"Favourite" Irish Olympic commentary gaffe?

lyverbird1

Having just watched a recording of last night's athletics, I was horrified to hear a member of the commentary panel compare the ladies' shot putt winner to a former rugby colleague in terms of looks. One thing to think it but quite another to say it live on TV, especially given he's there to commentate on her sporting prowess and not her looks.

But it was just one moment for me in a litany of embarrassing moments in RTE coverage, ranging from mispronouncing names, forgetting who is who, getting clear results wrong or displaying a hideous ignorance of the rules of the sport in question. It's not all been bad, but there's been far too many mistakes and I was just wondering what other interesting errors people have seen or heard...

Darkest Horse

Not two minutes ago, Eamon Coughlan said that a sprinter had "shot his load".

Darkest Horse

Also yesterday. (Paraphrasing)

Bill: Jerry, why is it that the Kenyans have had nine medals in the men's steeplechase but only one in the women's?

Jerry: Because it only became a women's event in 2008.

yupya1

It wasnt his fault that she looked like Byrne(and she did), hardly horrifying

waywardsun

A guest female runner said that Derval O'Rourke was in bed with her coaches.

lyverbird1

yupya1 wrote: »

It wasnt his fault that she looked like Byrne(and she did), hardly horrifying

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

KevIRL

Not a gaffe, but ask a stupid question....

Day 1 of the athletics.

Bill to David Gillick

"David, you were saying there that this looks like being a fast track, what made you think that?"

David -"Well, the times Bill"

---

A non Irish funny moment...

Yesterday after Annalise Murphy's medal race a BBC reported went over to some celebrating Belgians on the viewing area. He asks one guy what he thinks

"Fukking unbelievable, unfukkingbeliveable, I cant fukking believe it"

Cue a red face and lots of flustered apologies from the reporter

DEFTLEFTHAND

During coverage of the swimming the commentators confused the abbreviation ISL as standing for Israel. In fairness after a brief pause and check of the flag both realised their mistake and apologised to the people of Iceland. :pac:

Jimmy Magee will often make wild gaffes during his inane ramblings whilst on commentary. If you notice he never calls a fight he just pollutes the airwaves with irrelevant rubbish. Lets say you were blind or listening on a radio, he doesn't paint a picture of what's happening in the ring at all.

Dan man

Haha....Bill just said...."That was a good swim"....he was talking about Derval's hurdles semi.
Gotta love him!

Crash

The 'in my day, only protestants played badminton' bit by Bill was pretty bad.

Dan man

YoungTrouble wrote: »

That sounds hilarious.Did you tape it?
If so,PM me for postal arrangements.

No, back in the day before I had Sky Plus.

yupya1

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

He made one comment that she looked similar to an old teammate of his that's it. He then went on to tell about her win.
Ok its harsh that she is a woman and his teammate he referred was male but comments or quips are made about sports people all the time, its part of greater coverage and sport turning to "entertainment" probably wrongly in my opinion but unacceptable or horrifying?

Are you horrified when say, Wayne Rooney is called Shrek or that Linford Christy has a big lunch box?
Are you horrified about any comment made about a sports person that does not directly relate to their sport? or just their appearance?

Or are you horrified that he said it... and that you had thought it?

feargale

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

During coverage of the swimming the commentators confused the abbreviation ISL as standing for Israel. In fairness after a brief pause and check of the flag both realised their mistake and apologised to the people of Iceland. :pac:

Jimmy Magee will often make wild gaffes during his inane ramblings whilst on commentary. I,f you notice he never calls a fight he just pollutes the airwaves with irrelevant rubbish. Lets say you were blind or listening on a radio, he doesn't paint a picture of what's happening in the ring at all.

You think that's bad ? A few years ago I saw Togo play in the African nations football finals. The abbreviation TOG appeared on screen and the Eurosport commentator thought he was watching Tonga. In one London bout Jimmy started an Irish boxer's opponent as from Tajikstan and transferred him to Afghanistan half way through. I blame the geography teachers.

