God forbid someone tips against our county........ or calls out an act of thugery......then all of a sudden it is the Dublin Medja!

Brolly has made a career out of annoying people. I'd say he doesn't believe half of what he says and has a great laugh at us fools getting our knickers in a twist over his comments. He knows the worst thing for him would be no reaction when he walks into a pitch. That would mean know one was listening to him! Not a fan of his articles but I can appreciate exactly what he is doing and the skill with which he does it.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1292 - 12/06/2020 12:41:05    2280501

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Replying To cavanman47:  "I'm pretty sure they don't and I'm not sure why. Anyone with a mind to watch them will be interested enough to already know the result - i.e. nobody is going to say "Oh, I'm not going to bother going to the game, I'll catch it online tomorrow".

It wouldn't affect attendances and would bring in advertising revenue. Given that angle, it's quite surprising the GAA hasn't done it."
I could only follow the league on the radio so it would have been nice to see the Limerick games even if I knew the scores

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 12/06/2020 12:46:34    2280503

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Replying To Breezy:  "Probably takes alot less production and editing work to produce the clips for the live game too as most of the work would be done for you already and I'm multiple camera angles and commentary

As all the games are filmed it would be nice if they could release the full unedited videos of each match online on the Monday or something. Maybe they already do and I just don't know about it"
But they're not going to do that most likely as it's a rights issue
There iant really enough interest to release full clips of games especially unedited

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 1636 - 12/06/2020 13:52:25    2280508

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The Sunday Game died a death when Michael Lyster and Brolly left, it really is awful now; scripted, robotic, statistical nonsense. Ciaran Whelan may as well put a Dublin top on and wave a blue flag when he appears. Dara O'Cinneide is good and Canavan can be but he can also be a bit jittery and nervous at times. I can't understand why O'Cinneide didn't get the Sunday Game job. He's knowledgeable, confident and can put his Kerry loyalty to the side when he has to.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9294 - 13/06/2020 02:15:28    2280573

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In print journalism, I always get the Gaelic Life weekly and enjoy Brolly's column in particular. Also D O'Sé I Times is a must-read.

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 796 - 13/06/2020 02:45:49    2280574

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "The Sunday Game died a death when Michael Lyster and Brolly left, it really is awful now; scripted, robotic, statistical nonsense. Ciaran Whelan may as well put a Dublin top on and wave a blue flag when he appears. Dara O'Cinneide is good and Canavan can be but he can also be a bit jittery and nervous at times. I can't understand why O'Cinneide didn't get the Sunday Game job. He's knowledgeable, confident and can put his Kerry loyalty to the side when he has to."
Half of it died you mean. I think the hurling lads do a decent job certainly no worse that the pundits I see in any other sport

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 13/06/2020 13:44:26    2280636

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "The Sunday Game died a death when Michael Lyster and Brolly left, it really is awful now; scripted, robotic, statistical nonsense. Ciaran Whelan may as well put a Dublin top on and wave a blue flag when he appears. Dara O'Cinneide is good and Canavan can be but he can also be a bit jittery and nervous at times. I can't understand why O'Cinneide didn't get the Sunday Game job. He's knowledgeable, confident and can put his Kerry loyalty to the side when he has to."
Well in defence of Whelan, a team that has gone 5 seasons unbeaten in championship probably will get more kudos than criticism, might look biased when it comes from one of our own.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 205 - 13/06/2020 18:19:22    2280683

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "The Sunday Game died a death when Michael Lyster and Brolly left, it really is awful now; scripted, robotic, statistical nonsense. Ciaran Whelan may as well put a Dublin top on and wave a blue flag when he appears. Dara O'Cinneide is good and Canavan can be but he can also be a bit jittery and nervous at times. I can't understand why O'Cinneide didn't get the Sunday Game job. He's knowledgeable, confident and can put his Kerry loyalty to the side when he has to."
Another view is new some life has been brought into Sunday game after that Brolly routine was finally binned. What Brolly was doing on the Sunday Game was basically a tiresome RTÉ created gimmick, they had the same with Dunphy for the soccer and Hook for the rugby.

Saying all that it was still in Joe's hands to keep it going a while longer but his ego couldn't stop him stepping over the line.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 2761 - 14/06/2020 20:45:17    2280828

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "The Sunday Game died a death when Michael Lyster and Brolly left, it really is awful now; scripted, robotic, statistical nonsense. Ciaran Whelan may as well put a Dublin top on and wave a blue flag when he appears. Dara O'Cinneide is good and Canavan can be but he can also be a bit jittery and nervous at times. I can't understand why O'Cinneide didn't get the Sunday Game job. He's knowledgeable, confident and can put his Kerry loyalty to the side when he has to."
dead right its god awful

lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1357 - 14/06/2020 21:05:10    2280834

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