GAA Commentators

TheRiverman · 30-06-2019 10:46pm

Kevin McStay is an excellent pundit.

tommyled1984 · 30-06-2019 10:57pm

TheRiverman wrote: »

Kevin McStay is an excellent pundit.

I can't stand Mcstay... He just loves the sound of his own voice and butts in on other commentators to have his say. Maybe he makes fair points but for years I just tune off or make myself tea when he talks. I don't really have a valid reason for disliking him.

TheRiverman · 30-06-2019 11:02pm

tommyled1984 wrote: »

I can't stand Mcstay... He just loves the sound of his own voice and butts in on other commentators to have his say. Maybe he makes fair points but for years I just tune off or make myself tea when he talks. I don't really have a valid reason for disliking him.

He speaks properly,none of the "looked I suppose"slaughtering of the English language.

seligehgit · 30-06-2019 11:09pm

TheRiverman wrote: »

He speaks properly,none of the "looked I suppose"slaughtering of the English language.

Totally agree,he's an excellent analyst.

TBF I totally understand that in life there are people who by nature we are inclined/disinclined to warm to.

PARlance · 30-06-2019 11:14pm

TheRiverman wrote: »

Darragh Maloney is by far the best commentator right now."The target"Canning has always been dreadful.Marty Morrissey is ok if he toned down some of the banality,himself and John Mullane on radio commentary is some event.Paraic Lodge is very good on radio.I haven't heard Martin Carney so far this year,is he gone ?

Martin was on MidWest Radio yesterday and he was nearly gone in added time. He was another poor kickout away from a heart attack.

He's very good on radio, no malice in him at all.

seligehgit · 30-06-2019 11:16pm

threeball wrote: »

We now have Marty on trying to convince everyone the Jamar Hall is in fact called Jamer Hall. What a dose.

Marty managed to erroneously mention that the Coen cousins were in fact brothers.

megadodge · 30-06-2019 11:20pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

I suppose its all in the ear of the beholder. All have different styles and none of them will ever be as good as Ó Mhuirceartaigh or Hehir or Mick Dunne.

No problem with the first two legends, but nice man and all as he was Mick Dunne was a terrible commentator. His monotone drone was just awful to listen to.

seligehgit · 30-06-2019 11:22pm

threeball wrote: »

We now have Marty on trying to convince everyone the Jamar Hall is in fact called Jamer Hall. What a dose.

PARlance wrote: »

Martin was on MidWest Radio yesterday and he was nearly gone in added time. He was another poor kickout away from a heart attack.

He's very good on radio, no malice in him at all.

Martin with all his pro Mayo bias gave me one of my favourite moments of radio commentary at the death of Mayo Kerry semi final game in 2017 accompanying Michael D Mc Andrew.

"Get back!":D

50HX · 30-06-2019 11:24pm

TheRiverman wrote: »

He speaks properly,none of the "looked I suppose"slaughtering of the English language.

"But shure look"

""Yeah.....tough like "d'ya know"

"Un believable like"

TheRiverman · 30-06-2019 11:28pm

Laois and Meath cannot be drawn against each other in tomorrow mornings draw.

megadodge · 30-06-2019 11:29pm

BloodyBill wrote: »

Morrissey is a disaster and shouldn't be let near a microphone outside of a Bingo hall. Canning is fine,professional and a broad spectrum of people can listen to him. He has no GAA background, hes from Montenotte in Cork city

Canning is so unprofessional I genuinely cannot understand how he still has a job. Thirty plus years after accidentally falling into the position as a last minute sub for the magnificant Micheál O'Heihir, he STILL doesn't know the basic rules of the games he commentates on.

And that's because he has no GAA gackground! It's very obvious he has absolutely no passion for the job. Get rid of him!

