The Weekend On One With Brendan O'Connor

Brendan Bendar · 02-08-2020 4:22pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Damien O'Reilly has found his ideal niche if you ask me. He's good on Countrywide, but I wouldn't get the impression he's particularly passionate for farming. He was interviewing a really interesting farmer about biodiversity a couple of weeks back, and O'Reilly's boredom was nearly audible.

He's performing out of his skin on this programme. I like Brendan O'Connor but would much prefer to see O'Reilly in this slot. Very sharp, well prepared, and he has more of a voice for radio than O'Connor has.

Like to see him getting a few ‘harder issues’ and a bunch of motor mouths to facilitate.

For me the good thing is that he is ‘not from the journalist gene pool’ ie the
Main papers like Sarah and Brendan, bar maybe some farming journals maybe.

He had very poor content today- everyone gone away for the weekend probably, not his fault.

Seems to me he would not be prepared to give the lefty’s as much latitude and some others.

Time will tell, I suppose.

ShamNNspace · 02-08-2020 4:27pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Damien O'Reilly has found his ideal niche if you ask me. He's good on Countrywide, but I wouldn't get the impression he's particularly passionate for farming. He was interviewing a really interesting farmer about biodiversity a couple of weeks back, and O'Reilly's boredom was nearly audible.

He's performing out of his skin on this programme. I like Brendan O'Connor but would much prefer to see O'Reilly in this slot. Very sharp, well prepared, and he has more of a voice for radio than O'Connor has.

I think the best use of o Connors voice would be as an incentive to remove the patrons from various public houses when they reopen.. Perhaps he could make a recording to be played over the tannoy as part of phase 4 reopening or whatever it is

02-08-2020 4:33pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Like to see him getting a few ‘harder issues’ and a bunch of motor mouths to facilitate.

For me the good thing is that he is ‘not from the journalist gene pool’ ie the
Main papers like Sarah and Brendan, bar maybe some farming journals maybe.

I like this too. Difficult to imagine him palling around with the political correspondents, he's clearly not among the Oireachtas press-gallery set. In a country of our size, there's something uncomfortable about well known journalists being close friends with senior politicians.

Mav11 · 02-08-2020 7:28pm

Mossie1975 wrote: »

I find Damian’s voice easier to listen to (and I’m a fan of the Cork accent).

I also find Damian’s voice easier to listen to (and I HAVE a Cork accent)

Del.Monte · 02-08-2020 8:57pm

Have to agree with all those who think Damo's been doing a grand job - far better than BOC - and I'm another who can't take him on Lavhline. To be fair he was rubbish when he started on Countrywide but has really grown into it - as for his replacement on that show this week, Marty Morrissey, unlistenable to.

Nevin Parsnipp · 02-08-2020 9:56pm

ShamNNspace wrote: »

I think the best use of o Connors voice would be as an incentive to remove the patrons from various public houses when they reopen.. Perhaps he could make a recording to be played over the tannoy as part of phase 4 reopening or whatever it is

Yup ! A grating nasal monotone Cork accent would be ideal for that gig.

Reckon even a lad who was "over the gallon" would not be able to take more than five minutes of it ....

03-08-2020 12:04am

Del.Monte wrote: »

as for his replacement on that show this week, Marty Morrissey, unlistenable to.

What does Marty Morrissey know about farming? I'd happily listen to him chat all day about Munster hurling, but some of the gigs he gets in RTE are inexplicable.

I think some RTE bosses must view him as funny in an ironic sort of way, which is condescending both to Morrissey and the listener. Let him do what he's good at.

spakman · 03-08-2020 7:51am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

What does Marty Morrissey know about farming? I'd happily listen to him chat all day about Munster hurling, but some of the gigs he gets in RTE are inexplicable.

I think some RTE bosses must view him as funny in an ironic sort of way, which is condescending both to Morrissey and the listener. Let him do what he's good at.

They put very little thought into it.
They think Marty Morrissey = GAA = "down the country" = farming. Perfect fit!

Mad_maxx · 03-08-2020 7:19pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

What does Marty Morrissey know about farming? I'd happily listen to him chat all day about Munster hurling, but some of the gigs he gets in RTE are inexplicable.

I think some RTE bosses must view him as funny in an ironic sort of way, which is condescending both to Morrissey and the listener. Let him do what he's good at.

