Modern Television Pundits/Commentators

Jump_In_Jack · 14-02-2018 6:36pm #1

Just setting this up to discuss the general views about the modern set of pundits covering PRo14 and 6Nations matches lately, and podcasts and articles particularly from recently retired players.

Personally I'm not a fan of Luke Fitzgerald (as a pundit) since he has retired, my impression (rightly or wrongly) is he is still bitter about retiring early and not achieving his perceived (by him) potential, and he's hung up on praising anything Leinster, and critiquing anyone that plays in his old positions.
My favourite retired commentator is Marcus Horan on TG4, he has a genuine warmth about him when interviewing the players. No jealousy, no negativity.
I similarly always liked Keith Wood on the BBC too; he seemed to hit the nail on the head with his comments.
I find BOD and ROG to be very interesting also as they obviously have a wealth of experience to draw from, and it's great to hear their take on matches.
Particularly how the players and coaches will be preparing and little insider details about the habits and personalities as well as the systems used to prepare and perform, and how they measure success in every aspect of performance.
Horgan and Jennings have been pretty good, and Matt Williams is very astute also, I've found the TV3 panels quite good overall lately.
I'm coming around to liking Eddie O'SUllivan lately too, I think he's found the right balance lately in his analysis between constructive criticism and picking out examples of positive play.

thomond2006 · 14-02-2018 6:53pm

Neil Francis

mfceiling · 14-02-2018 7:03pm

Bill McClarens voice was the game of rugby to me. Growing up watching rugby in the 80's was all about his ability to bring a dour encounter to life.

CatFromHue · 14-02-2018 7:44pm

I like Reggie Corrigan's interviewing skills

Jack Kanoff · 14-02-2018 7:49pm

I think for proper, unbiased and impartial commentary by someone who truly knows his onions ... You can't look any further than Frankie Sheehan.

:pac:

Professor Moriarty · 14-02-2018 7:56pm

mfceiling wrote: »

Bill McClarens voice was the game of rugby to me. Growing up watching rugby in the 80's was all about his ability to bring a dour encounter to life.

Rugby's Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

prawnsambo · 14-02-2018 8:13pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

I like Reggie Corrigan's interviewing skills

Zzippy · 14-02-2018 10:27pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

I like Reggie Corrigan's interviewing skills

I dunno, I like him but I feel like he's not bringing everything to the role, like he's not fully committed or something...

prawnsambo · 14-02-2018 10:51pm

Zzippy wrote: »

I dunno, I like him but I feel like he's not bringing everything to the role, like he's not fully committed or something...

I was wondering would anyone actually get the reference.

Jack Kanoff · 14-02-2018 10:53pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

I was wondering would anyone actually get the reference.

Yeah, it was as subtle as an Irish rugby huddle cancellation.

prawnsambo · 14-02-2018 11:07pm

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

Yeah, it was as subtle as an Irish rugby huddle cancellation.

I think your sense of humour got lost in the post. :pac:

Sanjuro · 14-02-2018 11:37pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Neil Francis

... should be marched into the sea.

14-02-2018 11:59pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

Sky Sports Pundit: "Andrew Conway, how does it feel to win Man of the Match in Munsters Champions Cup win...?"

Andrew Conway: "Yeah.. I .."
Peter O'Mahony: "ARE YOU QUESTIONING MY TEAM MATES??????"

Jack Kanoff · 15-02-2018 12:35am

Sanjuro wrote: »

... should be marched into the sea.

And then a little further...just to be sure.

Losty Dublin · 15-02-2018 12:46am

mfceiling wrote: »

Bill McClarens voice was the game of rugby to me. Growing up watching rugby in the 80's was all about his ability to bring a dour encounter to life.

I love how he calls this piece of magic. One of the few times ever that he showed bias for a try. As good as the try itself

Bonus points if you can identify his trainee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQvBcPgq8q4

ScissorPaperRock · 15-02-2018 8:56am

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

Just setting this up to discuss the general views about the modern set of pundits covering PRo14 and 6Nations matches lately, and podcasts and articles particularly from recently retired players.

