Off The Ball Official Thread <Mod Note - Post #1, #533, #6651>

Faugheen · 13-12-2018 01:45PM

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I see OTB have signed up Johhny Sexton. To do what exactly I don't know? Maybe he'll read out the Boylesports betting odds on the weekend's rugby games?

If I was to have a rough guess, I would imagine it's to have access to him head of big games/big weekends and nobody else can.

Imagine snapping up the current worlds best player and people still find a way to have a dig.

Tell me how · 13-12-2018 01:46PM

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I see OTB have signed up Johhny Sexton. To do what exactly I don't know? Maybe he'll read out the Boylesports betting odds on the weekend's rugby games?

From Off the Ball

In a partnership with Off The Ball and Communicorp Media that will run until July 2021, Sexton is committed to a number of event appearances, as well as regular guest contributions on-air and across all Off The Ball digital channels.

Communicorp Media owner, Denis O’Brien, has been a long-term supporter of Irish rugby and has renewed his commitment to Leinster and the IRFU, by facilitating Sexton’s partnership with Off The Ball.

I suspect an end of season road show appearance and maybe a monthly chat on how progress is going in preparing for World Cup. Suspect he might also host media events to bring in potential sponsors.

Seeing Denis O'Brien's name in there is curious, this could be a roundabout way of influencing Johnny's salary........

Probably shrewd enough business. He is the biggest name in Irish sport at the moment. Time will tell, this could be anything from a weekly podcast to 2 appearances a year at a meet and greet.

pc7 · 13-12-2018 01:49PM

As a player there are no words, Johnny is just amazing. I've been to a few gigs he's spoken at and I have to say he looks like he absolute hates it. Comes across really nervous or that he just doesn't want to do it (almost shy?). Maybe he'll get more natural at it but it doesn't seem to be his forte.

Tell me how · 13-12-2018 01:52PM

pc7 wrote: »

As a player there are no words, Johnny is just amazing. I've been to a few gigs he's spoken at and I have to say he looks like he absolute hates it. Comes across really nervous or that he just doesn't want to do it (almost shy?). Maybe he'll get more natural at it but it doesn't seem to be his forte.

Heard him on Eamon Dunphy's podcast. Thought he was good on that. Maybe behind the camera is his preference.

I suspect wherever he is, Brian O'Driscoll won't be too far away. Would rather not. An 'interview' of Brian telling Johnny how wonderful he is doesn't appeal to me.

Loafing Oaf · 13-12-2018 01:56PM

pc7 wrote: »

As a player there are no words

almost as a pundit too by the sounds (or lack thereof) of it:P

pc7 wrote: »

I've been to a few gigs he's spoken at and I have to say he looks like he absolute hates it. Comes across really nervous or that he just doesn't want to do it (almost shy?)

sightband · 13-12-2018 03:03PM

Tell me how wrote: »

From Off the Ball
He is the biggest name in Irish sport at the moment.

I think you could be right and that is very depressing.

gormdubhgorm · 13-12-2018 03:49PM

ballsymchugh wrote: »

OTBAM on Monday morning was brutal. one of the biggest upsets in GAA for a long time on Sunday, and they spend about 5 minutes slagging off Kilmacud Crokes from the point of view of other clubs in Dublin, talking absolute shyte.

no one cares about your poxy local rivalry, especially when those local rivalries have imported players from all over the country. local rivalry me hole.

Hon Mullinalaghta!

I did not hear it. But Kilmacud are local lads, by the way.
To me if OTB were serious they would be having someone on to discuss Mullinalaghta structures, tactics etc. How they make use of resources etc.

OK they were fortunate in a one off game against Kilmacud. But they now have three Longford titles in a row and had five players on the Longford team that beat Meath in the championship last year.

They did not appear completely out of the blue as people seem to be implying.
However, this must be balanced by pointing out that Kilmacud were poor against Portlaoise, they were lucky to beat Portlaoise. And this year was Kilmacud's first venture outside Dublin since 2010.

sightband · 13-12-2018 08:06PM

I don’t listen to the show much anymore but hats off to the lad that was interviewing Giles there. He managed to bring a bit of life and fun out of Giles...it was good listening although he was a bit loose with the questions and Giles hadn’t a clue about some of the questions, Giles is sharp as it gets with spoofing when he needs to be. Reckless challenge he hadn’t a breeze about and admits as much but then comes out with “I think he went for the ball, I may be right or I may be wrong”...or I may not have a f*cking clue about the question.

redbuck · 13-12-2018 08:13PM

sightband wrote: »

I think you could be right and that is very depressing.

Why is that depressing?

sightband · 13-12-2018 08:57PM

redbuck wrote: »

Why is that depressing?

Because in my ripe old age of mid forties I’ve grown up with Irish sports stars, team and individual who were globally recognised in their sport. Rugby, like it or not is not a popular sport internationally, it’s pretty much us, UK and the commonwealth and its very much an elitist sport limited to those that can afford to play it or be around those that play it. We’ve one guy in a team sport which is not all that popular and let’s be honest, the majority of people haven’t a breeze who he is or anything about the sport. This has not been the case in Irish sport for quite some time and he may be our top man at the moment. It’s very depressing.

