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

Skid · 03-11-2012 2:24am

Harry Angstrom wrote: »

Ken Early is the reason I listen. The show would be nothing without him.

He really divides opinion. Personally, I can't hit the off button soon enough when he comes on.

nicebutdim · 03-11-2012 12:18pm

Temaz wrote: »

I gave up on the show for good recently due to Early's waffling and smugness.

Strikes me as someone who thinks he's too good for the show. The Ken Burley bull**** was cringe inducing. And he is a ringer for Wurzel Gummidge

Imhof Tank · 03-11-2012 9:01pm

nicebutdim wrote: »

Strikes me as someone who thinks he's too good for the show. The Ken Burley bull**** was cringe inducing.

Not at all.

He knows if this show ever folded he'd never get another job in radio (or on TV given his appearance).

armchair fusilier · 03-11-2012 10:59pm

Harry Angstrom wrote: »

Ken Early is the reason I listen. The show would be nothing without him.

+1. If Ken wasn't on it, I wouldn't listen to it.

Skid wrote: »

He really divides opinion. Personally, I can't hit the off button soon enough when he comes on.

Nearly everyone in the public eye divides opinion. The Football Show's podcast has been one of the most downloaded podcasts in the country for years. That's down to Ken. He does have a following.

Imhof Tank wrote: »

He knows if this show ever folded he'd never get another job in radio (or on TV given his appearance).

I've seen him on Setanta with McDevitt and other than his...eh...hairstyle he's perfectly normal looking. The couple of times he presented Culture Shock he did a much better job of it than Fionn Davenport does. And I'm sure he could produce a far better left of field weekly football show for RTE than Fiona Looney's Ballbusters. He writes a really good column for the Irish Examiner every Monday, that's probably the direction his career will ultimately take. Murph is the one who would fall off the media radar if OTB ended.

Aidric · 04-11-2012 9:58am

nicebutdim wrote: »

And he is a ringer for Wurzel Gummidge

Imhof Tank wrote: »

He knows if this show ever folded he'd never get another job in radio (or on TV given his appearance).

Your critical analysis of a radio host amounts to commentary on his appearance? Really??

FearDark · 04-11-2012 10:05am

nicebutdim wrote: »

Strikes me as someone who thinks he's too good for the show. The Ken Burley bull**** was cringe inducing. And he is a ringer for Wurzel Gummidge

Serious? You're talking about a radio presenters appearance? Wow.

And, the Ken Burley segments were hilarious... I feel they should sign that guy up for a regular slot.

notahappycamper · 04-11-2012 10:27am

Temaz wrote: »

Had to stop listening due to Ken Earley, the guy is a know it all tosser.

Agreed, and I grew up with him! He was never into football so I would love to know when his interest in the game started. A gang of us would always have a kick about on the green at the top of the road and all he would do would "toe bog" the ball!!

Skid · 04-11-2012 2:56pm

armchair fusilier wrote: »

Nearly everyone in the public eye divides opinion.

No. Not to the same degree. Read the comments in this thread -few presenters polarise opinion so much. You don't hear many people saying 'Ken Early? - he's alright, I can take him or leave him'

Temaz · 04-11-2012 3:58pm

I'll never go back to OTB while he is on it.

JonathanAnon · 04-11-2012 4:11pm

notahappycamper wrote: »

Agreed, and I grew up with him! He was never into football so I would love to know when his interest in the game started.

I see Ken as more of a colour presenter... He doesnt possess a huge sporting intellect, but he's entertaining. I love the way they read out all the texts taking the complete p1ss out of him, loved the Ken Burley stuff too, and the way they repeat the question he asked Keano to p1ss him off... The show is genuinely funny, not like RTE where Des Cahill saying "well a Cork lad would be in trouble with the missus if he wore a Kerry jersey" passes as humour..

armchair fusilier · 04-11-2012 4:18pm

Skid wrote: »

No. Not to the same degree. Read the comments in this thread -few presenters polarise opinion so much. You don't hear many people saying 'Ken Early? - he's alright, I can take him or leave him'

I'd agree that in this thread that he has provoked stronger reactions than say... McDevitt or Murph, but I don't think you can then extrapolate it out to conclude that the opinion is as divided in the 40,000+ people who regularly listen to the show. People are much more inclined to be bothered to post about someone if they don't like them, less so if they like them and hardly ever if they just think they're "alright". It's just the nature of internet forums.

