Jerry Flannery v RTE

[DJLethal173]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...d-3175447.html

Dont know who agrees or disagrees but I think Fla is damn right in slating RTE's coverage. Its descended into the realm of farce now...

TmcG and Hook have to go. It isnt funny anymore. Keep BP and Co'S

But the crowd they wheel out for the Rabo games is an insult to my wallet when I paid for a TV licence. O'Brian and Cantwell have to be the worst presenters of any programme in Irish TV history. Horgan cant take his blue jersey off, Frankie has a habit of being just as bad. Even Lenihan is prone to very lopsided analysis.

Tis a joke I tell ya!

[Brendy88]

Yeah agree completely, RTE's main intention is having a bit of humour and controversy rather than proper rugby analysis.

Sky's coverage is in a different leage, with huge attention given to the technical side of the game rather than some oaf ranting and raving about how poor a state our game is in.

To be fair, Conor O shea and Popey know their stuff and give good insight but TmcG and Georgey Porgey are clowns

[hellovating]

some people like mcgurk and hook, which is astonishing.

[DJLethal173]

McGuirk and Hook I feel were somewhat entertaining for a while but now its just a shouting match between GH and Pope...O'Shea trying to contribute but being isolated and McGuirk off in his own little world until he asks a random question with no intention of hearing the answer

[bobbin]

I think Dara O'Brian is a good (albeit Leinster focused) presenter, was excellent on Setanta previously. Very knowledgable on rugby and Horse Racing, much underutilised IMHO.

[DJLethal173]

I think Dara O'Brian is a good (albeit Leinster focused) presenter, was excellent on Setanta previously. Very knowledgable on rugby and Horse Racing, much underutilised IMHO.

O'Brian is from Cork. As much as I dislike the Leinster era over the last few years, I still think O'Brian rides them whenver they get beaten. After Ospreys beat them in the Rabo Final last year he was like a child on X-Mas morning. And after that incident with the bookies that resulted in some poor young girl getting sacked - http://www.sundayworld.com/columnist...x.php?aid=7922

And that Airplane pilot is so condescending about Munster even RTE got rid of him!

[Lenihan]

In general, I enjoy RTE's coverage. I think Pope and, to a slightly lesser extent, O'Shea make a lot of sense. As for Hook, I take him for what he's there to do which is to put up an opposing argument regardless.

One I'm developing a dislike for is Donal Lenihan. I find he always seems to say 'of course that's what happened because...' after the fact. Any clown can find a some way logical reason for something happening. There was one particular instance where it was suggested prior to half time that O'Connell should come off the bench to sure up the lineout. Donal says 'absolutely, O'Connell will certainly be brought on at half time...'. Half time came and went with no sign of O'Connell. The lead commentator asks 'are you surprised O'Connell has not been brought on yet?', Donal replies 'no, I'm not surprised at all' and started manufacturing reasons as to why he wasn't brought on yet. That's pure s*** imho. If he'd said 'well I am surprised but I suppose it's understandable because...' I'd have no problem with it. Ever since that, I've noticed he carries on like that fairly often

Other than that, I hope to christ they steer clear of skits in future. I felt embarrassed when I was watching that one with Hook and Pope making breakfast

[Huwie]

I never watch anything on RTE.
Its not just the rugby stuff thats crap.
It's incredible that RTE are able to waste as much money and still be crap.

[Old Dog]

I never watch anything on RTE.
Its not just the rugby stuff thats crap.
It's incredible that RTE are able to waste as much money and still be crap.

So then, how do you know that they're crap, if you NEVER watch them?

Masculine intuition?

[DONC]

In general go with Huwie RTE is a serious waste of money and would not be missed by the vast majority of viewers if they were to shut tomorrow.

If that is true about Daire O'Brien then he should be ashamed of himself. Unlike the poor gulible girl dont suppose it is grounds for dismissal but they seem like a wonderful family altogether.

Interesting that Fla should promote the idea of dividing the AIL its the way to go I tells ya.

[brightspark]

Always thought o'briain was a bellend , this proves it.
RTE's coverage for internationals might be a bit stale but is miles better than the drivel on sky, whose technical analysis can be facinating.
. BBC not too bad for six nations but Eddie butler drives me nuts.

