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

deisedude · 17-10-2019 12:28pm

Arghus wrote: »

First time listening to the show in a while -

That Johnny Ward guy sounds like a transition year version of Joe Molloy. Didn't think he was particularly great to be honest.

I think he works better as a colour contributer and wasnt great in the hotseat.

Interview with Ryhs Mcglenahan was poor and led up to it by saying anyone with an interest in athletics should listen despite the fact Rhys is a world class gymnast. (I know athlete can be a catch all term for a sportsperson but I think he just messed up to be honest)

Went off on one about the World Championships in Doha despite the fact the other lads were talking about the Olympics in Tokyo at the time

Tell me how · 17-10-2019 12:46pm

deisedude wrote: »

I think he works better as a colour contributer and wasnt great in the hotseat.

Interview with Ryhs Mcglenahan was poor and led up to it by saying anyone with an interest in athletics should listen despite the fact Rhys is a world class gymnast. (I know athlete can be a catch all term for a sportsperson but I think he just messed up to be honest)

Went off on one about the World Championships in Doha despite the fact the other lads were talking about the Olympics in Tokyo at the time

I didn't hear this particular show but think I did hear him before in the hot seat and agree he is currently better as a contributor.

Time I heard him, thought he was somewhat nervous.

Murdoc90 · 17-10-2019 1:16pm

This is class, Gilroy down to a tee.

Tell me how · 17-10-2019 10:08pm

Some of Eoin Sheehans videos from Japan are excellent.

Enjoyed this one.

https://twitter.com/EoinSheahan/status/1184897402131451904?s=19

17-10-2019 10:19pm

Wrong thread, probably, but is anyone else getting this when they click on some boards threads? (attachment)

It's only happening to me on the Radio Forum but maybe its just a problem on my side

redbuck · 17-10-2019 11:40pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Wrong thread, probably, but is anyone else getting this when they click on some boards threads? (attachment)

It's only happening to me on the Radio Forum but maybe its just a problem on my side

I’m getting that sometimes or else nothing happens when I click in to followed threads on my phone.

generalgerry · 18-10-2019 8:04am

Tell me how wrote: »

Some of Eoin Sheehans videos from Japan are excellent.

Yeah in fairness to Eoin, I've been critical in the past, but he's doing well over there. Contrast how he's embraced the Japanese Rugby World Cup / fans / culture as opposed to Joe Molloy's "I'm a PPI winning sports journalist, get me out of here" approach to the Brazil Soccer World Cup!

Tell me how · 18-10-2019 3:10pm

generalgerry wrote: »

Yeah in fairness to Eoin, I've been critical in the past, but he's doing well over there. Contrast how he's embraced the Japanese Rugby World Cup / fans / culture as opposed to Joe Molloy's "I'm a PPI winning sports journalist, get me out of here" approach to the Brazil Soccer World Cup!

Not sure Joe had won the PPI when he was in Brazil. Think he won it first a few months later.

BPKS · 19-10-2019 9:06pm

The OTB crew didnt hold back in their criticism of Joe Schmidt and the rugby team today. In contrast to other sports shows and other media outlets, they called it as they saw it in fairness. Heard it from 3 to 3.30 and it was actually a really good half hour, with the lads shooting from the hip, a bit of craic with Eoin Sheehan and a few texters having a go back at them for having the temerity to criticise.

They also start a new feature tomorrow with a look back on Ken Dohertys World Championship win which I am sad to say is 22 years ago!

cmac2009 · 20-10-2019 1:21pm

Seems like Joe Molloy hasn't been on in ages? Is he away?

RoversCeltic · 20-10-2019 1:59pm

Not one English player would get on this Irish team us what BOD and otb were saying this year
.are they sheepish?

Tell me how · 20-10-2019 11:35pm

RoversCeltic wrote: »

Not one English player would get on this Irish team us what BOD and otb were saying this year
.are they sheepish?

BOD said it on OTB in February. Before the 6 nations. After Ireland had beaten the All Blacks, were #1 in the world and favourites for the 6N.