A Disgrace

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

It could also have been a not-so-subtle comment questioning her gender, which tbh had me wondering (and anyone else who watched it)

I think you might to lighten up a little, we live in an increasing politically correct world, and it's good to have a little fun sometimes

Pherekydes

A Disgrace wrote: »

It could also have been a not-so-subtle comment questioning her gender, which tbh had me wondering (and anyone else who watched it)

I think you might to lighten up a little, we live in an increasing politically correct world, and it's good to have a little fun sometimes

At the expense of somebody else's mother?

A Disgrace

Pherekydes wrote: »

At the expense of somebody else's mother?

He just said she looked like someone - and she does. He didn't call her a man or anything.

Naomi00

During the sailing the RTE commentator kept saying 'the Chinese girl','the Belgian girl' and 'the Dutch girl' even though their names were on the screen.

The commentating on RTE is cringy, they don't seem to know anything about some sports.

Conchir

Jimmy Magee commentating on a fight a couple of nights ago. He said about the black boxer's bright yellow boots, 'if there's a blackout in London tonight, you won't miss him with those boots.' After a pause, 'you mightn't see the rest of him, though.'

It was one of those 'did that just happen' moments, but yes, it did. Video in the link: http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/jimmy-magees-casual-racism/

baalthor

A Disgrace wrote: »

It could also have been a not-so-subtle comment questioning her gender, which tbh had me wondering (and anyone else who watched it)

I think you might to lighten up a little, we live in an increasing politically correct world, and it's good to have a little fun sometimes

The Paralympics are up next, no doubt you'll wet your pants laughing :rolleyes:

byhookorbycrook

Crash wrote: »

The 'in my day, only protestants played badminton' bit by Bill was pretty bad.

There was a guy from History Ireland (I think) in Newstalk today talking about this. Apparently someone researched the small ad on the irish Times and up to the mid seventies Protestant badminton clubs advertised as such on the Times looking for new members.So,a gaffe now in PC and more modern times, but somewhat understandable perhaps for someone of Bill's age.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Conchir wrote: »

Jimmy Magee commentating on a fight a couple of nights ago. He said about the black boxer's bright yellow boots, 'if there's a blackout in London tonight, you won't miss him with those boots.' After a pause, 'you mightn't see the rest of him, though.'

It was one of those 'did that just happen' moments, but yes, it did. Video in the link: http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/jimmy-magees-casual-racism/

He has prior form in this regard. I remember during a football game he was working on a black player took a ball to the face. Magee's reaction was to wonder whether his lips would swell up even bigger.

WumBuster

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

He has prior form in this regard. I remember during a football game he was working on a black player took a ball to the face. Magee's reaction was to wonder whether his lips would swell up even bigger.

I like his personality but I think he's awful as commentator. he dosent describe whats going on enough only going off in tangents with pointless information. Heard Marty Morrissey commentating on one of the fights on the radio and he's much better and is much more in the moment, even if his boxing knowledge isnt quite as good as Magees.

ciaranmac

Not my favourite but Mick Dowling describing John Joe Nevin as "a good thinker ... with a T H".

I think my favourite gaffe was George Hamilton on a friendly between Ireland and the Netherlands in the 90s. One of the Dutch players was called Valckx and George referred to him all through the match as "Vollocks". "Koeman passes to Vollocks, yes that is his real name, to Frank de Boer..."

A Primal Nut

Jimmy Magee is some craic.

"I asked Lennox Lewis for a comment on Katie Taylor and he summed her up in one sentence: she boxes like a man".

Katie Taylor is in sat nav. (did he mean cruise control?)

"This young lady from Bray, woman from Bray, or is it lady from Bray, I'm not sure?"

A Disgrace

baalthor wrote: »

The Paralympics are up next, no doubt you'll wet your pants laughing :rolleyes:

Jesus, no. Why on earth would you compare the two?

CecilBlunt

More Jimme from today: If you're watching Katie live or later on DVD.

Conchir

Not a gaffe strictly speaking, but Timmy McCarthy's commentating on the basketball is fantastic:

http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/01/timmy-mccarthys-amazing-basketball-commentary-for-usa-vs-tunisia/

Boom-shakalaka.

LiamMc

WumBuster wrote: »

I like his personality but I think he's awful as commentator. he dosent describe whats going on enough only going off in tangents with pointless information. Heard Marty Morrissey commentating on one of the fights on the radio and he's much better and is much more in the moment, even if his boxing knowledge isnt quite as good as Magees.