[Old Dog]

If that is true about Daire O'Brien then he should be ashamed of himself. Unlike the poor gulible girl dont suppose it is grounds for dismissal but they seem like a wonderful family altogether.

From the little that I've seen/heard of him (I try not to watch any pre or post match analysis, if I can help it), O'Brien certainly appears to derive great satisfaction from Leinster defeats, and is a master of the snide comment on the rare occasion when they occur.

(I can only assume that he models himself on me - although his moderators appear to be far more lenient than mine.)

[hellovating]

In general, I enjoy RTE's coverage. I think Pope and, to a slightly lesser extent, O'Shea make a lot of sense. As for Hook, I take him for what he's there to do which is to put up an opposing argument regardless.

an approach also favoured by contrary 6 year olds....

[DONC]

From the little that I've seen/heard of him (I try not to watch any pre or post match analysis, if I can help it), O'Brien certainly appears to derive great satisfaction from Leinster defeats, and is a master of the snide comment on the rare occasion when they occur.

(I can only assume that he models himself on me - although his moderators appear to be far more lenient than mine.)

Perhaps because he is a Leinstercised Corkonian

[Weetabix]

some people like mcgurk and hook, which is astonishing.

Yes, I have met these people.
They think "Yer man Hook, he's hilarious!" and are the people that don't know a lot about rugby to be fair.

[DJLethal173]

There should be a policy banning any recently retired player from appearing on TV as a pundit cos it always leads to trouble.

In this case, Fla has done it very well. But if you look at Horgan's undying support for Sexton, Frankie's attempt at being funny...Quinny is honest as can be but is gonna be slated by fans for showing alleged bias.

Costello, Jackman, Lenihan...the list goes on of agendas to be settled on TV.

As far as I'm concerned, Quinny and Dean Ryan are the only two analysts in either UK or Ireland that dont let their allegiances get in the way of their TV career. And thats why the two of them are making their way up the food chain in SKY quickly

[joeriddick]

I've had a problem with RTE's coverage for a good while now. As with most RTE shows the presenters have begun to think the audience tunes in for their "banter" as opposed to the sports event being covered. The lack of technical knowledge from 75% of the pundits on screen (McGuirk, Pope and Hook) is shocking from a professional sports broadcasters.

Hook has been a one note contrarian for his entire career (who obviously doesn't believe half his own rubbish) and Daire O'Brien is, and I mean this literally, The Worst Person Ever. In a way it's the purest representation of RTE you could hope to get; shoddy, egomaniacal and an Old Boys Club clusterwank.

[Old Dog]

Quinny is honest as can be but is gonna be slated by fans for showing alleged bias.

As far as I'm concerned, Quinny and Dean Ryan are the only two analysts in either UK or Ireland that dont let their allegiances get in the way of their TV career.

Oddly enough, your posts don't show any evidence that you share Quinlan's addiction to the use of superlatives and clichés.

Agree with you about Ryan - but Quinlan is a work in progress.

[Weetabix]

As far as I'm concerned, Quinny and Dean Ryan are the only two analysts in either UK or Ireland that dont let their allegiances get in the way of their TV career. And thats why the two of them are making their way up the food chain in SKY quickly

Have to give props to Woody too, he's very neutral, is very good on Newstalk.

[DJLethal173]

Oddly enough, your posts don't show any evidence that you share Quinlan's addiction to the use of superlatives and clichés.

Agree with you about Ryan - but Quinlan is a work in progress.

Cliches are part and parcel of TV unfortunately. But I'd rather listen to them than the plugging of an agenda any day.

[DJLethal173]

Have to give props to Woody too, he's very neutral, is very good on Newstalk.

I was thinking more of TV but Woody absolutely

[Kevy-Wevz]

... and Daire O'Brien is, and I mean this literally, The Worst Person Ever.

Quoted because it sums up exactly how I feel about the tosser.

I like Popey and CO'S though, it would be folly to say O'Shea doesn't have great technical knowledge of the game. I feel it's RTE in general try to put a stop to that sort of thing. Tis all about the banter y'know ...