He presents that awful ploughing championship evening show every year with aine lawlor

03-08-2020 10:11pm

spakman wrote: »

They put very little thought into it.
They think Marty Morrissey = GAA = "down the country" = farming. Perfect fit!

I reckon you're spot on. There is no logical reason why Morrissey should be given a farming programme except for the vague reason that he knows his GAA and speaks with a Clare accent.

Philip Boucher Hayes is more qualified to take that slot — part time farmer, I believe.

Brendan Bendar · 03-08-2020 10:43pm

A lot of shade being thrown at Marty Morrissey here - undeserved in my opinion.

In my opinion Marty is perhaps the most versatile presenter in all RTE.

Now, that’s not saying he is best at everything, no way, but to be able to handle multiple subjects with competence, think on his feet, and present these subjects confidently without ‘strain’, I can’t think of anyone in RTE presenter team who can equal him.

Feel free to nominate anyone who you think can?

03-08-2020 11:32pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

A lot of shade being thrown at Marty Morrissey here - undeserved in my opinion.

In my opinion Marty is perhaps the most versatile presenter in all RTE.

Now, that’s not saying he is best at everything, no way, but to be able to handle multiple subjects with competence, think on his feet, and present these subjects confidently without ‘strain’, I can’t think of anyone in RTE presenter team who can equal him.

Feel free to nominate anyone who you think can?

Damien O'Reilly?
Miriam can throw her hand at anything, she'll be the boss of us someday (President).
Philip Boucher Hayes has done everything from Crimeline to Drivetime to Liveline, very dexterous broadcaster.
Just can't agree with you on this one, Chief. Did you hear Morrissey doing Countrywide on the weekend? Not great, I don't remember it having any farming content at all. Not good enough.

Brendan Bendar · 03-08-2020 11:43pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Damien O'Reilly?
Miriam can throw her hand at anything, she'll be the boss of us someday (President).
Philip Boucher Hayes has done everything from Crimeline to Drivetime to Liveline, very dexterous broadcaster.
Just can't agree with you on this one, Chief. Did you hear Morrissey doing Countrywide on the weekend? Not great, I don't remember it having any farming content at all. Not good enough.

Never heard Damian or Miriam broadcasting Gaelic Games

Boucher-Hayes for me comes across as an over smug individual who is ok in small doses

Miriam with the D4 accent “ Moi ghasts todai are” Couldn’t take that for too long.

Didn’t hear Marty on CW over the weekend but would suggest that content would be the producers call.

If Rte were a team I suggest Marty would be it’s most valuable and versatile player.?

PieOhMy · 03-08-2020 11:58pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Never heard Damian or Miriam broadcasting Gaelic Games

Boucher-Hayes for me comes across as an over smug individual who is ok in small doses

Miriam with the D4 accent “ Moi ghasts todai are” Couldn’t take that for too long.

Didn’t hear Marty on CW over the weekend but would suggest that content would be the producers call.

If Rte were a team I suggest Marty would be it’s most valuable and versatile player.?

His bread and butter is sport (gaa and boxing especially), can do light hearted shows like that one with bernard o shea, good filler on the afternoon show and elsewhere as required, maybe weak in the heavyweight stuff as I dont recall anything too serious ever apart from the ploughing. Hes very versatile in my opinion and generally well liked around the country, I know that's not part of the debate but I know my parents and most of their friends cannot stand Miriam. Graine seoige was fairly versatile actually tho no longer on our shores.

03-08-2020 11:59pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Never heard Damian or Miriam broadcasting Gaelic Games

And what? I never heard Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh presenting Countrywide, either, because he wouldn't know a bull from a steer. So he was never offered the gig.

An encyclopedic knowledge of GAA is no substitute for a basic knowledge of farming. This is not a controversial point.

Look, I am not an unreasonable man Brendan. If Morrissey wants to dance with the stars, or pursue some lifestyle shows, more luck to him. But I will begrudge him a farming slot where he contributes precisely nothing to the topic. There are plenty of up-and-coming agri guys capable of the job. Frank McNulty would be an obvious choice.

spakman · 04-08-2020 6:32am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Damien O'Reilly?
Miriam can throw her hand at anything, she'll be the boss of us someday (President).
Philip Boucher Hayes has done everything from Crimeline to Drivetime to Liveline, very dexterous broadcaster.
Just can't agree with you on this one, Chief. Did you hear Morrissey doing Countrywide on the weekend? Not great, I don't remember it having any farming content at all. Not good enough.