Hockney · 30-06-2019 11:30pm

BloodyBill wrote: »

Canning is fine,professional and a broad spectrum of people can listen to him. He has no GAA background, hes from Montenotte in Cork city

Canning is an absolute dinosaur, and is inexplicably given the All-Ireland finals year after year. Maloney absolutely miles ahead of him. He's spent the last decade or so trying (and failing) to stay relevant by referring to players by their nicknames as if he's down with the kids.

"The man they call Star" etc etc

Again yesterday he rambling on about John O'Dwyer's nickname being Bubbles (or "Bobbles" if you're Canning). No **** Ger.

His accent is grating, he continuously gets player names wrong, gets ahead of himself by calling points or wides when he hasn't a clue whether they're either, then has to backtrack.

If he was in any other organisation he'd be out on his ear years ago. He'll no doubt get the football All-Ireland again this year, which tells you everything you need to know about RTE.

MattressRick · 30-06-2019 11:32pm

I've never understood the fascination with Micheal o hehir. I know when people only had radio he was all they had, but when you watch old all Ireland finals with his commentary, he doesn't commentate on half the goings on. Very overrated.

O murahochtaigh was becoming a bit of a caricature of himself towards the end, kinda full of **** at times with the stories. I'd take them with a pinch of salt and wouldn't believe half of them!

Darragh moloney is the only good proper commentator in rte. Marty Morrissey is a joke, his prepared monologues I think ruined the most recent 2 all Ireland hurling finals at the end. Marty trying to make everyone emotional with a load of guff but hasn't the skill to make it sound off the cuff, he's an amateur.
I'd take ger Cannings bored polished tones over Marty Morrissey every day of the week. All in all, rte should pay Darragh moloney double to commentate on everything!

megadodge · 30-06-2019 11:36pm

And worst of all about Canning is his utterly dreadful, clipped, artificial accent.

'Last' is not pronounced 'lost' Ger. Nor is there such a word as 'awfter'.

seligehgit · 30-06-2019 11:36pm

MattressRick wrote: »

I've never understood the fascination with Micheal o hehir. I know when people only had radio he was all they had, but when you watch old all Ireland finals with his commentary, he doesn't commentate on half the goings on. Very overrated.

O murahochtaigh was becoming a bit of a caricature of himself towards the end, kinda full of **** at times with the stories. I'd take them with a pinch of salt and wouldn't believe half of them!

Darragh moloney is the only good proper commentator in rte. Marty Morrissey is a joke, his prepared monologues I think ruined the most recent 2 all Ireland hurling finals at the end. Marty trying to make everyone emotional with a load of guff but hasn't the skill to make it sound off the cuff, he's an amateur.
I'd take ger Cannings bored polished tones over Marty Morrissey every day of the week. All in all, rte should pay Darragh moloney double to commentate on everything!

Totally agree.

Darragh Moloney is by a country mile the best commentator available.

Quite enjoy Pauric Lodge on the wireless.

TheRiverman · 30-06-2019 11:51pm

MattressRick wrote: »

I've never understood the fascination with Micheal o hehir. I know when people only had radio he was all they had, but when you watch old all Ireland finals with his commentary, he doesn't commentate on half the goings on. Very overrated.

O murahochtaigh was becoming a bit of a caricature of himself towards the end, kinda full of **** at times with the stories. I'd take them with a pinch of salt and wouldn't believe half of them!

Darragh moloney is the only good proper commentator in rte. Marty Morrissey is a joke, his prepared monologues I think ruined the most recent 2 all Ireland hurling finals at the end. Marty trying to make everyone emotional with a load of guff but hasn't the skill to make it sound off the cuff, he's an amateur.
I'd take ger Cannings bored polished tones over Marty Morrissey every day of the week. All in all, rte should pay Darragh moloney double to commentate on everything!

I think those of us discussing the commentators here agree that Darragh Maloney is the best by a long way,as regards Marty Morrisey and Ger Canning,I prefer to listen to Marty.I just think Canning has always been dreadful.Thats my view,but other people have their opinions,thats debate and argument working.

kala85 · 30-06-2019 11:51pm

Thought Brian carroll was poor in the commentary on the leinster final today.. Poor analysis and described situations incorrectly.

