Irish Independent jouno Conor George gets caught rapih' [MOD WARNING POST 36]

jamiedav2011 · 28-11-2012 07:22PM #1

So by now any regular readers of the rugby media will have seen Conor George.

Basically, he's a former Evening Echo correspondent, who is seemingly the replacement for Farrelly.

Since coming in about three weeks ago, this guy has spent his days bigging up Munster stars, giving out about the likes of Heaslip and Ross and basically writing a lot of hot air. Check this piece out for example.

Balls.ie seem to have caught him out with this, a tweet from earlier in the year:

http://www.balls.ie/rugby/a-twitter-lesson-for-aspiring-sports-journalists/#sthash.whWHpdJK.XRVyaXNd.dpbs

It all becomes a bit clearer now eh?

I'm posting this because I think there's a debate to be had here with regards to the Irish rugby media's impartiality as a whole. Writers like Hook, Thornley et al do influence opinion, yet as any avid rugby watcher will know, and there are many on this board, quite a lot of what they say is pure bluff.

With excellent blogs out there like Demented Mole, and knowledgeable posters out there across Leinsterfans, Munsterfans, here and elsewhere, isn't it time that this type of stuff was nipped in the bud?

Do you think that this guy and others should be influencing the opinion of less clued in rugby fans with their own biased pieces?

Swiwi · 28-11-2012 07:29PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

So by now any regular readers of the rugby media will have seen Conor George.

Basically, he's a former Evening Echo correspondent, who is seemingly the replacement for Farrelly.

Since coming in about three weeks ago, this guy has spent his days bigging up Munster stars, giving out about the likes of Heaslip and Ross and basically writing a lot of hot air. Check this piece out for example.

Balls.ie seem to have caught him out with this, a tweet from earlier in the year:

http://www.balls.ie/rugby/a-twitter-lesson-for-aspiring-sports-journalists/#sthash.whWHpdJK.XRVyaXNd.dpbs

It all becomes a bit clearer now eh?

I'm posting this because I think there's a debate to be had here with regards to the Irish rugby media's impartiality as a whole. Writers like Hook, Thornley et al do influence opinion, yet as any avid rugby watcher will know, and there are many on this board, quite a lot of what they say is pure bluff.

With excellent blogs out there like Demented Mole, and knowledgeable posters out there across Leinsterfans, Munsterfans, here and elsewhere, isn't it time that this type of stuff was nipped in the bud?

Do you think that this guy and others should be influencing the opinion of less clued in rugby fans with their own biased pieces?

Who is behind the Demented Mole? - quite like reading it TBH.

Many rugby journalists never played the game to any great level themselves, you can usually sort out the chaff from the wheat after you read 1 or 2 of their articles.

irishbucsfan · 28-11-2012 07:32PM

Did Conor George ever play? At any level?

jamiedav2011 · 28-11-2012 07:38PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Did Conor George ever play? At any level?

I would presume not, and it seems that he's been called up for his brand of 'journalism' before:

[Link removed by poster]

irishbucsfan · 28-11-2012 07:39PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

I would presume not, and it seems that he's been called up for his brand of 'journalism' before:

<snip>

Yes I've enjoyed his articles for the examiner. Never thought I'd be able to get a chuckle out of him on a national level!

PS, pretty sure you won't get away with linkin to that, you might want to remove it.

Teferi · 28-11-2012 07:42PM

Swiwi wrote: »

Who is behind the Demented Mole? - quite like reading it TBH.

I would also like to know this.

jamiedav2011 · 28-11-2012 07:43PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yes I've enjoyed his articles for the examiner. Never thought I'd be able to get a chuckle out of him on a national level!

PS, pretty sure you won't get away with linkin to that, you might want to remove it.

You're right actually, think there's something about posting links to other forums?

Removed anyway if you want to edit your comment.

Here's another of his gems:
http://www.eveningecho.ie/2012/10/18/new-boy-kilcoyne-playing-like-a-veteran/

I seem to have a fairly different memory of who caused who 'plenty of problems at scrum time.' in the last Aviva game.

Guy is a clown.

GerM · 28-11-2012 07:44PM

Swiwi wrote: »

Who is behind the Demented Mole? - quite like reading it TBH.

One of the regulars over on LF.