Unfortunately Marty has a notorious quote under his belt aswell.
About 8 or maybe 12 years ago when interviewing the mother of one of the boxers about the athletes childhood " and did he ever lay his hands on you?".
There were complaints.

mitosis

Conchir wrote: »

Jimmy Magee commentating on a fight a couple of nights ago. He said about the black boxer's bright yellow boots, 'if there's a blackout in London tonight, you won't miss him with those boots.' After a pause, 'you mightn't see the rest of him, though.'

It was one of those 'did that just happen' moments, but yes, it did. Video in the link: http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/jimmy-magees-casual-racism/

It's not racism - the guy IS black and would be hard to see in the dark. Why make more of it than it is. Have people nothing else to do?

mitosis

You need to appreciate these people are on for hours at a time, most of it unscripted. I shudder to think what I'd be like in those circumstances.

I might be like a British TV person

"Chile have three options - they could win or they could lose."

“Have you, like this case, been in hospital, denied a drink of water and consequently died. Let us know…”

"That's cricket, Harry, you get these sort of things in boxing."

"That's the fastest time ever run - but it's not as fast as the world record."

Pherekydes

"Her head's the same size as when she was a child"

Kirby

My favourite by an absolute mile. 2006 World cup. Portugal are playing and it's half time.

Bill says, "And we have a substitution for Portugal. Coming on is......Joe Quinn. He sound's Irish lads, doesn't he?"

Giles says, "Thats Joaquin there Bill."

Never forget it.

Helix

Naomi00 wrote: »

The commentating on RTE is cringy, they don't seem to know anything about some sports.

that's grand though, coz most of the people watching haven't a clue either

hefferboi

Kirby wrote: »

My favourite by an absolute mile. 2006 World cup. Portugal are playing and it's half time.

Bill says, "And we have a substitution for Portugal. Coming on is......Joe Quinn. He sound's Irish lads, doesn't he?"

Giles says, "Thats Joaquin there Bill."

Never forget it.

Funny, but he played for Spain.

Mine is Jimmy Magee on Katie Taylor,

"She's winning this round hands up"

Gergiev

Not exactly a gaffe, but you'd think that someone, somewhere over all RTE's networks would have properly researched Katie Taylor's opponent yesterday and the proper pronunciation of her name.

It's O-Cheeg-Ava and NOT Oh-Chee-Ga-Va.

Kind of like when you hear Drogheda announced as Draw-Geeda on British TV, for example.

That's unless she's one of the Oh-Chee-Ga-Vas of Annagassan, of course...

Pherekydes

Not a commentary gaffe, but one of those Newstalk eejits said David Rudisha ran the first 200m of his race in "something like 20 seconds".

Dan man

In the European Championships this summer Eamonn Dunphy was commenting on how good a job the Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque was doing uniting the players from the various rival autonomous regions of Spain, and that it was notable that the Spanish players took a conscious and collective decision not to sing the national anthem, thus proving his point that there was no conflict in the team.....
Of course, none of the other eejits in the studio were able to tell him that the Spanish national anthem has no words so of course they made a conscious decision not to sing along :rolleyes:.

Ash.J.Williams

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

During coverage of the swimming the commentators confused the abbreviation ISL as standing for Israel. In fairness after a brief pause and check of the flag both realised their mistake and apologised to the people of Iceland. :pac:

Jimmy Magee will often make wild gaffes during his inane ramblings whilst on commentary. If you notice he never calls a fight he just pollutes the airwaves with irrelevant rubbish. Lets say you were blind or listening on a radio, he doesn't paint a picture of what's happening in the ring at all.

such as
"look at his opponent there, throwing punches trying to score points?"

pcworldisajoke

the second Ryle Nugent opened his mouth. I was enjoying the RTE coverage until he came in to steal their thunder the last couple of days as the finals came around. But he is HEAD of RTE sport afterall......

Worst commentator of all time, get off the air you berk. And please please don't do any more rugby, the mute button is starting to break on my remote.

wolfyboy555

Michael Lester to Bernard Dunne.....'if John Joe won today he would have a chance at fighting for gold'!!!!!!!