Love Tommy Walsh. Mighty passion and good analysis of the game.

TheRiverman · 01-07-2019 12:05am

MattressRick wrote: »

I've never understood the fascination with Micheal o hehir. I know when people only had radio he was all they had, but when you watch old all Ireland finals with his commentary, he doesn't commentate on half the goings on. Very overrated.

O murahochtaigh was becoming a bit of a caricature of himself towards the end, kinda full of **** at times with the stories. I'd take them with a pinch of salt and wouldn't believe half of them!

Darragh moloney is the only good proper commentator in rte. Marty Morrissey is a joke, his prepared monologues I think ruined the most recent 2 all Ireland hurling finals at the end. Marty trying to make everyone emotional with a load of guff but hasn't the skill to make it sound off the cuff, he's an amateur.
I'd take ger Cannings bored polished tones over Marty Morrissey every day of the week. All in all, rte should pay Darragh moloney double to commentate on everything!

O'Hehir was a much better on radio.I think he thought that when we could see the pictures on tv he didnt have to bother.I think his greatest commentating moment was Foinavon in the 1967 Aintree Grand National .

tommyled1984 · 01-07-2019 12:29am

TheRiverman wrote: »

He speaks properly,none of the "looked I suppose"slaughtering of the English language.

Ive heard mcstay say that exact quote numerous times "looked I suppose" during analysis...Im sure most GAA fans would get over the odd grammar mistake.

Anyway I'm not saying Mcstay is a bad pundit. I dislike him because he often butts in on other pundits while they're giving their analysis.

Bonniedog · 01-07-2019 12:59am

Sure look it, 'twas unreal.

Bring back Cyril Farrell and his suits that looked like 1970s wallpaper :-)

Tell me how · 01-07-2019 10:36am

Bonniedog wrote: »

Sure look it, 'twas unreal.

Bring back Cyril Farrell and his suits that looked like 1970s wallpaper :-)

One of his suits was there yesterday. Was Dónal Óg wearing it though.

threeball · 01-07-2019 5:19pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

Sure look it, 'twas unreal.

Bring back Cyril Farrell and his suits that looked like 1970s wallpaper :-)

Did Cyril pack it in or was he pushed?

Boom__Boom · 01-07-2019 8:00pm

PARlance wrote: »

Martin was on MidWest Radio yesterday and he was nearly gone in added time. He was another poor kickout away from a heart attack.

He's very good on radio, no malice in him at all.

Coillte_Bhoy · 01-07-2019 8:06pm

In fairness i think O'Hehir is remembered for his radio commentary. As a kid i vaguely remember every Sunday listening to him, and if you were at the beach or somewhere like that you would see loads of men and kids standing around a car listening to the radio on a Sunday afternoon, hanging on his every word

Zeek12 · 01-07-2019 8:08pm

seligehgit wrote: »

Totally agree.

Darragh Moloney is by a country mile the best commentator available.

Quite enjoy Pauric Lodge on the wireless.

Mike Finnerty at Sky (and formerly TV3, amongst others) is about the best on TV imo.

Would far prefer him to most of the grating and irritating guys at RTE.

+1 for Mr. Lodge. He's very listenable too.

Bob Harris · 01-07-2019 8:18pm

Canning is ok if only he'd stop saying the word 'dayboo' 3 or 4 times every match.

Tell me how · 01-07-2019 8:20pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

In fairness i think O'Hehir is remembered for his radio commentary. As a kid i vaguely remember every Sunday listening to him, and if you were at the beach or somewhere like that you would see loads of men and kids standing around a car listening to the radio on a Sunday afternoon, hanging on his every word

There's probably also an element that he was the only one who people heard commentating at that time and so a generation grew up listening to him without their parents or grandparents saying how good someone else was that came before him.