Tell me how · 13-12-2018 09:02PM

sightband wrote: »

Because in my ripe old age of mid forties I’ve grown up with Irish sports stars, team and individual who were globally recognised in their sport. Rugby, like it or not is not a popular sport internationally, it’s pretty much us, UK and the commonwealth and its very much an elitist sport limited to those that can afford to play it or be around those that play it. We’ve one guy in a team sport which is not all that popular and let’s be honest, the majority of people haven’t a breeze who he is or anything about the sport. This has not been the case in Irish sport for quite some time and he may be our top man at the moment. It’s very depressing.

I think you are being a bit hard on rugby. It is growing in popularity and while fee paying schools dominate at this point, that is largely a legacy thing.

It has a strong claim to being the most popular sport in Limerick City. That could hardly be called elitist.

In terms of our biggest sports star at this point in time. We do quite well given our population size. I'd rather Johnny flying the flag for the country than a certain other lad who is unquestionably more recognized worldwide.

OldMrBrennan83 · 13-12-2018 09:06PM

Tell me how wrote: »

I think you are being a bit hard on rugby. It is growing in popularity and while fee paying schools dominate at this point, that is largely a legacy thing.

It has a strong claim to being the most popular sport in Limerick City. That could hardly be called elitist.

In terms of our biggest sports star at this point in time. We do quite well given our population size. I'd rather Johnny flying the flag for the country than a certain other lad who is unquestionably more recognized worldwide.

He's not though, he's flying this thing.

Tell me how · 13-12-2018 09:07PM

Patww79 wrote: »

He's not though, he's flying this thing.

Hey, if you want to think he is not representing the country well because we have a 32 county team but not a 32 county country, then you do that.

sightband · 13-12-2018 09:15PM

Tell me how wrote: »

I think you are being a bit hard on rugby. It is growing in popularity and while fee paying schools dominate at this point, that is largely a legacy thing.

It has a strong claim to being the most popular sport in Limerick City. That could hardly be called elitist.

In terms of our biggest sports star at this point in time. We do quite well given our population size. I'd rather Johnny flying the flag for the country than a certain other lad who is unquestionably more recognized worldwide.

I avoided mcgregor deliberately as I was quoting you and it was based on international representation, team or individual, he doesn’t represent Ireland in any discipline as far as I know. I totally disagree with anyone saying rugby is growing in popularity anywhere. We can go down viewership figures and the value of contracts if you want but that’s probably for another thread. But trust me it’s not. My point was, we used have men and women internationally recognised for decades in athletics and football and now, as you said yourself our top star is probably Sexton in a very limited sport in terms of viewership and players...as I said very few would know who he is.

redbuck · 13-12-2018 10:05PM

sightband wrote: »

I avoided mcgregor deliberately as I was quoting you and it was based on international representation, team or individual, he doesn’t represent Ireland in any discipline as far as I know. I totally disagree with anyone saying rugby is growing in popularity anywhere. We can go down viewership figures and the value of contracts if you want but that’s probably for another thread. But trust me it’s not. My point was, we used have men and women internationally recognised for decades in athletics and football and now, as you said yourself our top star is probably Sexton in a very limited sport in terms of viewership and players...as I said very few would know who he is.

I’d imagine 90% of kids in Ireland know who Johnny Sexton is.

sightband · 13-12-2018 10:17PM

redbuck wrote: »

I’d imagine 90% of kids in Ireland know who Johnny Sexton is.

I’d imagine your 90% could be true but you’ve 100% missed my point.

Clonmel1000 · 13-12-2018 10:26PM

Tell me how wrote: »

I think you are being a bit hard on rugby. It is growing in popularity and while fee paying schools dominate at this point, that is largely a legacy thing.

It has a strong claim to being the most popular sport in Limerick City. That could hardly be called elitist.

In terms of our biggest sports star at this point in time. We do quite well given our population size. I'd rather Johnny flying the flag for the country than a certain other lad who is unquestionably more recognized worldwide.

Do you really think rugby is ahead of soccer and hurling in Limerick City? Seriously??

Tell me how · 13-12-2018 10:54PM

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Do you really think rugby is ahead of soccer and hurling in Limerick City? Seriously??

I think it has a strong claim. I'm not saying that it is definitely ahead of the rest. But Limerick has a lot of Rugby clubs for it's size.

When you say soccer? Are you talking about local participation attendance at games or followers of EPL?