Say Your Number · 04-11-2012 6:17pm

armchair fusilier wrote: »

Murph is the one who would fall off the media radar if OTB ended.

He's written some great articles on TheScore.ie over the summer, I think there is a bit more to him than the clown he plays on-air.

armchair fusilier · 04-11-2012 6:49pm

Say Your Number wrote: »

He's written some great articles on TheScore.ie over the summer, I think there is a bit more to him than the clown he plays on-air.

Fair enough, I not really into GAA - so I haven't read them.

Imhof Tank · 05-11-2012 11:57am

Aidric wrote: »

Your critical analysis of a radio host amounts to commentary on his appearance? Really??

Hello? I was defending Ken against the other poster you quoted - he was saying KE considered himself too good for OTB.

Not analyising and certainly not criticising.

Harry Angstrom · 05-11-2012 4:07pm

notahappycamper wrote: »

Agreed, and I grew up with him! He was never into football so I would love to know when his interest in the game started. A gang of us would always have a kick about on the green at the top of the road and all he would do would "toe bog" the ball!!

Are you sure about that? Didn't Ken have a trial for Marseille at one stage in his youth?

Temaz · 05-11-2012 4:24pm

Harry Angstrom wrote: »

Are you sure about that? Didn't Ken have a trial for Marseille at one stage in his youth?

Ah the never ending story:D

Aidric · 05-11-2012 4:24pm

Imhof Tank wrote: »

Hello? I was defending Ken against the other poster you quoted - he was saying KE considered himself too good for OTB.

Not analyising and certainly not criticising.

Hello what? You wrote the following:

Imhof Tank wrote: »

Not at all.

He knows if this show ever folded he'd never get another job in radio (or on TV given his appearance).

Unless I'm reading that completely wrong you make a direct reference to his appearance.

Imhof Tank · 05-11-2012 5:22pm

Aidric wrote: »

Hello what? You wrote the following:

Unless I'm reading that completely wrong you make a direct reference to his appearance.

You are quoting me without the necessary context. Go back and read it one more time - what was I saying "not at all" in reference to?

I made a reference to his appearance only because the other poster took a cheap shot with the Wurzel Gummage pic. That was an aside and had nothing to do with Ken's radio persona.

If I understand your post, you are saying I am holding his appearance against him as a radio presenter? Thats not what I am doing at all - I am a huge fan of the guy.

Strongbow10 · 08-11-2012 3:30am

where can you pick up the podcasts such as the interview with Roche etc???

The off the ball podcast seems to focus on Ken's inane ramblings and it usually the interviews that make the show for me.

JonathanAnon · 12-11-2012 9:35pm

I thought the lads were exaggerating about Robbie Keane's goal, but jesssus..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nPrSjrUnpg

You have to laugh at the other chap, putting his hand up to his head (as if he'd missed) at 0:13

passremarkable · 12-11-2012 10:41pm

JonathanAnon wrote: »

I thought the lads were exaggerating about Robbie Keane's goal, but jesssus..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nPrSjrUnpg

You have to laugh at the other chap, putting his hand up to his head (as if he'd missed) at 0:13

god thats unreal...man robbie...that something you would see inzaghi at!!

Skid · 04-12-2012 10:21pm

Richie Sadlier is giving some great revelations about the Millwall Christmas Parties at the moment.

JonathanAnon · 05-12-2012 1:12am

Skid wrote: »

Richie Sadlier is giving some great revelations about the Millwall Christmas Parties at the moment.

Hookers and people shooting up the place... Shur it was the same when I used to work for a north side company..

Xavi6 · 05-12-2012 8:46am

Sadlier's the best thing to happen to Irish football punditry in years. The proverbial fresh air and the honesty of his stories makes for super listening.

The fact that he wasn't at a 'big' club makes them more interesting for me as well.

JonathanAnon · 06-12-2012 9:33pm

Were any books released this year not "compelling"..

starviewadams · 07-12-2012 6:34pm

Looking forward to Ken's return,just not as entertaining a show without him.

armchair fusilier · 07-12-2012 7:20pm

starviewadams wrote: »

Looking forward to Ken's return,just not as entertaining a show without him.