That nostalgic sense of their childhood led to many people still talking about him (I think) even when Micheal O'Mhuircheartaigh and Ger Canning and the likes came on the scene.

Zeek12 · 01-07-2019 8:33pm

Bob Harris wrote: »

Canning is ok if only he'd stop saying the word 'dayboo' 3 or 4 times every match.

Another of his annoying habits.

If things suddenly get exciting during the last 5 minutes, he shouts....
"SOME MATCH" !!

Ah Ger, were you not watching for the last hour?
It was a snoozefest :rolleyes:

WesternZulu · 01-07-2019 9:13pm

Zeek12 wrote: »

Mike Finnerty at Sky (and formerly TV3, amongst others) is about the best on TV imo.

He used to be on Mid West Radio. The man can work a cliche into anything!
He's not great to be fair and isn't a patch on Darragh Maloney or the guy from Eir whose name I can't remember.

seligehgit · 01-07-2019 9:29pm

WesternZulu wrote: »

He used to be on Mid West Radio. The man can work a cliche into anything!
He's not great to be fair and isn't a patch on Darragh Maloney or the guy from Eir whose name I can't remember.

Dave Mc Intyre?

mikeymouse · 01-07-2019 9:31pm

This is the new up and coming RTE commentator;
Lovely D4 accent.
A lovely turn of phrase.
A master of saying nothing , but lets the action speak for itself.

threeball · 01-07-2019 9:32pm

seligehgit wrote: »

Dave Mc Intyre?

McIntyre isn't bad. At least he knows the game.

C__MC · 01-07-2019 10:00pm

I enjoy Gary mac donnacha

The English language gets battered on the Sunday game

Ruben Remus · 02-07-2019 12:33pm

Zeek12 wrote: »

Mike Finnerty at Sky (and formerly TV3, amongst others) is about the best on TV imo.

I second this. Very natural commentary, and he knows his stuff.

Rasputin11 · 02-07-2019 1:27pm

What's the going rate for a pundit for a night on The Sunday Game? I've heard between 1000 and 1500. Would RTE be obliged to reveal the figures if I enquired?

Pineapple1 · 02-07-2019 2:07pm

Hockney wrote:

Again yesterday he rambling on about John O'Dwyer's nickname being Bubbles (or "Bobbles" if you're Canning). No **** Ger.

Hockney wrote:

Canning is an absolute dinosaur, and is inexplicably given the All-Ireland finals year after year. Maloney absolutely miles ahead of him. He's spent the last decade or so trying (and failing) to stay relevant by referring to players by their nicknames as if he's down with the kids.

Also starts to cream himself in the last 10 mins of an All Ireland Final when it's looking like Dublin are going to win. No problem if he's a Dub supporter personally, but it's very grating listening to him sounding like he's on honeymoon every time of them gets a point or god forbid a goal. Ok we get it you want Dublin to win. You would never get that with Martin Carney on RTE when Mayo are playing. Now when he's on Mid West though that's a different kettle of fish...

Pineapple1 · 02-07-2019 2:18pm

Bonniedog wrote:

Sounds like a Compton rapper

Bonniedog wrote:

What sort of monster calls their boy Jamar?

I believe his father is African American, came over from the states to coach basketball.

LoughNeagh2017 · 02-07-2019 2:29pm

I noticed Tomas O'Se got his words mixed up, "He should never have went for that ball what at all", he meant to say whatsoever.

My favourite commentator is Jimmy Smyth who did BBC and UTV games years ago, I actually witnessed a live commentary from him during a charity game, he commentated through a megaphone.

I don't like the new BBC commentator, he is from my local area, his accent annoys me, a country boy trying to be a well spoken Belfast person.

