M Harte - Brian Carthy RTE

Gophur

I couldn't believe this when I read it.

http://www.examiner.ie/sport/top-managers-in-carthy-stand-off-with-rte-157018.html

SOME of the country’s leading GAA inter-county managers are on a collision course with RTÉ because they believe the station’s GAA Correspondent and commentator Brian Carthy’s duties on Sundays have been downgraded.

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte confirmed to the Irish Examiner last night that several managers have withdrawn co-operation and will continue to do so until they get a meeting with RTÉ bosses on the issue.

Harte was one of several high-profile team bosses who turned down RTÉ for post-match radio and tv interviews after Tyrone’s Ulster SFC win over Monaghan on Sunday, explaining yesterday the action was in response to RTÉ "ignoring" a letter sent a fortnight ago seeking a meeting to discuss Carthy’s position.

RTÉ’s flagship Sunday Game programme did not carry any interviews either with Laois manager Justin McNulty or Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney after their respective Leinster championship games in Croke Park on Sunday against Dublin and Kildare. It has since emerged the former Armagh teammates are among a group of eight signatories to the letter posted to RTÉ.

"We sent some correspondence to the effect that we are very much dismayed and alarmed at the absence of Brian Carthy from major commentary roles at the moment," Mickey Harte told the Irish Examiner.

RTÉ head of sport Ryle Nugent confirmed last night that neither Harte, McGeeney nor McNulty would agree to RTÉ interviews on Sunday, a situation Mr Nugent expressed surprise at.

"Brian was on commentary duties in Limerick on Saturday and will be again next weekend. He is still part of our commentary team," said Nugent.

"I am of the conviction that RTÉ will assign reporters and commentators as it sees fit."

Mr Nugent also pointed out that RTÉ have less live commentary matches than before and also had a significant stable of very capable commentator across tv and radio that it was obliged to use. He also confirmed that RTÉ director general Noel Curran had received the letter from Mickey Harte and has responded, even though the Tyrone manager may not have received the letter yet.

On Sunday, Carthy was on reporting duties in Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the Cork-Waterford Munster football semi-final while Croke Park hosted two of the main games of the day, the Leinster double-header involving Laois and Dublin and Kildare against Meath with radio commentary from Darragh Moloney and Adrian Eames.

Harte said yesterday there have been "two voices on Gaelic Games" on RTÉ Radio in modern times, Brian Carthy and Michéal Ó Muircheartaigh. After the retirement of Ó Muircheartaigh last year, Carthy "seemingly disappeared into the ether" in terms of the amount of coverage he was given "or more so the games he wasn’t given".

Said Harte: "We just didn’t think that was good practice because we do believe that for Gaelic Games over the years there has been a distinctive voice on radio,’’ he added.

"And radio is an unique medium. It’s a highly challenging skill to deliver that in a way that paints a picture for people and I think you need to be steeped in the GAA to do that."

Harte explained they had sent their letter to RTÉ on May 23, saying: "We stated those very things I have spoken to you about and asked them — respectfully I might add — if they would give us a chance to have a chat with them to elaborate on how we felt.

"Not only did we not get a response, we didn’t even get recognition that our letter arrived. The letter was sent by recorded delivery, guaranteed next day and had to be signed for to be received. So, I don’t think it has been lost in the post."

Outlining the background to their stance in support of Carthy, he said that "at a quick ask", eight inter-county managers agreed to the letter being sent to RTÉ. "It’s by no means exhaustive and there are loads of people we haven’t spoken to yet. It was just to let the authorities in RTÉ know that we were concerned and that we would like to speak to them to discuss it at greater depth.

If the managers would withdraw co-operation on an on-going basis, he responded: "We believe that will be the case."


Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/sport/top-managers-in-carthy-stand-off-with-rte-157018.html#ixzz1Oawqghlr

Harte has too much of an opinion of himself. He's not right about everything and, in this case, he's sticking his oar in where it is not needed.

As for Carthy? I don't like him, he is not a good commentator. I don't think his voice or his accent lend well to doing the job right. He is not M O'Muireachtaigh , despite all efforts to try to imitate him.

