McGURK

fryup

Tom McGURK does my head in, with his self rightgeous smug attitude....he's forever taking side swipes at George Hook, well at least Hook has experience, bet he never played the game in his life.

Surely RTE could come up with a better & less annoying anchorman

what do you think....

fryup

fryup wrote: »

Tom McGURK does my head in, with his self rightgeous smug attitude....he's forever taking side swipes at George Hook, well at least Hook has experience, bet he never played the game in his life.

Surely RTE could come up with a better & less annoying anchorman

what do you think....

They should fire Mcgurk and Hook and bring in Gerry thornley,to replace them.

Those 2 clowns dont have a clue and spoil the match for most.

Erin Go Brath

Fletcher Gray Creature wrote: »

They should fire Mcgurk and Hook and bring in Gerry thornley,to replace them.

Those 2 clowns dont have a clue and spoil the match for most.

How could Gerry Thornley replace them.

*Picturing Gerry Thornley asking a question to Gerry Thornley.*

fryup

gerry thornley, no thanks

1. he's got a condescending D4 accent
2. he's got greasy hair

chupacabra

Ah now. The purpse of McGurk is to have an apparently in-experienced guy to ask the dumb questions so the panelists can have something to talk about, he gives them direction and i pity you if you take it all serious enough to get annoyed over it. He is simply the Bill O'Herlihy of the rugby panel as Hook is the Dunphy.

hardCopy

I think the RTE panel are far more interesting/entertaining to watch than their BBC counterparts.

Tom does a good job asking questions that the newcomers are afraid to ask their friends, the downside to this is that the newcomers think George's answers are worth listening to! (And then repeat them verbatim in the pub)

Erin Go Brath

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

How could Gerry Thornley replace them.

*Picturing Gerry Thornley asking a question to Gerry Thornley.*

Why couldnt he replace them?

2 people can be replaced by 1.

themont85

fryup wrote: »

Tom McGURK does my head in, with his self rightgeous smug attitude....he's forever taking side swipes at George Hook, well at least Hook has experience, bet he never played the game in his life.

Surely RTE could come up with a better & less annoying anchorman

what do you think....

McGuirk has as much experience as Hook I believe, played for Old Belvedere in the past. Hook played with St Marys, hardly 'experience' vastly superior to McGuirk. True Hook has more coaching experience but then again, its hardly stellar experience at that. And whats the problem with the presenter not having 'experiece' of playing? I doubt Bill O'Herihily was a past player but he is a master at presenting and giving Dunphy et al bait to run with on RTE's soccer coverage.

McGuirk is the rugby version. I'd be more worried about Hook tbh. McGuirk's job is to rouse Hook for entertainment purposes, he does it well. Your still watching RTE's coverage, if you want something different there's always the BBC.

mike65

Exactly, its an entertainment format issue, nothing to do with "expertise". If that were the intention they'd have 3/4 exprofessional rugger buggers who'd bore 80% of the viewing public which for 6 nations is fairly casual in nature. Most viewers do not go near a real life game or know much about the games subtlies.

damselnat

RTE is more entertaining than BBC, at least Hook's sh!teing on can be laughed at
But McGurk's presenting leaves a lot to be desired

Erin Go Brath

Fletcher Gray Creature wrote: »

Why couldnt he replace them?

2 people can be replaced by 1.

Then your reducing the panel which is a bad thing imo. Its nice to get a few different voices and opinions. I think it works the way it is at the moment. McGurk is likeable imo, although many would disagree with me it seems. McGurk and Hook for the humour and entertainment, Popey and O'Shea for the substance. Its a good balance and it works.

gcgirl

I look at Tom McGurk and think ''How could you have done him Miriam''

Noopti

I don't mind McGurk most of the time, he does spout BS a lot though.

But what annoyed me most was when he interrupted Jackie Jyle at one point on Saturday, before he had a chance to finish his sentence. :mad:

puntosporting

I always watch the games on bbc but swith back to rte to hear the panel as i find it hilarious!
Love when pope and hook have a falling out with mcgurk snipping in the background stirring a big wooden spoon!
Makes good tv!

Aidric

I don't have any major qualms with McGurk's handling of the RTE panel. Yes, he can be pompous and he interrupts more than he should but I'd have him over the stale BBC output any day. Just how bad is Guscott? Seriously the man should be removed for his blinkered opinions.

conf101

puntosporting wrote: »

I always watch the games on bbc but swith back to rte to hear the panel as i find it hilarious!
Love when pope and hook have a falling out with mcgurk snipping in the background stirring a big wooden spoon!
Makes good tv!

Ha, yeah like on Saturday when they were arguing about something and McGurk was trying to go to Conor O' Shea but Popey just kept talking and then ended with "You're not always right you know George", like a child who didn't get his way.

I like the RTE panel, it's got great entertainment as long as you don't take it too seriously and then when you want some decent analysis worth listenng to you've got Conor O' Shea.

puntosporting

conf101 wrote: »

Ha, yeah like on Saturday when they were arguing about something and McGurk was trying to go to Conor O' Shea but Popey just kept talking and then ended with "You're not always right you know George", like a child who didn't get his way.