It's easy be wise looking back and saying that was nonsense but it wasn't near as unbelievable then as it seems now.

Scott Tenorman · 21-10-2019 7:50am

Tell me how wrote: »

BOD said it on OTB in February. Before the 6 nations. After Ireland had beaten the All Blacks, were #1 in the world and favourites for the 6N.

It's easy be wise looking back and saying that was nonsense but it wasn't near as unbelievable then as it seems now.

Ireland were not #1 then

Dog Murphy · 21-10-2019 7:51am

Tell me how wrote: »

BOD said it on OTB in February. Before the 6 nations. After Ireland had beaten the All Blacks, were #1 in the world and favourites for the 6N.

It's easy be wise looking back and saying that was nonsense but it wasn't near as unbelievable then as it seems now.

There has never been a time in the history of Rugby where not one English player wouldn't have been good enough to get into the Ireland team.

It was a nonsensical statement England won the 6 nations the 2 years before Ireland won the grand slam yet suddenly we were supposed to be in a completely different league than they were because of one excellent year.

ButtersSuki · 21-10-2019 8:45am

Tell me how wrote: »

BOD said it on OTB in February. Before the 6 nations. After Ireland had beaten the All Blacks, were #1 in the world and favourites for the 6N.

It's easy be wise looking back and saying that was nonsense but it wasn't near as unbelievable then as it seems now.

To be fair I think he said Tuilagi would have taken one of the centre positions, but one from 15 is almost as daft and as arrogant a comment as no-one would make the team. I've always found it funny that we call out English sporting arrogance but never our own - you'll still hear Irish fans saying Murray and Sexton are the best half back pairing in world rugby; as well as being the best 9 and 10 in the world respectively. There's been precious little evidence of that for a long time....and I say this as a fan.

RoversCeltic · 21-10-2019 9:21am

Tell me how wrote: »

BOD said it on OTB in February. Before the 6 nations. After Ireland had beaten the All Blacks, were #1 in the world and favourites for the 6N.

It's easy be wise looking back and saying that was nonsense but it wasn't near as unbelievable then as it seems now.

He is meant to be a knowledgeable rugby analysis, how could he come out with that guff

CatFromHue · 21-10-2019 12:54pm

The context is important here.

England only won 2 games in the 2018 6N and we beat them comfortably in Twickenham that season.

We then went on to win the Grand Slam and had a great end of year.

I personally would have Billy Vunipola in my team every day but I can see why BOD said what he said in Februrary.

dominatinMC · 21-10-2019 1:51pm

In fairness lads, I'm not BOD's biggest fan, but retrospective analysis of what he said at the time is a bit harsh. You can probably go back through the analysis of any pundit, and pick out some remarks which can be considered ridiculous now. Some on here were criticising BOD a while ago for not being vociferous/opinionated enough, he says something like this and he is slaughtered. Can't win!

BTW, I do not for a minute agree with what he said. All I'm saying is that I can understand why he said it, in the heat of the moment.

diusmr8a504cvk · 21-10-2019 2:35pm

Thumped by Wales, England (twice) and Japan as well as being embarrassed by New Zealand. Losing 5/14 games when you're supposed to be one of the top tier one nations is not good.

CatFromHue · 21-10-2019 2:37pm

Has anyone being saying it is?

Back after we beat New Zealand last November everyone was on a high.

Going into the RWC that high had all gone and we were just hoping for the best.

RoversCeltic · 21-10-2019 2:37pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

The context is important here.

England only won 2 games in the 2018 6N and we beat them comfortably in Twickenham that season.

We then went on to win the Grand Slam and had a great end of year.

I personally would have Billy Vunipola in my team every day but I can see why BOD said what he said in Februrary.

the context is important but it is so arrogant & evidently wrong

CatFromHue · 21-10-2019 2:41pm

After the year we had in 2018 it's not really that arrogant.

He's wrong, as I mentioned about Vunipola, but not massively on what things looked like at the time.

Who else, at the time, would you have picked from their team?