Miriam is an absolute dose with the ridiculous accent and faux-sincerity "Thank you sooooo much for coming in today".

Brendan Bendar · 04-08-2020 6:53am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

And what? I never heard Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh presenting Countrywide, either, because he wouldn't know a bull from a steer. So he was never offered the gig.

An encyclopedic knowledge of GAA is no substitute for a basic knowledge of farming. This is not a controversial point.

Look, I am not an unreasonable man Brendan. If Morrissey wants to dance with the stars, or pursue some lifestyle shows, more luck to him. But I will begrudge him a farming slot where he contributes precisely nothing to the topic. There are plenty of up-and-coming agri guys capable of the job. Frank McNulty would be an obvious choice.

Never heard of Frank McNulty, I’m afraid.

generalgerry · 04-08-2020 8:04am

I think it's important not to make the judgement on one weekend of Damien. He did a good job, but he has possibly been waiting a long time for this opportunity and this may not be the level of broadcast that he can do on a consistent basis. To use a farming proverb for him, one swallow does not a summer make.

04-08-2020 8:20am

generalgerry wrote: »

I think it's important not to make the judgement on one weekend of Damien. He did a good job, but he has possibly been waiting a long time for this opportunity and this may not be the level of broadcast that he can do on a consistent basis. To use a farming proverb for him, one swallow does not a summer make.

I see what you did there

Brendan Bendar · 04-08-2020 9:48am

generalgerry wrote: »

I think it's important not to make the judgement on one weekend of Damien. He did a good job, but he has possibly been waiting a long time for this opportunity and this may not be the level of broadcast that he can do on a consistent basis. To use a farming proverb for him, one swallow does not a summer make.

Correct Mr G...while he performed well,but let’s not spaff too early.

As I said before the content has been weak, what I do like about him is he seems more anxious to back up the establishment and challenge the media neckbeards who are inevitably on the populist magic mushroom side of things.

serfboard · 04-08-2020 2:11pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Have to agree with all those who think Damo's been doing a grand job - far better than BOC - and I'm another who can't take him on Lavhline.

Another in agreeement here. Don't like him on Liveline, think he's doing fairly well here.

Katie's doing very well on Liveline, IMO. And even though I like her on The Late Debate, I wish they'd give her the Liveline job full-time.

Radio5 · 04-08-2020 2:20pm

Damian O'Reilly writes for the Farmers' Journal- he grew up in Castleknock but of Cavan family and would have spent his summers on a farm and began in local radio in Cavan/Monaghan region. I don't think Marty adds anything when he's subbing on CW. Fran McNulty - who as far as I know is still the RTE Agri correspondent - might benefit from a stint on CW.

Kathryn Thomas is obviously busy on her holiday show so cover might be a bit thin around Montrose.

04-08-2020 2:22pm

serfboard wrote: »

Katie's doing very well on Liveline, IMO. And even though I like her on The Late Debate, I wish they'd give her the Liveline job full-time.

Lord, don’t let Noel Kelly hear you!

Brendan Bendar · 04-08-2020 5:37pm

serfboard wrote: »

Another in agreeement here. Don't like him on Liveline, think he's doing fairly well here.

Katie's doing very well on Liveline, IMO. And even though I like her on The Late Debate, I wish they'd give her the Liveline job full-time.

I think Katie on Liveline is debatable, I wouldn’t be a real fan and I would just give her a B+

Bit ‘scattered ‘ at times and tends to let the arguments get ahead of her.

Hasn’t stamped her persona on the show and would need ,in my opinion, to develop more authority take leave of people more cleanly, a fault Duffy has too.

Say goodbye , then cut the line,’ bang bang’not prattling on for the next minute or so about bye bye bye and saying nothing ,bye bye bye ,of interest to the ,bye ,take care, mind yourself ,listener.

04-08-2020 6:21pm

Radio5 wrote: »

Damian O'Reilly writes for the Farmers' Journal- he grew up in Castleknock but of Cavan family and would have spent his summers on a farm and began in local radio in Cavan/Monaghan region. I don't think Marty adds anything when he's subbing on CW. Fran McNulty - who as far as I know is still the RTE Agri correspondent - might benefit from a stint on CW.