As for the other managers? Who are they to follow M Harte like little lambs. Grow a pair, lads and cop on.

eigrod

Stepping way outside their brief here (the managers).

Can't see RTE being dictated to on this one.

copacetic

This was reported in other papers today too, apparently Carthy is a friend of Hartes? A real wtf moment when I read it, do the managers really think they can/should be able to pick and choose who does what outside their teams?

flahavaj

Most ridiculous thing I've heard in years. Embarrassing stuff from the managers concerned. Why do they care, or more importantly why do they think they have a right to influence such matters? Unreal.

sendit

Im glad to see im not the only one who thinks this is crazy. How would Mickey Harte feel if RTE started boycotting Tyrones games because he stopped selecting players like Sean Cavanagh for example?

super_furry

Shocking, shocking stuff that reflects very poorly on the GAA. Croke Park should haul him in and read the riot act to him.

LuckyGent88

very childish behaviour by the managers involved imo. They should get on with managing there teams and not on who is reporting/commentating on there match.

older i get better i was

for someone who lives outside our state and probably doesn't pay the license fee (tax) that the rest of us do he has some neck, then again the gaa think they own the country and have on numerous ocassions gotten away with this type of bullying, hopefully them days are gone, if mickey harte gets a say in the running of rte's hr dept i want a job reading the news! him nd his ilk make me puke......

popebenny16

this random collection of managers didnt pull this idea out of their asses - it seems to me that, peeved at not getting the number one radio position automatically, Carty has got in touch with these guys and asked for some support. Well, this is the support they are giving him.

The facft remains that Carty is a polarising figure when it comes to his commentary - and RTE spent a good deal of time last year trying out anyone, even Ger Canning, to prevent him getting the gig, and Canning sent me to sleep, he forgets he isnt commentating on telly and barely talks.

The managers are stupid to get involved in this and should give the interviews.

Colm R

Is there a contractual arrangement within the GAA/RTE/TV3 and now Newstalk, that interviews are required after games?

A la Soccer matches. Even though Alex Ferguson won't do an interview with the BBC, United are still required to send someone out for the interview.

flahavaj

Its worth noting that Carthy is an awful commentator as well. If you're going to stick your neck on the line at and annoy everyone at least do it to help someone good!:pac:

wow sierra

This is rediculous from Harte and his followers - whoever they are. Has he never heard of the idea "Canvassing will disqualify?????" It was clear at the time of Michaela's unfortunate death that Carty is a close friend of Hartes.

Surely he must realise that it is totally wrong and inappropriate to try to force RTE to choose the commentator he wants - the fact that it involves his friend makes it ten times worse. Unbelievable. And I am saying this as a Rossie who would't mind my Couny man Carty getting a nice job in RTE.;)

The more I hear from high profile managers and players, the more proud I am to have the great Fergal O'Donnell as the Roscommon manager.

howiya

Colm R wrote: »

Is there a contractual arrangement within the GAA/RTE/TV3 and now Newstalk, that interviews are required after games?

A la Soccer matches. Even though Alex Ferguson won't do an interview with the BBC, United are still required to send someone out for the interview.

Can't imagine there would be a contractual arrangement that would force amateur members to give interviews if they didn't want to.

Ridiculous situation though. Grow up lads and get on with it

Cill Dara Abu

How would Mickey Harte like it if some director in RTE was telling him how to pick his team.

I hear Kieran McGeeny is 1 of the 9, very surprised at him!

ballsymchugh

flahavaj wrote: »

Its worth noting that Carthy is an awful commentator as well. If you're going to stick your neck on the line at and annoy everyone at least do it to help someone good!:pac:

"the shot by Mickey Harte (all excited....) and it's trailed to the left and wide (getting slow and disappointed)..."

padywhack

I have no problem with this, had to listen to Darragh "soccer" Moloney refer to the pitch or field as "the park" on Sunday in his commentary.

What next he'll be calling off-side or hand ball?