RoversCeltic · 21-10-2019 3:05pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

After the year we had in 2018 it's not really that arrogant.

He's wrong, as I mentioned about Vunipola, but not massively on what things looked like at the time.

Who else, at the time, would you have picked from their team?

Man city won the EPL last season, not one Liverpool player would get on the Man City team

that's the guff that he said

RugbyLover123 · 21-10-2019 8:07pm

Think that’s harsh.

I remember BOD saying that and going through the England 1-15 myself and saying to it would only be Billy V and Tuilagi who would get in the Ireland team for me. Both were injured at the time so that’s why he didn’t include them.

This was said when Leinster & Ireland had dominated all before them that year and England (and Saracens!) were in nowhere near the form they are now!

Tell me how · 21-10-2019 8:15pm

Last week Danny Mills did a combined Man Utd/Liverpool 11 which had no Man Utd players.
Very few could argue with it then, but they drew yesterday and if he was to do it today, you can bet it wouldn't be 11-0 in one teams favour.

Hindsight is 20-20

Dog Murphy · 21-10-2019 10:03pm

Tell me how wrote: »

Last week Danny Mills did a combined Man Utd/Liverpool 11 which had no Man Utd players.
Very few could argue with it then, but they drew yesterday and if he was to do it today, you can bet it wouldn't be 11-0 in one teams favour.

Hindsight is 20-20

There is a clear gap between Liverpool and Man Utd over the last 3 or 4 years, England and ourselves have been pretty level over the last few years in Rugby so stating we were that much better than them wasn't really accurate.

If you name a Liverpool v Man Utd 1-11 today it would still be 100% Liverpool players on the team.There is a clear and obvious gap in standard between those 2 teams over a decent period of time.

In the last decade or more the Irish rugby media have always had a sad obsession with putting down English rugby despite us not being any better than them ourselves.Constant whining about the supposed unfair advantage Saracens have, complaining about the style of rugby England played over the years and the style that was played in the English premiership (despite it being a far superior competition to the Pro 12) and I am sure there are plenty of other examples I can't think of off the top of my head.

CatFromHue · 22-10-2019 2:33pm

RoversCeltic wrote: »

Man city won the EPL last season, not one Liverpool player would get on the Man City team

that's the guff that he said

Not really as there was only a point between them at the end of last season and it was a win, to city, and a draw in the games they played.

In the rugby Ireland had a far better season than England did. In the 2018 6N England only won 2 games, Ireland 5. Then there was the tour win in Australia, winning and winning all the Autumn Internationals, incl beating NZ, to factor in too.

I think BOD is wrong, as I'd always have Billy V in my team, but I can see why he said it.

Aidric · 22-10-2019 8:20pm

Why is Cliona Foley so often on the paper review? She ruins every single one of them; constantly interrupting the host and her fellow guests, answering questions with her own agenda and ranting to an unhealthy scale. She is an absolute melt.

On the Heaslip topic she was like a dog with a bone. She kept repeating the same point whilst qualifying it by saying she wasn't accusing him of anything while the obvious inference was that she was doing exactly that.

Historybluff · 22-10-2019 10:05pm

Aidric wrote: »

Why is Cliona Foley so often on the paper review? She ruins every single one of them; constantly interrupting the host and her fellow guests, answering questions with her own agenda and ranting to an unhealthy scale. She is an absolute melt.

On the Heaslip topic she was like a dog with a bone. She kept repeating the same point whilst qualifying it by saying she wasn't accusing him of anything while the obvious inference was that she was doing exactly that.

Why is she on so often? There's a few reasons I'd say. Firstly, she's a woman, and OTB believe in positive discrimination. Secondly, she's a journalist who's probably familiar with other journalists' work. Third, she already presents a podcast for OTB - Off the Bench, the women's sports podcast. Fourth, she's able to talk. Overall, she's reliable, seems to know her stuff. I agree with you though about the Heaslip issue: she did bang on about it rather a lot, repeating the same point ad nauseam. The presenter should have moved along the discussion there, rather than allowing her to repeat herself so much.

