National Forum

Best / Worst TV/Radio Commentators?

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Rockies:  "Nobody can ever surpass Michael O' Hehir. He generated excitement in an Ireland without TV, where people were glued to the radio! Who could forget commentary like this " long ball in toward Christy Ring, he's got it! It's a goalllll!!!!!"
I see him as a man of his time. I'm sure his reputation is well earned but I find his voice and style of speaking very grating listening now.

Not half as bad though as the mandatory BBC voice of the time. I was watching a review of the 1990 world cup and one of those posh auld English presenters "hard luck Mick" as the final whistle goes against Italy and I seem to remember something about the luck of the Paddy or something like tha and that's the bloody 90s

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 28/10/2020 14:11:27    2302493

Link

Replying To Breezy:  "I see him as a man of his time. I'm sure his reputation is well earned but I find his voice and style of speaking very grating listening now.

Not half as bad though as the mandatory BBC voice of the time. I was watching a review of the 1990 world cup and one of those posh auld English presenters "hard luck Mick" as the final whistle goes against Italy and I seem to remember something about the luck of the Paddy or something like tha and that's the bloody 90s"
Brendan Hennessy kilkenny/carlow radio diabolical

1919 (Carlow) - Posts: 33 - 28/10/2020 14:19:55    2302495

Link

Replying To Breezy:  "I see him as a man of his time. I'm sure his reputation is well earned but I find his voice and style of speaking very grating listening now.

Not half as bad though as the mandatory BBC voice of the time. I was watching a review of the 1990 world cup and one of those posh auld English presenters "hard luck Mick" as the final whistle goes against Italy and I seem to remember something about the luck of the Paddy or something like tha and that's the bloody 90s"
He was of a time like any commentator but he was excellent and brought the game to life in a time where there were few with a television.
They may not all be as obvious but I have to say there are some English commentators who are downright unprofessional in their inability to disguise their bias towards either a national team or an individual who represents the country. Whether it be Rugby, Soccer or any number of sports I have heard them cover.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 1647 - 28/10/2020 16:59:23    2302568

Link

Replying To catch22:  "He was of a time like any commentator but he was excellent and brought the game to life in a time where there were few with a television.
They may not all be as obvious but I have to say there are some English commentators who are downright unprofessional in their inability to disguise their bias towards either a national team or an individual who represents the country. Whether it be Rugby, Soccer or any number of sports I have heard them cover."
What really gets me about English commentators is how they will make a concerted effort to emphasise the correct pronunciation of a French, Spanish, Italian player etc.
But when there's a Doherty or a Keogh playing, forget about it.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4135 - 28/10/2020 17:16:08    2302574

Link

Replying To catch22:  "He was of a time like any commentator but he was excellent and brought the game to life in a time where there were few with a television.
They may not all be as obvious but I have to say there are some English commentators who are downright unprofessional in their inability to disguise their bias towards either a national team or an individual who represents the country. Whether it be Rugby, Soccer or any number of sports I have heard them cover."
Yeah. There's a few that do it. Like a non-English player cleans out an English player with a great tackle and no mention of him winning the ball but 'What a robust tackle from the wily German'. And if it's an English defender clearing his lines winning the ball from a foreign player it's 'fantastic defending from the future England fullback'. Don't know if they still do it but for England v Germany games bookies used to give odds on how many seconds into the game before the English commentator mentions the 66 World Cup Final. It's funny more than malicious anyways. Sure in general conversation most of aren't too complimentary about the English either. The Wembley game next month should be interesting for partisan comments, particularly if Grealish and Rice start and possibly Bamford too!

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 5955 - 28/10/2020 18:22:20    2302594

Link

I had to smile at a comment from a commentator last week, mixing up his units.

He described a player's position as being between the 45 (metres) and the 21 (yards).

I knew what he meant, though.

lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 369 - 28/10/2020 18:59:38    2302601

Link

Best Michael O'Hehir, worst Marty Morissey and Martin Carney.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 1076 - 28/10/2020 20:10:07    2302633

Link

I only know Michael O'Hehir off all Ireland goal there no doubting his class, but it's not the same watching or listening live. Micheàl o muircheartaigh is my favourite GAA commentator, I must say I remember listening to Kerry radio for a Cork vs Kerry Munster final it was some laugh listening to the commentators.

I like George Hamilton for soccer and I remember Fred Cogley watching rugby as a young lad I always found him very good.

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 718 - 28/10/2020 21:52:15    2302668

Link

For me On TV Micheal Ó Hehir was the man and I still remember some of his great commentaries. On radio it has to be Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh. I often remember coming back from games in a car listening to Ó Muircheartaigh on radio commentating on other games. We could be suck in traffic smiling with people in the other cars listening too. I remember his radio commentary in particular of Ciarán Carey s brilliant point v Clare in 96.Also his habit of calling players by first names like Jack and Larry and Barney. Also Ó Hehir with comments like Galway hurlers lining up to stop a penalty. "And he s facing the stone walls of the claddagh". Great days.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 630 - 29/10/2020 11:32:25    2302772

Link

Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Best Michael O'Hehir, worst Marty Morissey and Martin Carney."
Martin Carney gives me they heebie jeepies

sourmilk93 (Roscommon) - Posts: 565 - 29/10/2020 12:07:06    2302785

Link

Ó Muircheartaigh had an amazing talent for getting his vast knowledge on players out in the 5 seconds he had between foul and free or score and puckout

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 29/10/2020 12:12:15    2302791

Link

Replying To 1919:  "Brendan Hennessy kilkenny/carlow radio diabolical"
Its true what they say a man is never thought much from those in is own town.

dubarra (Wicklow) - Posts: 444 - 30/10/2020 03:38:07    2302996

Link