[munstershane]

I was thinking more of TV but Woody absolutely

He sometimes pops up on the Beeb

[DJLethal173]

O'Brien certainly appears to derive great satisfaction from Leinster defeats, and is a master of the snide comment on the rare occasion when they occur..()

Horrible bastard in my opinion and yes...

THE WORST PERSON EVER.

Maybe we can pull a Matt Williams and refere to O'Brien now as W.P.E.

[joeriddick]

Quoted because it sums up exactly how I feel about the tosser.

I like Popey and CO'S though, it would be folly to say O'Shea doesn't have great technical knowledge of the game. I feel it's RTE in general try to put a stop to that sort of thing. Tis all about the banter y'know ...

Conor O'Shea is the 25% of the panel that knows his stuff. I'd like to see him with access to a decent video board system but that would require RTE to actually, you know, give a toss about the product they put out. Actually scratch that, they'd probably just devote 15 minutes to Hooky's Doodles with aul George drawing virtual mickeys on players that had the gall to ignore his trolling arse down the Shelbourne.

Daire O'Brien is just terrible. To paraphrase Steve Carrell in obvious hyperbole; if I was stuck in a room with Daire O'Brien, Hitler and Stalin and I had a gun with two bullets I'd shoot Daire O'Brien twice.

[Kevy-Wevz]

To paraphrase Steve Carrell in obvious hyperbole; if I was stuck in a room with Daire O'Brien, Romain Poite and George Hook and I had a gun with two bullets....

Headmelter of the day..

[Lenihan]

an approach also favoured by contrary 6 year olds....

Which element of my quote is your half-arsed rub referring to? Or is it all of it?

[HenryFitz]

BBC Wales's rugby coverage consists almost entirely of chauvinistic leading questions and a number of weather vanes furiously twisting in vigorous agreement with each other. 'Aren't Wales brilliant?' 'Yes, yes they are. Dan Lydiate is superhuman, and like we've said every week, an unsung hero.' 'Yes he is. Sam Warburton is captain fantastic, and he deserves all the plaudits, but Lydiate for me, he's been more prominent.'(by being on the pitch) 'And Toby Faletau, though it's unfair to single players out in a team game, he's had a wonderful year, coming from nowhere.'(Newport)'Yes, hard to single out anyone. Heroes to a man. But Ian Evans, World Class. Getting back from his injuries, and finally fulfilling the promise that won him early rave reviews'(given by me). And so on, ad spaffinitum.

What I'm saying is, it could be worse.

[MrsMcGahan]

There should be a policy banning any recently retired player from appearing on TV as a pundit cos it always leads to trouble.

In this case, Fla has done it very well. But if you look at Horgan's undying support for Sexton, Frankie's attempt at being funny...Quinny is honest as can be but is gonna be slated by fans for showing alleged bias.

Costello, Jackman, Lenihan...the list goes on of agendas to be settled on TV.

As far as I'm concerned, Quinny and Dean Ryan are the only two analysts in either UK or Ireland that dont let their allegiances get in the way of their TV career. And thats why the two of them are making their way up the food chain in SKY quickly

Ex player favours former team shocker.

Save your mouth foam for it's correct purpose and read between the pundits lines.

[jeepers]

There should be a policy banning any recently retired player from appearing on TV as a pundit cos it always leads to trouble.

In this case, Fla has done it very well. But if you look at Horgan's undying support for Sexton, Frankie's attempt at being funny...Quinny is honest as can be but is gonna be slated by fans for showing alleged bias.

Costello, Jackman, Lenihan...the list goes on of agendas to be settled on TV.

As far as I'm concerned, Quinny and Dean Ryan are the only two analysts in either UK or Ireland that dont let their allegiances get in the way of their TV career. And thats why the two of them are making their way up the food chain in SKY quickly

Seem to recall Horgan suggesting that D'Arcy be dropped, Sexton to 12 and ROG start at 10 during the 6Ns. Horgan is a big fan of ROGs (probably because of all those trys he got put on a plate for him by ROG's boot)