I was disappointed by the other guest: Denis Hurley, the former Munster rugby player. He said very little. Admittedly, Foley did talk a lot, perhaps giving him little room to speak. But even when he did speak, he said little of interest. Nothing he said cast light on the reasons for the Irish rugby team's collapse on Saturday, for example.

Dowend · 23-10-2019 1:02am

Andy Lee is brilliant. Really enjoying listening to him.

Unlike others (BOD, Quinlan, Kilbane etc.), he is able to talk sense about a range of sports by calling on his experience as an ex-professional sportsman, but doesn't toe the party line and avoids stating the obvious. I also think he's excellent at talking about the mental side of top-level sports, drawing on his own experiences. Can see him going on to be a very successful coach.

23-10-2019 7:24am

Aidric wrote: »

Why is Cliona Foley so often on the paper review? She ruins every single one of them; constantly interrupting the host and her fellow guests, answering questions with her own agenda and ranting to an unhealthy scale. She is an absolute melt.

On the Heaslip topic she was like a dog with a bone. She kept repeating the same point whilst qualifying it by saying she wasn't accusing him of anything while the obvious inference was that she was doing exactly that.

Like lots of people who work in the media and has a platform, it's pretty clear she has a huge ego and can't wait to share her thoughts on everything to the point that she interrupts the other guest in this slot and talks over them all the time. It doesn't make for good radio.

generalgerry · 23-10-2019 7:34am

Richie to Damien Delaney last night (in reference to a single fan being thrown out for racism): "And do you think that with the right wing element in the UK, with BREXIT and Nigel Farage, that the problem has gotten worse"

These sort of nonsense really annoys me about OTB. Stop trying to shoehorn in politics in to the sports show, and stop trying to put your own opinions in the mouths of the guests.

It's just one nutcase that got thrown out, you would swear it was the whole Stretford End the way the media are focusing on this incident.

irishguitarlad · 23-10-2019 8:11am

I listened to a half hour of them just there and had to turn it off. Just contstantly harping on about rugby and then when they did mention soccer it was just Ger talking through gritted teeth about it. I generally find otb's soccer content woeful anyways, they never discuss European League's and when they do they get on that insufferable bore Graham Hunter who probably masturbates to the sound of his own voice and who just goes on and on about his beloved Barcelona constantly. Also, why in jaysus do they dedicate time to the NFL? I know I might have mentioned it before on here but surely basketball would make more sense? They could talk about the Irish league(would give it much needed publicity), Eurobasket and NBA, could even get Donaghy to do it.

Dog Murphy · 23-10-2019 12:37pm

irishguitarlad wrote: »

I listened to a half hour of them just there and had to turn it off. Just contstantly harping on about rugby and then when they did mention soccer it was just Ger talking through gritted teeth about it. I generally find otb's soccer content woeful anyways, they never discuss European League's and when they do they get on that insufferable bore Graham Hunter who probably masturbates to the sound of his own voice and who just goes on and on about his beloved Barcelona constantly. Also, why in jaysus do they dedicate time to the NFL? I know I might have mentioned it before on here but surely basketball would make more sense? They could talk about the Irish league(would give it much needed publicity), Eurobasket and NBA, could even get Donaghy to do it.

Not many people follow basketball in Ireland compared to the NFL,the Basketball forum here is dead zone compared to the American Football forum, and there certainly would be almost no demand to cover the Euroleague Basketball it is never promoted on any Irish or UK TV station and I've never read about it on any Irish newspaper.I'd say almost nobody follows Euroleague basketball in Ireland.

ButtersSuki · 23-10-2019 4:39pm

Dog Murphy wrote: »

Not many people follow basketball in Ireland compared to the NFL,the Basketball forum here is dead zone compared to the American Football forum, and there certainly would be almost no demand to cover the Euroleague Basketball it is never promoted on any Irish or UK TV station and I've never read about it on any Irish newspaper.I'd say almost nobody follows Euroleague basketball in Ireland.

Ahem! I've been to countless Euroleague Games and multiple Final Fours.........but yeah, I know what you mean, sadly.