Starie1975

It's an own goal and an own goal for Micky Harte.

sos33

as a laois man this just sickens me,justin macnulty should be far more concrned on his teams awful performance on sunday than who gives the commentry on games,this has absolute nothing to do with any inter-county manager:mad:

J Cheever Loophole

As some have already said here, Brain Carthy and Mickey Harte are close friends. Furthermore, one of the things that strikes me when listening back to the radio commentaries of the 2002 All Ireland semi-final and final, that in the midst of the post match tumult out on the pitch (:)), all the Armagh players being interviewed by Carthy were addressing him as Brian, and the impression I got was of someone who was on very good terms with the Armagh team, which obviously included Geezer and Justy.

I don't know what the issue is with Carthy and RTE, but the fact that the managers are taking this stance appears to me to suggest that he's getting some sort of raw deal. The bottom line is though, these managers are amateurs who are not getting paid to do interviews, and it is their right to choose not be interviewed.

Fogra

'Slán tamaill'.

older i get better i was

J Cheever Loophole wrote: »

As some have already said here, Brain Carthy and Mickey Harte are close friends. Furthermore, one of the things that strikes me when listening back to the radio commentaries of the 2002 All Ireland semi-final and final, that in the midst of the post match tumult out on the pitch (:)), all the Armagh players being interviewed by Carthy were addressing him as Brian, and the impression I got was of someone who was on very good terms with the Armagh team, which obviously included Geezer and Justy.

I don't know what the issue is with Carthy and RTE, but the fact that the managers are taking this stance appears to me to suggest that he's getting some sort of raw deal. The bottom line is though, these managers are amateurs who are not getting paid to do interviews, and it is their right to choose not be interviewed.

think your missing the point by a country mile, nobody says they have to do interviews, they have refused to give interviews to "rte" because their mate hasn't been installed as the main gaa comentator, as i said in an earlier post how mickey harte can have the neck to even comment on this as he lives in another jurisdiction where they don't pay the license fee that pays for rte is mind boggling, anyway glad to hear most public opinion i,ve heard thinks he's well out of order too.

J Cheever Loophole

older i get better i was wrote: »

think your missing the point by a country mile, nobody says they have to do interviews, they have refused to give interviews to "rte" because their mate hasn't been installed as the main gaa comentator, as i said in an earlier post how mickey harte can have the neck to even comment on this as he lives in another jurisdiction where they don't pay the license fee that pays for rte is mind boggling, anyway glad to hear most public opinion i,ve heard thinks he's well out of order too.

What a coincidence - I think I've just seen another point missed by a country mile. Mickey may live in a different jurisdiction (All Ireland titles how are you?), and not pay a licence fee, but RTE have taken the trouble to reply to him personally - I wonder why?

Might be a long shot, but it wouldn't have anything to do with the countless hours that Mickey Harte puts in to prepare his team; a team that in turn has brought in countless hundreds of thousands of pounds to the RTE coffers over the years?

Mickey Harte is an amateur - fact. He is not obliged to do an interview - fact. If he wants to make this stand, that's entirely up to him.

aidan24326

J Cheever Loophole wrote: »

Mickey Harte is an amateur - fact. He is not obliged to do an interview - fact. If he wants to make this stand, that's entirely up to him.

You're still completely missing the point. Of course Harte is an amateur (notwithstanding the payments to managers issue) and yes it's true that he's not contractually obliged to talk to any tv or radio station.

BUT, he nor any other intercounty manager has any right whatsoever to try and dictate to RTE who they should or shouldn't assign a particular position within the organisation. That's an issue for RTE management and nobody else.

This is a case of intercounty managers getting a bit too big for their boots, and it's not the first time we've seen that in recent years - (forcing the postponement of club games, stopping dual players from playing hurling, demanding ever greater financial rewards etc).

J Cheever Loophole

aidan24326 wrote: »

BUT, he nor any other intercounty manager has any right whatsoever to try and dictate to RTE who they should or shouldn't assign a particular position within the organisation. That's an issue for RTE management and nobody else.