I switched it off Monday night as soon as I heard them saying he was off for the week. I caught a bit of the football show last night, it was deadly dull stuff.

Vahevala · 09-12-2012 8:05pm

I love listening to Richie Sadlier, he really is compelling to listen to.

wnolan1992 · 09-12-2012 9:09pm

Vahevala wrote: »

I love listening to Richie Sadlier, he really is compelling to listen to.

+1. He's definitely the best pundit to come on the scene in a long while. Saw him on Premier Soccer Saturday yesterday, so incisive and interesting.

Cienciano · 11-12-2012 3:09pm

Richie Sadlier is great. An example to all the footballers that want to work in media after their playing career. Don't go into "footballer cliche media mode" when on camera or in front of a mic. Just be honest and tell us what really happens!

Imhof Tank · 11-12-2012 3:28pm

I think they are in danger of over exposing Richie. He is ok but the long slots from 930 to 10, a Wednesday night is it (?), are slow going at times.

I think it was mentioned that he was in school with McDevitt (Benildus, Kilmacud possibly??) and there is a feeling he is being helped out in getting his fledgling media career started. A bit like Shaggy on rugby matters - he has connections with the show as well.

armchair fusilier · 11-12-2012 11:41pm

Imhof Tank wrote: »

I think they are in danger of over exposing Richie. He is ok but the long slots from 930 to 10, a Wednesday night is it (?), are slow going at times.

I think it was mentioned that he was in school with McDevitt (Benildus, Kilmacud possibly??) and there is a feeling he is being helped out in getting his fledgling media career started. A bit like Shaggy on rugby matters - he has connections with the show as well.

I think it would be better if they had a general chat with him about a number of events in the news that week instead of just picking one topic, which is what they have been doing each week. Tonight's coin tossing item ran out of steam pretty quickly. Still think he good though.

Richie's media career is a bit further along than fledgling. His Sindo column has been going strong for a good few years now and I'm fairly sure that RTE have earmarked him as one of their main pundits once the old guard moves on. I think he was a few years ahead of Mcdevitt in school and there's nothing more to it than that, I never got the impression that they knew each other back then. You have a point about Shaggy.

Clonmel1000 · 12-12-2012 10:03pm

Who is Shaggy?

Skid · 12-12-2012 10:20pm

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Who is Shaggy?

Shane Horgan

armchair fusilier · 13-12-2012 12:00am

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Who is Shaggy?

Skid wrote: »

Shane Horgan

...brother of OTB's producer.

Skid · 13-12-2012 12:03am

armchair fusilier wrote: »

...brother of OTB's producer.

Regardless of who he is related to, he is a very good contributor on both RTE and Newstalk.

As an eloquent recently retired International I'm sure he didn't need any family help to get started in the media.

Red Crow · 13-12-2012 12:06am

Richie is a rubbish pundit IMO. He's very hard to listen too. Although he would be good by Irish standards.

armchair fusilier · 13-12-2012 12:15am

Skid wrote: »

Regardless of who he is related to, he is a very good contributor on both RTE and Newstalk.

As an eloquent recently retired International I'm sure he didn't need any family help to get started in the media.

I think he is an OK pundit, no more than that, but as in all these matters - it's a subjective thing.

Clonmel1000 · 13-12-2012 9:21am

Rugby IMO gets way to much air time anyway for what in this country is a minority sport. Just because the owners/MDs of radio stations etc are interested if Paulie or Rog or Drico farted 2 weeks before some meaningless league game in a makey up tournament doesen mean that it should be top billing on our sports bulletins.

splendid101 · 13-12-2012 9:26am

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Rugby IMO gets way to much air time anyway for what in this country is a minority sport. Just because the owners/MDs of radio stations etc are interested if Paulie or Rog or Drico farted 2 weeks before some meaningless league game in a makey up tournament doesen mean that it should be top billing on our sports bulletins.

I think you're completely wrong. I don't like rugby at all, but along with football, gaelic and hurling, rugby is one of the biggest sports in the country.