Personally I'm not a fan of Luke Fitzgerald (as a pundit) since he has retired, my impression (rightly or wrongly) is he is still bitter about retiring early and not achieving his perceived (by him) potential, and he's hung up on praising anything Leinster, and critiquing anyone that plays in his old positions.
My favourite retired commentator is Marcus Horan on TG4, he has a genuine warmth about him when interviewing the players. No jealousy, no negativity.
I similarly always liked Keith Wood on the BBC too; he seemed to hit the nail on the head with his comments.
I find BOD and ROG to be very interesting also as they obviously have a wealth of experience to draw from, and it's great to hear their take on matches.
Particularly how the players and coaches will be preparing and little insider details about the habits and personalities as well as the systems used to prepare and perform, and how they measure success in every aspect of performance.
Horgan and Jennings have been pretty good, and Matt Williams is very astute also, I've found the TV3 panels quite good overall lately.
I'm coming around to liking Eddie O'SUllivan lately too, I think he's found the right balance lately in his analysis between constructive criticism and picking out examples of positive play.

I really enjoy the Left Wing podcasts with Luke Fitzgerald. They're usually pretty insightful.

mfceiling · 15-02-2018 11:12am

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I love how he calls this piece of magic. One of the few times ever that he showed bias for a try. As good as the try itself

Bonus points if you can identify his trainee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQvBcPgq8q4

A young Eddie Butler?

Professor Moriarty · 15-02-2018 11:16am

mfceiling wrote: »

A young Eddie Butler?

Fine kick through by an 8 (Emyr Lewis).

siblers · 15-02-2018 11:16am

thomond2006 wrote: »

Neil Francis

I used to Listen to him on The Last Word, Jesus Christ.. He is so pessimistic and miserable and dreary and monotone. He has good knowledge but his whole persona is just so glum

It took me a while to warm to BOD, think he tried a bit too hard initially to try to stand out by being a bit too critical or else too protective of his former team mates but find him a lot more balanced now.

Also think Shane Horgan is quite good so far for TV3. Pretty intelligent guy

Professor Moriarty · 15-02-2018 11:20am

*Inserts gumshield, puts on helmet*. I miss Hook.

thomond2006 · 15-02-2018 11:29am

siblers wrote: »

I used to Listen to him on The Last Word, Jesus Christ.. He is so pessimistic and miserable and dreary and monotone. He has good knowledge but his whole persona is just so glum

This is what is great about him.

ectoraige · 15-02-2018 11:34am

Professor Moriarty wrote: »

*Inserts gumshield, puts on helmet*. I miss Hook.

*calls for head injury assessment*

thomond2006 · 15-02-2018 11:41am

ectoraige wrote: »

*calls for head injury assessment*

Nah looks like a knee injury.

awec · 15-02-2018 12:25pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I love how he calls this piece of magic. One of the few times ever that he showed bias for a try. As good as the try itself

Bonus points if you can identify his trainee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQvBcPgq8q4

Anyone else think players in these "vintage" videos always look really old compared to players today?

prawnsambo · 15-02-2018 1:10pm

awec wrote: »

Anyone else think players in these "vintage" videos always look really old compared to players today?

Just the grainy picture I suspect. Ieuan Evans was 29 in that game I think.

Jack Kanoff · 15-02-2018 1:11pm

awec wrote: »

Anyone else think players in these "vintage" videos always look really old compared to players today?

The manly handshakes... No jumping on players and kissing

ButtersSuki · 15-02-2018 1:15pm

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

I think for proper, unbiased and impartial commentary by someone who truly knows his onions ... You can't look any further than Frankie Sheehan.

:pac:

Post of the decade! We can close the thread now.:pac::pac:

prawnsambo · 15-02-2018 1:23pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Post of the decade! We can close the thread now.:pac::pac:

Speaking of hookers doing commentary, there used to be a joke doing the rounds about a Japanese soldier who's discovered on a remote pacific island long after the war has ended. The Japanese soldier is obviously out of touch with what's happened in the world in the intervening time, so he asks the usual questions of his rescuers (I've shortened it somewhat):

JS: Did we win the war?
R: No, the allies won. Japan surrendered.
JS: Who is the US President?
R: Bill Clinton (it's an old joke

)
JS: Is Shane Byrne still playing for Leinster?

Shane Byrne seems to be now taking up the role of the Japanese soldier. "When was that law changed?"

Henry Ford III · 15-02-2018 1:32pm

Mark Robson is an acquired taste. I still haven't managed.

irishbucsfan · 15-02-2018 1:47pm

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Mark Robson is an acquired taste. I still haven't managed.

In the same way that cat **** is an acquired taste?!

baas baa · 15-02-2018 2:02pm

I really don't like this recent fad of having 3 people in the commentary box.

Modern Television Pundits/Commentators

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