I like the RTE panel, it's got great entertainment as long as you don't take it too seriously and then when you want some decent analysis worth listenng to you've got Conor O' Shea.

Exactly how i see it!

IIMII

Don't know from a rugby persepctive but I like him as a commenator in general. Some of the stuff he's written has been very informative, and he isn't afraid to question

[Jackass]

fryup wrote: »

gerry thornley, no thanks

1. he's got a condescending D4 accent
2. he's got greasy hair

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

How many of ye are there out there? An endless line of muppets.

Thornley is a good analysit of the game, although he wouldn't be my choice as a panilist, I wouldn't let my inferiority complex be a deciding factor.

Back on topic, I have to say I like the panel on RTE, as someone said, better than that of BBC and imo, Sky & Setanta (not hard - any panel with Neill Francis should be taken off the air and the director of the show serve a lengthy prison sentence.)

Would like to have seen Tony Ward on there instead of Conor O'Shea though maybe - as O'Shea seems to be in there as the voice of reason beside the two bickering children. I always enjoy Tony Wards analysis during games and on the occassions he writes them, his un-bias articles are excellent.

Noopti

[Jackass] wrote: »

Would like to have seen Tony Ward on there instead of Conor O'Shea though maybe - as O'Shea seems to be in there as the voice of reason beside the two bickering children. I always enjoy Tony Wards analysis during games and on the occassions he writes them, his un-bias articles are excellent.

Eh, you are joking yes?

Tony Ward is the king of talking a lot, but saying absolutely nothing. How you can even consider that it would be a good thing to replace Conor O'Shea with him is beyond me.

ScholesyIsGod

[Jackass] wrote: »

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

How many of ye are there out there? An endless line of muppets.

Thornley is a good analysit of the game, although he wouldn't be my choice as a panilist, I wouldn't let my inferiority complex be a deciding factor.

Back on topic, I have to say I like the panel on RTE, as someone said, better than that of BBC and imo, Sky & Setanta (not hard - any panel with Neill Francis should be taken off the air and the director of the show serve a lengthy prison sentence.)

Would like to have seen Tony Ward on there instead of Conor O'Shea though maybe - as O'Shea seems to be in there as the voice of reason beside the two bickering children. I always enjoy Tony Wards analysis during games and on the occassions he writes them, his un-bias articles are excellent.

I couldnt have put it better myself!

NickNolte

I'd be inclined to remove Hook and replace him with Thornley. Even if I am terribly intimidated by his 'condescending D4 accent'. The bastard. :rolleyes:

Junior

I understand McGurk's position, but his patronising when he needs to go to an ad break etc gets to me.

johnnyboy4711

how did this guy get the job?was there nobody else at the interview?
I watch Ireland v whoever on bbc and switch back to rte for hooky and popey!
Nugent does my nuts in!

Junior

johnnyboy4711 wrote: »

how did this guy get the job?was there nobody else at the interview?
I watch Ireland v whoever on bbc and switch back to rte for hooky and popey!
Nugent does my nuts in!

Hook was knocking his mother, that's how he got the job :eek:

fryup

johnnyboy4711 wrote: »

how did this guy get the job?was there nobody else at the interview?

Nugent does my nuts in!

bring back good ol' Fred Cogley

whatever happened to Fred

jdivision

Fred's crap, always was. Never knew who had the ball. He still does coverage for setanta

Junior

jdivision wrote: »

Fred's crap, always was. Never knew who had the ball. He still does coverage for setanta

His Son runs Setanta or something like that ? They normally trot him out when there's a couple of matches on and he covers one, I'll be honest, he's no worse that George 'Danger Here' Hamilton. I'm awaiting the day RTÉ wheel out Peter Collins for some rugby gig.

Eoin

themont85 wrote: »

McGuirk has as much experience as Hook I believe, played for Old Belvedere in the past. Hook played with St Marys, hardly 'experience' vastly superior to McGuirk. True Hook has more coaching experience but then again, its hardly stellar experience at that.

It may not be world class coaching experience, but it's not insignificant either. I'd strongly recommend people read Hook's autobiography. "Invariably" may be used quite often, but I think some people might not realise that he has been involved in rugby a bit more than people give him credit for. He worked with Eddie O'Sullivan for a stint as well, which made his punditry during EOS's reign more relevant.