Nor have I said he has, if you care to look back. Both RTE and MH are well within their rights carry on as they are doing now, irrespective of the actions of the other.

However RTE have felt compelled to contact MH on the issue - why is that? I would say it's because he is a lot more important to RTE than your average licence payer, and both RTE and MH are fully aware of that fact.

gandroid

padywhack wrote: »

I have no problem with this, had to listen to Darragh "soccer" Moloney refer to the pitch or field as "the park" on Sunday in his commentary.

What next he'll be calling off-side or hand ball?

"Maloney" is alright imo. He's knowledgeable enough and is a better commentator than Carthy. He's good on the soccer too.

Flukey

Brian Carthy of the overlapping of the overlapping sentences is a poor commentator. No more needs to be needs to be said about that. Darragh Maloney is the best commentator and should be given more air time for GAA matches. You will never replace the great Micheál O'Muirecheartaigh. It was the same when Fred Cogley stopped doing TV commentary on rugby for RTE. No one has reached his heights.

reprazant

J Cheever Loophole wrote: »

However RTE have felt compelled to contact MH on the issue - why is that? I would say it's because he is a lot more important to RTE than your average licence payer, and both RTE and MH are fully aware of that fact.

So he is abusing his position and that is something you are happy with?

I think that if does not want to be interviewed, RTE should just not interview him full stop.

J Cheever Loophole

reprazant wrote: »

So he is abusing his position and that is something you are happy with?

Implicit in what you are saying is that there is an obligation on MH to take part in an interview. I do not believe that to be the case.

reprazant wrote: »

I think that if does not want to be interviewed, RTE should just not interview him full stop.

I'm sure such a stance would help resolve things to everyone's satisfaction!

desaparecidos

The GAA is filled with whiny annoying fools with personal vendettas.

mosesgun

Brian Cody interviewed by rte after Kilkenny beat Wexford. Think this spells the end to mickey Harte protest. Total nonsense. He has some inflated view if his own importance.

Dr. Nick

Brian Carthy is easily the worst commentator on RTE, his pathetic attempts to copy MO'M's style over the years was frankly an embaressment. If I was that bad at my job I'd be sacked - but commentating isn't his job according to RTE? It's an addition of duties or something....

I'm not a big fan of Ryle Nugent (VERY D4) but I think he's been kind on this occasion, BC has a great job that all of us would be delighted with. It's hardly really stressful work is it? How much would that job pay? €70-80k?

To the specific point - M.Harte - you're doing your image and reputation harm by defending your mate

reprazant

J Cheever Loophole wrote: »

I'm sure such a stance would help resolve things to everyone's satisfaction!

Well, everyone bar Tyrone fans, Mickey Harte and Brian Carthy but it would seem that Harte doesn't really care too much for the fans opinions, just that his mate gets the nice job.

If the Dublin, Kerry and Tipp management got together and said that hhey would not talk to RTE as long as Carty was getting good games, you would be fine with that also?

J Cheever Loophole

reprazant wrote: »

Well, everyone bar Tyrone fans, Mickey Harte and Brian Carthy but it would seem that Harte doesn't really care too much for the fans opinions, just that his mate gets the nice job.

I would have my doubts about that - I get the impression that you have been embittered by Harte's stance and are thus going down the road of suggesting nobody really cares abut his opinions.

RTE's reply to MH would suggest to me that they value his opinion - if it was of no value, why engage?

reprazant wrote: »

If the Dublin, Kerry and Tipp management got together and said that hhey would not talk to RTE as long as Carty was getting good games, you would be fine with that also?

Like MH, that stance would be of little or no concern to me. What I would take issue with would be people telling these individuals that they have no right to refuse inteviews. To reiterate again, they can do as they like!

reprazant

Fair enough.

My point was not that he doesn't have the right to refuse to do interviews, more that he uses his right not to do any interviews purely for the benefit for his friend.

I think that is an abuse of his position of influence. I don't think that it is right that he uses his position as manager to attempt to force RTE into giving his friend a cushier job. Bad form, imo.