Dots1982 · 14-07-2019 7:06pm

I don’t listen to GAA commentators mostly but have to say Oisin Mcconville was bad today. Was so disconnected from the flow of the game. Didn’t catch on at all that this was a statement performance from Kerry. Called it “Championship-lite” and criticized Kerry for not pushing on like Dublin would. They were 10 points up at the time.

Spillane and Mcstay got the tone right in the studio.

technocrat · 14-07-2019 7:24pm

Dots1982 wrote: »

I don’t listen to GAA commentators mostly but have to say Oisin Mcconville was bad today. Was so disconnected from the flow of the game. Didn’t catch on at all that this was a statement performance from Kerry. Called it “Championship-lite” and criticized Kerry for not pushing on like Dublin would. They were 10 points up at the time.

Spillane and Mcstay got the tone right in the studio.

The main commentator Darragh Maloney is the best RTÉ have.
Canning & Morrissey are beyond brutal full of cliched statements !

Donnielighto · 14-07-2019 7:30pm

Early..... The pain

Coillte_Bhoy · 17-07-2019 1:51pm

Dots1982 wrote: »

I don’t listen to GAA commentators mostly but have to say Oisin Mcconville was bad today. Was so disconnected from the flow of the game. Didn’t catch on at all that this was a statement performance from Kerry. Called it “Championship-lite” and criticized Kerry for not pushing on like Dublin would. They were 10 points up at the time.

Spillane and Mcstay got the tone right in the studio.

Ya he's poor on match commentary but saw him a couple of times doing studio analysis on BBC and thought he was quite good, he has a grating accent though

slegs · 17-07-2019 2:14pm

Marty said at start of Cork Kilkenny match that it was first knock out game of year for both. Stupid thing to say anyway but even more so when it was untrue with Cork playing Westmeath week before

liatroimabu · 18-07-2019 12:02am

Dots1982 wrote: »

I don’t listen to GAA commentators mostly but have to say Oisin Mcconville was bad today. Was so disconnected from the flow of the game. Didn’t catch on at all that this was a statement performance from Kerry. Called it “Championship-lite” and criticized Kerry for not pushing on like Dublin would. They were 10 points up at the time.

Spillane and Mcstay got the tone right in the studio.

Yeah was surprised with how poor he was as a co-commentator because have to say I really enjoy his analysis as an in studio pundit on the BBC Ulster championship coverage.

Hurling Hereford · 19-07-2019 8:35pm

shrewdness wrote: »

I don't think it's necessary to have a pocket full of Celtic crosses to warrant being either a commentator or pundit. But by God you have to be fit for the job, Dessie is as bland and inoffensive as you'll get. Rarely says anything of note and certainly doesn't offer much insight.

Having said that, I'd certainly take him over Martin "very much so" Carney. Maybe Dolan will improve with time.

Martin Carney is a complete disaster. All he's good for is 'kissing' Dublin footballers' ar$e$

blanch152 · 21-07-2019 12:40am

Hurling Hereford wrote: »

Martin Carney is a complete disaster. All he's good for is 'kissing' Dublin footballers' ar$e$

Martin Carney??????

Wasn't he the guy who cried on tv when Dublin beat Mayo? He hates the Dubs.

Coillte_Bhoy · 21-07-2019 12:47am

Cant mind his name now but the commentator in the Cork Tyrone game, usually decent but he's becoming obsessed with possession stats. Meaningless drivel generally, considering how the game has become so possession based

seligehgit · 21-07-2019 7:48am

blanch152 wrote: »

Martin Carney??????

Wasn't he the guy who cried on tv when Dublin beat Mayo? He hates the Dubs.

I agree he's not the best co commentator but that statement is simply untrue.

Redsoxfan · 21-07-2019 10:13am

seligehgit wrote:

I agree he's not the best co commentator but that statement is simply untrue.

It has to be said, no malice in it.

LuasSimon · 21-07-2019 10:21am

Ger Canning sounds so unnatural and false he’d put anyone to sleep !

GAA Commentators

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