Cardinal Richelieu

Claire Byrne announces a commercial break before the Paddy Barnes Fight Commentary on RTE Radio 1 today and then tells us to relax that they be back before the fight so we won't miss anything. After the commercial break the first thing you hear out of Marty Morrissey mouth is that we are 30 secs into the fight.:D

theoneeyedman

Thismorning peter Collins said that' Nevins supporters would take the roof off the xcel arena later this afternoon '.......

Bambaata

The coverage of the cycling was face-palm stuff! Not just once did they call Vinokurov Russian, but then went on to mix Vinokurov and Uran up!

Gergiev

Not exactly a gaffe, but where did the idea take hold that this has been our most successful Olympics since 1956?

Sports followers know that Olympic medal success is graded by gold/silver/bronze so the 1996 haul of 3 golds and a bronze is easily our best since then.

However, there seems to be some kind of conspiracy on RTE not to mention Michelle Smith and keep trumpeting this other version.

When Taylor won the other day, it was frequently mentioned on RTE radio that this was our fist gold since 1992.

(I admit I've been working with the radio on in the background, but I don't think every report of this emphasised first boxing gold since '92).

Seems RTE wants to write Smith out of the official narrative but she retains the medals.

Doubly ironic, as when questions were first asked in the hours after MS's spectacular performance in Atlanta, they weren't aired on our national broadcaster who made an editorial decision not to challenge the national mood of the time.

Or am I wrong about this???

premierstone

Gergiev wrote: »

Not exactly a gaffe, but where did the idea take hold that this has been our most successful Olympics since 1956?

Sports followers know that Olympic medal success is graded by gold/silver/bronze so the 1996 haul of 3 golds and a bronze is easily our best since then.

However, there seems to be some kind of conspiracy on RTE not to mention Michelle Smith and keep trumpeting this other version.

When Taylor won the other day, it was frequently mentioned on RTE radio that this was our fist gold since 1992.

(I admit I've been working with the radio on in the background, but I don't think every report of this emphasised first boxing gold since '92).

Seems RTE wants to write Smith out of the official narrative but she retains the medals.

Doubly ironic, as when questions were first asked in the hours after MS's spectacular performance in Atlanta, they weren't aired on our national broadcaster who made an editorial decision not to challenge the national mood of the time.

Or am I wrong about this???

5 seperate individual medalists certainly trumps one individual's very questionable achievements in my book.

Gergiev

premierstone wrote: »

5 seperate individual medalists certainly trumps one individual's very questionable achievements in my book.

I agree with that wholeheartedly but it's not really the national broadcaster's remit to make that kind of censorial decision, we can do that for ourselves.

The_Kew_Tour

I cant for life of me remember which Irish boxer it was, but I remember Jimmy Magee saying one time "Most people think his biggest strength is his right hook, but I think its his right jab"

It was kinda one those moments where he felt he was saying "listen I know more then you at home do, so listen"

Malown

Love the way they sent Gary O'Toole to London so he couldn't take the piss out of Bill O'Herlihy's idiotic remarks in the studio like in previous Olympics.

Clareman

They've been getting more and more careful with their wording, they've be very subtly saying "largest medal haul" and "most successful Olympics medals wise" as well as saying "first boxing gold since 92".

lyverbird1

Nice you agree it was harsh.

yupya1 wrote: »

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

He made one comment that she looked similar to an old teammate of his that's it. He then went on to tell about her win.
Ok its harsh that she is a woman and his teammate he referred was male but comments or quips are made about sports people all the time, its part of greater coverage and sport turning to "entertainment" probably wrongly in my opinion but unacceptable or horrifying?

Are you horrified when say, Wayne Rooney is called Shrek or that Linford Christy has a big lunch box?
Are you horrified about any comment made about a sports person that does not directly relate to their sport? or just their appearance?

Or are you horrified that he said it... and that you had thought it?

Pisco Sour

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Nice you agree it was harsh.

Given the fact "she" failed a drug test and was stripped of her medal in no time I tend to disagree that Victor Costello's comments were harsh. Very fair in fact. Women do not look like that through legit means!