I have to say (and yes, I am hugely biased) that, whilst that site has its fair share of manic, one eyed lunatics who spout bile, it also possesses several posters who are extremely insightful and articulate; probably the best posters I've found on any single Irish rugby forum. A few of the posters have rugby blogs or write on sites which are great reads. Unfortunately, the good gets lost amidst the hyperbole.

Tox56 · 28-11-2012 07:51PM

Swiwi wrote: »

Who is behind the Demented Mole? - quite like reading it TBH.

Many rugby journalists never played the game to any great level themselves, you can usually sort out the chaff from the wheat after you read 1 or 2 of their articles.

+1 on that, his article on centres that came up again earlier today is better and more informative than any rugby article I've read in a national newspaper for a long long time.

Grimebox · 28-11-2012 07:51PM

GerM wrote: »

One of the regulars over on LF.

I have to say (and yes, I am hugely biased) that, whilst that site has its fair share of manic, one eyed lunatics who spout bile, it also possesses several posters who are extremely insightful and articulate; probably the best posters I've found on any single Irish rugby forum. A few of the posters have rugby blogs or write on sites which are great reads. Unfortunately, the good gets lost amidst the hyperbole.

LF?

I completely avoid mainstream media outlets when it comes to opinion pieces on sport. Only to get squad announcements would I bother. Its the journalists aim to rile people up, get them talking about the article and get more traffic onto the site. I only read the odd article posted by you lot, even still I don't take any of it on board. I get most of opinions from this forum and http://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/

And just as I say this, I come across an article that perfectly backs up my point. Check out this lad. What complete and utter rubbish: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/scottharris/100067324/andrew-hore-shouldnt-be-banned-he-should-face-criminal-charges/

GerM · 28-11-2012 07:52PM

Grimebox wrote: »

LF?

Leinsterfans.

Swiwi · 28-11-2012 07:53PM

GerM wrote: »

One of the regulars over on LF.

I have to say (and yes, I am hugely biased) that, whilst that site has its fair share of manic, one eyed lunatics who spout bile, it also possesses several posters who are extremely insightful and articulate; probably the best posters I've found on any single Irish rugby forum. A few of the posters have rugby blogs or write on sites which are great reads. Unfortunately, the good gets lost amidst the hyperbole.

Well the DM is knowledgeable, impartial, technically astute and writes well, so I certainly check it out from time to time.

jamiedav2011 · 28-11-2012 08:02PM

Fanning and Peter O'Reilly are the only two that I find in any way coherent, and then you've got the likes of Sheahan who merely want to push their own agenda.

The stuff that Thornley comes out with at times is infuriating also, you'd wonder does he actually believe his own crock of ****e.

Actually the Off THe Ball rugby piece should be starting around now, if you have time just listen to the love in it will surely be, if Thornley and Wood are on.

goreyguy · 28-11-2012 08:21PM

Wood has been fine, told Gerry he was getting ahead of himself with all the extension talk.

Phonehead · 28-11-2012 08:25PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Fanning and Peter O'Reilly are the only two that I find in any way coherent, and then you've got the likes of Sheahan who merely want to push their own agenda.

The stuff that Thornley comes out with at times is infuriating also, you'd wonder does he actually believe his own crock of ****e.

Actually the Off THe Ball rugby piece should be starting around now, if you have time just listen to the love in it will surely be, if Thornley and Wood are on.

In general Thornley has turned me off listening to that segment of the show, IMO Wood also needs to call a spade a spade! you can hear that he is holding back and is being BBConservative.

clsmooth · 28-11-2012 08:35PM

Swiwi wrote: »

Who is behind the Demented Mole? - quite like reading it

I'm pretty sure its Frankie Sheehan

Swiwi · 28-11-2012 08:44PM

clsmooth wrote: »

I'm pretty sure its Frankie Sheehan

I doubt Frankie is a member of LFs, unless GerM has impeccable sources

I thought Cobus Visagie was excellent with his 4N column for Planetrugby, Paul Cully for SMH is good, and the English journos all have their moments.

Much as it pains me to say it, NZ journalism is so syncophantic & jingoistic that no one journalist stands out when it comes to reasoned impartial columns. Some are quite amusing, like Phil Gifford, but he's certainly not neutral in his comments.