ThisRegard · 13-12-2012 12:27pm

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Rugby IMO gets way to much air time anyway for what in this country is a minority sport. Just because the owners/MDs of radio stations etc are interested if Paulie or Rog or Drico farted 2 weeks before some meaningless league game in a makey up tournament doesen mean that it should be top billing on our sports bulletins.

So you want to spend more time on a sport where all the games are played in a foreign country with a handful of Irish players than you do on a sport that has a big following consisting for the most part of Irish players based in Ireland ?

Aren't all leagues makey up, someone had to come up with the idea in the first place.

wnolan1992 · 13-12-2012 1:32pm

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Rugby IMO gets way to much air time anyway for what in this country is a minority sport. Just because the owners/MDs of radio stations etc are interested if Paulie or Rog or Drico farted 2 weeks before some meaningless league game in a makey up tournament doesen mean that it should be top billing on our sports bulletins.

In the summer months GAA gets twice as much coverage on OTB as anything else. During the winter Rugby and Soccer get coverage because there are no notable GAA games going on.

Unless they want to turn it into a local radio sports show that gives 20 minute round ups of the U-14's Junior C camogie League Quarter-Final replay.

So in short, what should, in your opinion, be leading the sports bulletins?

splendid101 · 13-12-2012 10:45pm

The massive scandal during the Hot fork Buffet quiz was absolutely hilarious.

As was Ken Early's retelling of Benitez's man management skills. Space-Pace.

Great show this evening.

Skid · 13-12-2012 11:52pm

splendid101 wrote: »

The massive scandal during the Hot fork Buffet quiz was absolutely hilarious.

https://soundcloud.com/off-the-ball/the-lance-armstrong-of-the

Great stuff, you would never get Des Cahill or anyone on RTE taking such a firm stand on quiz irregularities.

JM Skipton · 14-12-2012 12:06pm

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Rugby IMO gets way to much air time anyway for what in this country is a minority sport. Just because the owners/MDs of radio stations etc are interested if Paulie or Rog or Drico farted 2 weeks before some meaningless league game in a makey up tournament doesen mean that it should be top billing on our sports bulletins.

Very disappointing post!! Rugby has grown hugely over the last 10 years and more and more people have access to it now that didn't in the past.
It is also significant that we have professional sportsmen that are living and working in Ireland where we can watch them in the flesh week in week out instead of having to watch them on TV like our professional soccer players!

popebenny16 · 14-12-2012 4:16pm

JM Skipton wrote: »

Very disappointing post!! Rugby has grown hugely over the last 10 years and more and more people have access to it now that didn't in the past.
It is also significant that we have professional sportsmen that are living and working in Ireland where we can watch them in the flesh week in week out instead of having to watch them on TV like our professional soccer players!

some of ye have short memories, i recall OTB having live magners league matches on a friday evening almost every week during the winter. (nowadays they mock the magners a bit during team sheets being read out) makes the wednesday night segment a bit small.

what i do irk at is there being no football show during the summer because, you as know, there is no soccer played during the summer.

JM Skipton · 14-12-2012 4:41pm

popebenny16 wrote: »

some of ye have short memories, i recall OTB having live magners league matches on a friday evening almost every week during the winter. (nowadays they mock the magners a bit during team sheets being read out) makes the wednesday night segment a bit small.

what i do irk at is there being no football show during the summer because, you as know, there is no soccer played during the summer.

Apologies but I have completely missed the point you are trying to make,you have quoted my post so I presume there is something in it that you agree/disagree with??

ThisRegard · 14-12-2012 5:22pm

There is no Mangers league to be mocked.

mrsdewinter · 15-12-2012 7:46am

Skid wrote: »

https://soundcloud.com/off-the-ball/the-lance-armstrong-of-the

Great stuff, you would never get Des Cahill or anyone on RTE taking such a firm stand on quiz irregularities.

I couldn't believe them calling that guy out like that - fantastic radio.

I *love* the Thursday night head-to-head quiz - well, I love the intro sequence with Murph supposedly psyching himself up. It always makes me laugh...

dvcireland · 15-12-2012 2:47pm

due to the unfortunate circumstances, i'd say the lads will be digging out the Paidi o' Shea interview.

there was a great quote on how Paidi would motivate a team at halftime if they were trailing in a match

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

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