I'd imagine I'm the single biggest contributor by post count to both the Radio (almost 24,000 posts) and Basketball (over 3,700 ina very quiet Forum) Fora, but I wouldn't/couldn't listen to Donaghy if he covered it. Aside from the cliches and the general awkwardness I find with his style, I simply cannot listen to his accent as I find it incredibly tough on the ears.

I liked the US Sports segment they used to do with "US Murph" a few years back, but that's long gone adn I find on the rare occasion they comment on basketball now it comes from a place of very little knowledge of the game.

I'm a basketball fan, and I can completely understand why the NFL gets the lions share of the US Sports coverage here and in the UK.

Dog Murphy · 23-10-2019 11:23pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Ahem! I've been to countless Euroleague Games and multiple Final Fours.........but yeah, I know what you mean, sadly.

I'd imagine I'm the single biggest contributor by post count to both the Radio (almost 24,000 posts) and Basketball (over 3,700 ina very quiet Forum) Fora, but I wouldn't/couldn't listen to Donaghy if he covered it. Aside from the cliches and the general awkwardness I find with his style, I simply cannot listen to his accent as I find it incredibly tough on the ears.

I liked the US Sports segment they used to do with "US Murph" a few years back, but that's long gone adn I find on the rare occasion they comment on basketball now it comes from a place of very little knowledge of the game.

I'm a basketball fan, and I can completely understand why the NFL gets the lions share of the US Sports coverage here and in the UK.

NBA sufferers because of the inconsistent schedule and 95% of games being on in the middle of the night .It requires a bit of effort to follow living in Ireland.

NFL season is perfect and I would a imagine a big reason for it's popularity both in USA and abroad.The season is just the perfect length so it's never long enough to get fed up with and the games being on Sunday evening in the winter (prime TV viewing season) it's a lovely way to distract yourself from work the next day.

Tell me how · 24-10-2019 7:01pm

Think it's fair to say the OTB show and the people on it know the things which people say about them and aren't overly bothered given the way they're happy to have a light shone on it.

https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1187416461033254912

Ol' Donie · 25-10-2019 8:48am

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Ahem! I've been to countless Euroleague Games and multiple Final Fours.........but yeah, I know what you mean, sadly.

I'd imagine I'm the single biggest contributor by post count to both the Radio (almost 24,000 posts) and Basketball (over 3,700 ina very quiet Forum) Fora, but I wouldn't/couldn't listen to Donaghy if he covered it. Aside from the cliches and the general awkwardness I find with his style, I simply cannot listen to his accent as I find it incredibly tough on the ears.

I liked the US Sports segment they used to do with "US Murph" a few years back, but that's long gone adn I find on the rare occasion they comment on basketball now it comes from a place of very little knowledge of the game.

I'm a basketball fan, and I can completely understand why the NFL gets the lions share of the US Sports coverage here and in the UK.

US Murph is a regular on Second Captains still.

Also, you can get the podcasts of his radio show from San Francisco quite easily. Great for a 49ers fan like me.

generalgerry · 25-10-2019 10:16pm

Tell me how wrote: »

Think it's fair to say the OTB show and the people on it know the things which people say about them and aren't overly bothered given the way they're happy to have a light shone on it.

I think that this is more Risteard's own friendly roasting of them, rather than him reading the texts that people send in and producing comedy based on what people think of them. Could you imagine what a sketch you could put together on them about their stance on gambling, that one would write itself. Or a serious p1ss take of Quinlan.

Risteard's sketch is far from biting. Though I was very impressed with him doing Sheahan.

Tell me how · 25-10-2019 10:23pm

generalgerry wrote: »

I think that this is more Risteard's own friendly roasting of them, rather than him reading the texts that people send in and producing comedy based on what people think of them. Could you imagine what a sketch you could put together on them about their stance on gambling, that one would write itself. Or a serious p1ss take of Quinlan.

Risteard's sketch is far from biting. Though I was very impressed with him doing Sheahan.

I think comedy routed in a humorous take on personal traits or idiosyncrasies is better than comedy based on hatred and bitterness.