CatFromHue · 28-11-2012 08:52PM

buck65 · 28-11-2012 08:58PM

Had to laugh at the "needless sinbinning" comments about Heaslip, he was sinbinned for continued infringements, whoever transgessed were getting binned, harshly as SA had conceded endless pens and escaped cards except JPP hit on CHenry.
This guy is a f ing joke and the Indo is and always was a rag.

durkadurka · 28-11-2012 09:00PM

I think he's the worst journalist I have ever encountered.

Quint2010 · 28-11-2012 09:04PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

His Twitter history is fairly interesting.....why didn't he delete the whole lot when he started working for a national paper?

He doesn't like George Hook
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/232499630825410561
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/246670277554077696

He isn't too keen on RTE
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/246667611478302720

Some views on Heaslip
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/207442142904336384
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/213203554276605952

Dublin
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/188232101190045696
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/226992531370541056

His neighbour
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/234374434843140096

As chairman of the "I've been blocked by Conor George and I'm proud" fan club, what does each tweet say?..

Phonehead · 28-11-2012 09:05PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

His Twitter history is fairly interesting.....why didn't he delete the whole lot when he started working for a national paper?

He doesn't like George Hook
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/232499630825410561
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/246670277554077696

He isn't too keen on RTE
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/246667611478302720

Some views on Heaslip
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/207442142904336384
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/213203554276605952

Dublin
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/188232101190045696
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/226992531370541056

His neighbour
https://twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/234374434843140096

"hook an annoying irrelevance"

Oh the irony

jamiedav2011 · 28-11-2012 09:09PM

How the hell does a guy as obviously clueless as this get promoted to a national newspaper though?

Is the Indo that bad of a rag?

Surely there must be better journalists out there than this clown?

totallegend · 28-11-2012 09:11PM

Well he's certainly redressing the pro-Leinster bias in the indo anyway.

Awful "journalist"

GerM · 28-11-2012 09:12PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

How the hell does a guy as obviously clueless as this get promoted to a national newspaper though?

Is the Indo that bad of a rag?

Surely there must be better journalists out there than this clown?

The same reason George Hook is paid by RTE. The same reason Hugh Farrelly was a rugby journalist. They can articulate a point semi coherently and stir up debate. When people go to the website or buy the paper, the article of their most detested journalist is the one they look for. It's sensationalism and will always be central to coverage.

thomond2006 · 28-11-2012 09:14PM

Conor George wrote:

Some remain bullet proof under DK.

...and now look at the ****e he's writing for the Indo.

Dear lord...

armchaircoach · 28-11-2012 09:14PM

https://mobile.twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/196633958388219904

Apparently ignoring the fact that Munster have the most S.A. players is a requirement for writing for the indo.

durkadurka · 28-11-2012 09:14PM

It's funny really. People like to be outraged.

Swiwi · 28-11-2012 09:15PM

GerM wrote: »

The same reason George Hook is paid by RTE. The same reason Hugh Farrelly was a rugby journalist. They can articulate a point semi coherently and stir up debate. When people go to the website or buy the paper, the article of their most detested journalist is the one they look for. It's sensationalism and will always be central to coverage.

Spot on. No-one takes Stephen Jones or Chris Rattue seriously, but I bet their columns are some of the most read in the UK & NZ respectively.

CatFromHue · 28-11-2012 09:17PM

MANNIX: MUNSTER PLAYERS DEDICATED ABOUT EVERYTHING
http://www.eveningecho.ie/2012/10/12/mannix-munster-players-dedicated-about-everything/

article-1326196173340-021E3F97000004B0-358038_568x386.jpg&sa=X&ei=5362UM3bCdGDhQf2_oHYDg&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH0W7HOCDmgPJ9ifwef8KTlZw8prw

article-1326196173340-021E3F97000004B0-358038_568x386.jpg&sa=X&ei=5362UM3bCdGDhQf2_oHYDg&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH0W7HOCDmgPJ9ifwef8KTlZw8prw

Brilliant!

(The Fast Show anyone?)

Tox56 · 28-11-2012 09:18PM

armchaircoach wrote: »

https://mobile.twitter.com/conoreligeorge/status/196633958388219904

Apparently ignoring the fact that Munster have the most S.A. players is a requirement for writing for the indo.

How many people can you offend in one tweet??

Irish Independent jouno Conor George gets caught rapih' [MOD WARNING POST 36]

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