McNulty is thé obvious choice for the programme. A midlands native, he knows his farming, and has a clear grasp on politics at Irish and European level.

Handing the programme over to Marty Morrissey and Brenda Donohue makes a mockery of Countrwide. They might as well have Derek Mooney running the show.

Anyway, it'll only be another couple of weeks till Damien returns, it's not the end of the world.

Cole · 08-08-2020 11:08am

Talk about flying out of the traps...not even a chance for Damien to introduce the guy. "Like something out of a zombie movie" in Kildare today...I don't think so.

EmptyTree · 08-08-2020 11:26am

Brian sounds like something out of Father Ted. At least Kingston is bringing at bit of logic and reason to the argument.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5 · 08-08-2020 11:28am

EmptyTree wrote: »

Brian sounds like something out of Father Ted. At least the immunologist is bringing at bit of logic and reason to the argument.

I only caught the end of Brian who is he? A publican? A Councillor? Both?

Cole · 08-08-2020 11:33am

EmptyTree wrote: »

Brian sounds like something out of Father Ted. At least Kingston is bringing at bit of logic and reason to the argument.

I think he made a couple of valid points (re. the meat plants, tough for businesses) but it all got a bit lost in the hysterical tirade...invoking Winston Churchill and zombies...pretty ironic and hilarious considering he's a PR and communications 'specialist'.

generalgerry · 08-08-2020 11:34am

Completely one sided discussion of Sweden as usual on RTE. No mention of the fact that they have three times the older population that we have i.e. the only group that this illness affects. Or the fact that they haven't burnt their economy to the ground in order to appease a virus that will still be waiting for everybody if/when the economy is ever allowed to start up again.

Nobody wants to present the Swedish solution as anything other than catastrophic, lest the finger of accusation be pointed at them for making a mess of their own solution.

Cole · 08-08-2020 11:37am

Edison Bewildered Maggot wrote: »

I only caught the end of Brian who is he? A publican? A Councillor? Both?

I had to Google him. I think he's the same Brian Purcell who was on The Apprentice on TV3...a PR guy. Damien didn't get a chance to tell us who he was...Boom! he just went for it.

Callan57 · 08-08-2020 11:38am

Edison Bewildered Maggot wrote: »

I only caught the end of Brian who is he? A publican? A Councillor? Both?

Channelling a Healy Rae :rolleyes:

Glad Brendan isn't in today or those of us not feeling depressed would be feeling guilty & wondering why we aren't depressed (no insult intended to those who suffer with depression)

Damien seems to have had some sort of transplant ... I used to find him so hard to take on the farming prog as for Liveline :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

0xzmro3n4y7lb5 · 08-08-2020 11:45am

Cole wrote: »

I had to Google him. I think he's the same Brian Purcell who was on The Apprentice on TV3...a PR guy. Damien didn't get a chance to tell us who he was...Boom! he just went for it.

I googled, yep it was him

Truthvader · 08-08-2020 11:55am

Edison Bewildered Maggot wrote: »

I only caught the end of Brian who is he? A publican? A Councillor? Both?

F*ckwit of the year. Maybe covid isn't necessarily a bad thing.

ShamNNspace · 08-08-2020 11:57am

generalgerry wrote: »

Completely one sided discussion of Sweden as usual on RTE. No mention of the fact that they have three times the older population that we have i.e. the only group that this illness affects. Or the fact that they haven't burnt their economy to the ground in order to appease a virus that will still be waiting for everybody if/when the economy is ever allowed to start up again.

Nobody wants to present the Swedish solution as anything other than catastrophic, lest the finger of accusation be pointed at them for making a mess of their own solution.

The relationship between politicians and journalists is far too cosy here imo. They don't seem very inquisitive by and large, just witness how many of said journos can hop into an advisor role as they are doing now not a bother on them

Cole · 08-08-2020 1:11pm

Truthvader wrote: »

F*ckwit of the year. Maybe covid isn't necessarily a bad thing.

https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/television/5291849/coronavirus-in-ireland-apprentice-star-brian-purcell-three-weeks-covid-19-hell/

You'd think he might have a bit more of a balanced take on everything around Covid19.

Cole · 08-08-2020 3:40pm

generalgerry wrote: »

No mention of the fact that they have three times the older population that we have i.e. the only group that this illness affects.

Really?