Agree Sheahen was eerily good. Well put together as well to look like them talking to each other.

generalgerry · 26-10-2019 7:24am

Tell me how wrote: »

Agree Sheahen was eerily good. Well put together as well to look like them talking to each other.

There was a fine line between doing an impression and mocking his nasal voice, but I think Risteard achieved it! He certainly got his mannerisms as well though.

Have to say that I've warmed a lot more to Sheahan since his Japan trip. He did a great job of capturing the atmosphere with the fans.

26-10-2019 7:51am

Tell me how wrote: »

Think it's fair to say the OTB show and the people on it know the things which people say about them and aren't overly bothered given the way they're happy to have a light shone on it.

https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1187416461033254912

I'm sure Ger's ego is not too displeased at the idea of him being satired like this as when the comics line you up it often means that you've really made it. But in this case of course, the show is just paying Risteard to come in and make light hearted fun of them.

generalgerry · 27-10-2019 9:41pm

Was there a paper review today lads? I heard that Kimmage had another article today about heaslip, so I was wondering if they discussed it on the show.

Jayesdiem · 28-10-2019 4:23pm

generalgerry wrote: »

Was there a paper review today lads? I heard that Kimmage had another article today about heaslip, so I was wondering if they discussed it on the show.

Heaslip’s demeanour and comments do him no favours in terms of his likeability factor but this relentless attack by Paul Kimmage is a form of bullying on a national platform. Heaslip has made some outrageously far-fetched comments but Kimmage comes across as a paranoid man whose ultimate destination is a straight jacket in a padded cell. Writing doping articles with his feet. Is he really that concerned for the welfare of the players in a sport that he doesn’t even like or respect. To Heaslip I say lay low, shut up and think before you massage your ego with crazy statements. There’s a psychotic man out there that cannot accept that drugs will always play a part in sport and that we, as a fan base are are culpable for this as the users themselves. Kimmage is odious figure.

Tell me how · 28-10-2019 5:42pm

Jayesdiem wrote: »

Heaslip’s demeanour and comments do him no favours in terms of his likeability factor but this relentless attack by Paul Kimmage is a form of bullying on a national platform. Heaslip has made some outrageously far-fetched comments but Kimmage comes across as a paranoid man whose ultimate destination is a straight jacket in a padded cell. Writing doping articles with his feet. Is he really that concerned for the welfare of the players in a sport that he doesn’t even like or respect. To Heaslip I say lay low, shut up and think before you massage your ego with crazy statements. There’s a psychotic man out there that cannot accept that drugs will always play a part in sport and that we, as a fan base are are culpable for this as the users themselves. Kimmage is odious figure.

I admire Kimmage greatly for his stance on doping. If you look behind the scenes at the number of players and athletes who have died or suffered health concerns as a result of doping then you don't even need to think about the 'cheating' element to be concerned.

If we didn't have Kimmage trying to shine a light on this, the fan base would be even less aware and so their ignorance could be seen as tacit approval.

I wish we had more journalists like him who weren't afraid to ask the awkward questions, I had high hopes for McKenna but unfortunately I think he is motivated now by being negative. There's a grain of truth in his stories which need to be considered, but they are completely overwhelmed by rhetoric and a righteous attitude at the moment.

Dog Murphy · 28-10-2019 6:02pm

Tell me how wrote: »

I admire Kimmage greatly for his stance on doping. If you look behind the scenes at the number of players and athletes who have died or suffered health concerns as a result of doping then you don't even need to think about the 'cheating' element to be concerned.

If we didn't have Kimmage trying to shine a light on this, the fan base would be even less aware and so their ignorance could be seen as tacit approval.

I wish we had more journalists like him who weren't afraid to ask the awkward questions, I had high hopes for McKenna but unfortunately I think he is motivated now by being negative. There's a grain of truth in his stories which need to be considered, but they are completely overwhelmed by rhetoric and a righteous attitude at the moment.