He also doesn't get on particularly well with McGurk, which can make things interesting. In his book he says that one time he had an ex-Australian player appear on the panel as well, and McGurk was quite rude to him and Hook. He claims that he was about to stand up and give McGurk a slap before remembering he was on the telly.

buck65

Ryle "magic absolute magic Munster unbiased hyperbole" Nugent is the sole reason I watch rugby on the beeb, a useless commentator , George " I am a Cambridge scolar who knows **** all about sport"Hamilton knows nothing about rugby and the gaps in his commentary are hilarious when there is a pen given - someone must be writing "offside" or " hands in the ruck" on a notepad for him while he is waiting.
Next thing rte will wheel out Ger "finishes with aplomb and no little craft- Mc Cliche" Cunningham or Marty " take me back to my own planet where I don't look so weird" Morrisey.

r0nanf

How could you want to get rid of an anchor who gave us this gold:

2004 @ Twickenham, when they cut back to panel after final whistle, and McGurk was so biased and emotionally attached to the coverage that was seen with tears in eyes and the landmark quote "well, it looks like the wheels have come off that chariot"

Absolute legends of broadcasting. BBC is the most stale drivel ever, at half time in Scotland v Italy last week they used adjectives like "riveting" and "pacy". It was neither. It was rubbish, but they have to tow the neutral line

r0nanf

r0nanf wrote: »

How could you want to get rid of an anchor who gave us this gold:

2004 @ Twickenham, when they cut back to panel after final whistle, and McGurk was so biased and emotionally attached to the coverage that was seen with tears in eyes and the landmark quote "well, it looks like the wheels have come off that chariot"

Absolute legends of broadcasting. BBC is the most stale drivel ever, at half time in Scotland v Italy last week they used adjectives like "riveting" and "pacy". It was neither. It was rubbish, but they have to tow the neutral line

The same McGurk who said the other week,when we beat france.800 years of oppresion eh,then quickly shut up.The man is a clown.

Crash

No, no no, it wasn't 800 years of oppression, it was 700. Which makes it even dumber :P

thehighground

Crash wrote: »

No, no no, it wasn't 800 years of oppression, it was 700. Which makes it even dumber :P

McGurk is from Tyrone (I don't know what his background is), but presumably its catholic/nationalist since he is down here for such a long time. Any of you learn anything about how catholics/nationalists were treated in NI back then? Any of you know anything about the civil rights marches etc. - McGurk would have been growing up around that time so has first hand experience.

Eoin

That would be more relevant if he wasn't a professional presenter chairing a sports program.

thehighground

eoin wrote: »

That would be more relevant if he wasn't a professional presenter chairing a sports program.

Its generally treated as a fairly harmless comment nowadays about defeating the 'old enemy'.

I've heard Axel Foley when asked how do Munster prepare for team like Sale in Heineken Cup big games (laughlingly) say "we get out our DVDs of the 'Wind that Shakes the Barley'.

No one takes it seriously!

nacho libre

For me the RTE coverage is both informative and hugely entertaining. Now contrast that with the BBC analysis which is boring and not very informative.
You have Hook and Pope arguing like children and McGurk winding them up further. Meanwhile O'Shea calmly waiting to impart some knowledge about what's happening in a game. If i have one criticism of Mc Gurk it's that he interrupts too much and he did to Kyle on Sunday. I know there are commercial considerations but let the man finish his sentence without interruption!

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

McGurk is from Tyrone (I don't know what his background is), but presumably its catholic/nationalist since he is down here for such a long time. Any of you learn anything about how catholics/nationalists were treated in NI back then? Any of you know anything about the civil rights marches etc. - McGurk would have been growing up around that time so has first hand experience.

Of being persecuted by the French?
I dont think France oppresed us though,I could be wrong

thehighground

Fletcher Gray Creature wrote: »

Of being persecuted by the French?
I dont think France oppresed us though,I could be wrong

No, but they let us down loads of times during our 'oppression'

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

No, but they let us down loads of times during our 'oppression'

They were too bust Shagging and drinking wine,also had some parts of Africa to sort out.:D

thehighground

Fletcher Gray Creature wrote: »

They were too bust Shagging and drinking wine,also had some parts of Africa to sort out.:D

... not to mention doing their own bit of 'oppressing down there'

Bang on the money Tom, those Frenches always spoiling our party ...

Judgement Day

Fletcher Gray Creature wrote: »

Of being persecuted by the French?
I dont think France oppresed us though,I could be wrong

It was the Normans (Frenchies) not the bloody English that invaded in 1170!

Judgement Day

Judgement Day wrote: »

It was the Normans (Frenchies) not the bloody English that invaded in 1170!

Come on,I know Tom's old but thats taking it a bit far.

Serenity Now!

r0nanf wrote: »

How could you want to get rid of an anchor who gave us this gold:

2004 @ Twickenham, when they cut back to panel after final whistle, and McGurk was so biased and emotionally attached to the coverage that was seen with tears in eyes and the landmark quote "well, it looks like the wheels have come off that chariot"

That wasn't what the wally said.
"You know where you can stick your chariots" was actually what he blurted.

Aidric

buck65 wrote: »

Ryle "magic absolute magic Munster unbiased hyperbole" Nugent is the sole reason I watch rugby on the beeb, a useless commentator , George " I am a Cambridge scolar who knows **** all about sport"Hamilton knows nothing about rugby and the gaps in his commentary are hilarious when there is a pen given - someone must be writing "offside" or " hands in the ruck" on a notepad for him while he is waiting.
Next thing rte will wheel out Ger "finishes with aplomb and no little craft- Mc Cliche" Cunningham or Marty " take me back to my own planet where I don't look so weird" Morrisey.

Jaysus, there's more analogy's in there than a Roy Curtis article.

Marty was a good player in his day,horrified the opposition into defeat.