08-08-2020 4:51pm

generalgerry wrote: »

No mention of the fact that they have three times the older population that we have i.e. the only group that this illness affects.

Deluded, false.

Brendan Bendar · 08-08-2020 6:22pm

Truthvader wrote: »

F*ckwit of the year. Maybe covid isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Good call Tee.

Here’s how it works.

The Medical Guys , all qualified make a call on things

Some local hunchbacK (maybe called Brian) gets a chance to ‘ have a cut’ and big up his local profile.

Usually no logic to his diatribe, just a chance on national radio to sock it to the man, and be the bull goose in the area.

“JAysus, did ya hear Brian on the wireless , fuhherking gave it to those kernts in Dublin”

Meanwhile those who are actually in charge carry on with the fight , make the tough decisions to protect us all.

And that tosser gets his 15 mins.

That’s how it works.

Callan57 · 08-08-2020 6:29pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Good call Tee.

Here’s how it works.

The Medical Guys , all qualified make a call on things

Some local hunchbacK (maybe called Brian) gets a chance to ‘ have a cut’ and big up his local profile.

Usually no logic to his diatribe, just a chance on national radio to sock it to the man, and be the bull goose in the area.

“JAysus, did ya hear Brian on the wireless , fuhherking gave it to those kernts in Dublin”

Meanwhile those who are actually in charge carry on with the fight , make the tough decisions to protect us all.

And that tosser gets his 15 mins.

That’s how it works.

Perfectly summed up ... kudos

generalgerry · 09-08-2020 12:54am

Cole wrote: »

Really?

Everybody seems to be prepared to question what I've said including the mod above, but how many people do you know that have died from the illness? How many people do you know that have been seriously harmed by the illness?

90 people die every day in this country, COVID or no COVID, and we are burning our economy to the ground because an additional 1 person dies every other day. Why don't they report the 89 other people that die every die and give us the illnesses that they die from, so as to put the pandemic in context?

generalgerry · 09-08-2020 12:55am

On another note, I thought Damien was actually very good again today. I like this new feisty version of Damien,

Cole · 09-08-2020 10:03am

generalgerry wrote: »

...how many people do you know that have died from the illness?

I don't know any of the 1,772 people who died...thankfully.

generalgerry wrote: »

How many people do you know that have been seriously harmed by the illness?

I know 4 (30s-70s) of the 26,644 confirmed cases. I know 2 (30s + 70s) of the 3,364 who were hospitalised, with 1 (30s) being among the 438 admitted to ICU.

I didn't question anything other than your claim that the "older population" are the "only group that this illness affects" and thought you might be able to offer some evidence to support that claim. Based on the statistics provided by our public health experts of the breakdown of ages/those with underlying health conditions (I don't have the figures to hand) and my own anecdotal experience, it seems pretty indisputable that this virus affects more than just the older population.

Granted our older population are disproportionately affected (deaths), but I think the cautious measures being taken are worth it to try to protect their lives too.

EmmetSpiceland · 09-08-2020 10:09am

I, personally, know 2 people who have died from the virus. One old and one young.

Know another lad who was “laid low” with it for a couple of weeks. He said it was horrific and is still feeling the effects. This is a fairly healthy guy in his 40s.

yosser hughes · 09-08-2020 11:25am

Anyone know who is on the panel today?

Callan57 · 09-08-2020 11:47am

Micheál Martin like a "subtitute teacher"

:o

ShamNNspace · 09-08-2020 11:55am

No no no dont mention the nigerians for heavens sake

Infoanon · 09-08-2020 12:17pm

yosser hughes wrote: »

Anyone know who is on the panel today?

Anthony Staines
Mandy Johnston
Conor Pope

Good show - so much better than BOC

yosser hughes · 09-08-2020 12:32pm

Infoanon wrote: »

Anthony Staines
Mandy Johnston
Conor Pope

Good show - so much better than BOC

Thanks.
Not sure I'd agree with it being a good show though. The usual, either stating the obvious or misguided speculation.

Cole · 09-08-2020 12:38pm

Infoanon wrote: »

Good show - so much better than BOC

I found it a bit irritating when Anthony Staines was trying to outline his solutions for dealing with Covid19 and kept getting interrupted, so he never really got a good run at it...and then they could challenge him.

But I agree...so much better than BOC. I can only imagine his level of interruption.

The Weekend On One With Brendan O'Connor

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