Journalists don't have the stomach for going after drugs cheats because it will cost them money and it will cost them job opportunities.There is so much money involved in sport for everyone journalists included that no media company will back a journalist who investigates drug cheats and no journalist will do it because they won't get backed.Sports that actually tried to stop drugs cheats have ruined themselves because of trying to be honest , ignorance is bliss is the better option for business. The war on drugs in sport is essentially dead which is sad because kids getting involved in sport will probably have to make decision about whether to take stuff they shouldn't just to be able to compete.

Tell me how · 28-10-2019 6:09pm

Dog Murphy wrote: »

Journalists don't have the stomach for going after drugs cheats because it will cost them money and it will cost them job opportunities.There is so much money involved in sport for everyone journalists included that no media company will back a journalist who investigates drug cheats and no journalist will do it because they won't get backed.Sports that actually tried to stop drugs cheats have ruined themselves because of trying to be honest , ignorance is bliss is the better option for business. The war on drugs in sport is essentially dead which is sad because kids getting involved in sport will probably have to make decision about whether to take stuff they shouldn't just to be able to compete.

Unfortunately, I cannot argue too much that you are wrong.
There have been stories where kids have been coerced in to taking drugs by their parents which just beggars belief.

Dublin Marathon record was broken yesterday by a drugs cheat.
As science advances, it is hard to see it changing.

cmac2009 · 28-10-2019 6:13pm

Jayesdiem wrote: »

Heaslip’s demeanour and comments do him no favours in terms of his likeability factor but this relentless attack by Paul Kimmage is a form of bullying on a national platform. Heaslip has made some outrageously far-fetched comments but Kimmage comes across as a paranoid man whose ultimate destination is a straight jacket in a padded cell. Writing doping articles with his feet. Is he really that concerned for the welfare of the players in a sport that he doesn’t even like or respect. To Heaslip I say lay low, shut up and think before you massage your ego with crazy statements. There’s a psychotic man out there that cannot accept that drugs will always play a part in sport and that we, as a fan base are are culpable for this as the users themselves. Kimmage is odious figure.

What drivel. He has raised valid questions about events he has discussed freely in his book, which Jamie could clear up quite easily. His lack of a response speaks volumes.

generalgerry · 28-10-2019 8:37pm

I think it's important to remember the context of this though. Kimmage has long had a bee in his bonnet about this "omerta" around the issue of drugs in rugby, and failure of anybody in the IRFU to at least acknowledge that there may be some people who are using performance enhancing drugs. I'm also conscious of the podcast where the incredibly smug Luke Fitzgerald, who seemed to be the self appointed representative of the rugby brethren, hit back at Kimmage and called HIM a drug cheat (for the few times that the used drugs in a few cycling races). So I'd say when Kimmage read Heaslip's book and found out that he had failed a drugs test, he must have thought that all his Christmases had come at once. And whether his motives are professional or personal, it is up to Jamie Heaslip to clear up any ambiguities that remain after his telling of the story.

Have to say, it was hugely naive of Heaslip to include the story in his book and not have all of the answers ready for the questions that would inevitably follow. He knows that Kimmage has had it in for rugby players, and it would have been an absolute certainly that he was going to jump on the story as soon as it was published. He can't just bury his head in the sand and hope that Kimmage will go away, because we all know for sure that he won't.

Jayesdiem · 28-10-2019 11:05pm

Tell me how wrote: »

I admire Kimmage greatly for his stance on doping. If you look behind the scenes at the number of players and athletes who have died or suffered health concerns as a result of doping then you don't even need to think about the 'cheating' element to be concerned.

If we didn't have Kimmage trying to shine a light on this, the fan base would be even less aware and so their ignorance could be seen as tacit approval.

I wish we had more journalists like him who weren't afraid to ask the awkward questions, I had high hopes for McKenna but unfortunately I think he is motivated now by being negative. There's a grain of truth in his stories which need to be considered, but they are completely overwhelmed by rhetoric and a righteous attitude at the moment.

Who has died from doping? I can’t think of a single person and, if I could, how that could be proved. There is no evidence that doping causes death.

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

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