Clonmel1000 · 13-12-2018 10:57PM

Junior soccer in limerick is massive I would say second only to Dublin. NAP are the club hurling champions and Limerick are the current AI champions. I would put rugby behind both for participation and interest. Maybe someone from limerick could verify this.

fire_man · 13-12-2018 11:35PM

sightband wrote: »

I don’t listen to the show much anymore but hats off to the lad that was interviewing Giles there. He managed to bring a bit of life and fun out of Giles...it was good listening although he was a bit loose with the questions and Giles hadn’t a clue about some of the questions, Giles is sharp as it gets with spoofing when he needs to be. Reckless challenge he hadn’t a breeze about and admits as much but then comes out with “I think he went for the ball, I may be right or I may be wrong”...or I may not have a f*cking clue about the question.

I was listening to Giles too.He was very poor.Hadnt a clue and making it up as he went along.

redbuck · 13-12-2018 11:38PM

sightband wrote: »

I’d imagine your 90% could be true but you’ve 100% missed my point.

Personally I don’t think Roy Keane was globally that well known or Sonia O’Sullivan for that matter.

If I was to hazard a guess I’d reckon Rory McIlroy is probably the most well known Irish athlete globally.

diusmr8a504cvk · 13-12-2018 11:53PM

Tell me how wrote: »

It has a strong claim to being the most popular sport in Limerick City. That could hardly be called elitist.

Tell me how wrote: »

I think it has a strong claim. I'm not saying that it is definitely ahead of the rest. But Limerick has a lot of Rugby clubs for it's size.

When you say soccer? Are you talking about local participation attendance at games or followers of EPL?

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Junior soccer in limerick is massive I would say second only to Dublin. NAP are the club hurling champions and Limerick are the current AI champions. I would put rugby behind both for participation and interest. Maybe someone from limerick could verify this.

Limerick man here.
Rugby is not the most popular sport in Limerick, nor can it have a strong claim to it.
I wouldn't even say Limerick has a lot of Rugby clubs for its size, there's three clubs which cover the entirety of West Limerick and patches of Kerry and a pocket of them in the city and that's about it.
Junior Soccer is king in Limerick.

CatFromHue · 14-12-2018 12:55AM

I think rugby can be compared to the NFL in America in that they're both watched a lot more than they're played.

Football and Gaelic Football are by the far the two most played, and popular, sports in Ireland.

When you look at the most watched shows in Ireland though rugby games regularly make the top 20.

Last year's top 20 watched on TV were

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applehunter · 14-12-2018 03:35AM

Brayan Chilly Shoplifter wrote: »

Limerick man here.
Rugby is not the most popular sport in Limerick, nor can it have a strong claim to it.
I wouldn't even say Limerick has a lot of Rugby clubs for its size, there's three clubs which cover the entirety of West Limerick and patches of Kerry and a pocket of them in the city and that's about it.
Junior Soccer is king in Limerick.

You forgot hurling.

Soccer may be strong at local club level but it has not established itself like a Cork City or a Sligo Rovers in terms of importance in the region.

yosser hughes · 14-12-2018 07:09AM

Christ! these digs and resentments about rugby and constantly trying to 'put it in its place' are really tiresome.
We get it, some of you, resent the coverage it gets, resent its supposed elitism and don't think it compares favourably in any way to GAA,Soccer etc. Oh and you're some kind of turncoat 'west Brit' if you happen to watch, play or enjoy it.

It's just sport at the end of the day, it probably shouldn't make you angry or 'depressed'!

sightband · 14-12-2018 07:51AM

yosser hughes wrote: »

It's just sport at the end of the day, it probably shouldn't make you angry or 'depressed'!

Yes, that’s exactly what I said, I said rugby made me depressed.

mugsymugsy · 14-12-2018 07:56AM

fire_man wrote: »

I was listening to Giles too.He was very poor.Hadnt a clue and making it up as he went along.

Thursday night 7.30 with John Giles....I switch stations. Honestly nice guy but he is simply a spoofer. Would prefer if they gave someone else the slot or just done away with it. It's currently lazy radio that fills a 30 min gap on a Thursday night each week.

OldMrBrennan83 · 14-12-2018 07:59AM

mugsymugsy wrote: »

Thursday night 7.30 with John Giles....I switch stations. Honestly nice guy but he is simply a spoofer. Would prefer if they gave someone else the slot or just done away with it. It's currently lazy radio that fills a 30 min gap on a Thursday night each week.

How do you sack that man though?

sightband · 14-12-2018 08:05AM

Patww79 wrote: »

How do you sack that man though?

In fairness, news talk and off the ball have a certain penchant for sacking people. I don’t think they would find it too hard but I hear what you’re saying. They’d sack Santa on Xmas eve if they had to.

yosser hughes · 14-12-2018 08:22AM

sightband wrote: »

Yes, that’s exactly what I said, I said rugby made me depressed.

I didn't say you did. You went to great lengths though; to explain where you see rugby in some kind of hierarchy of sports and lament that Johnny Sexton could be described as possibly our most well known sportsperson. That he might be ' depresses' you apparently. Oh the horror!
Maybe he is, maybe he is not. So bloody what!

Off The Ball Official Thread <Mod Note - Post #1, #533, #6651>

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