Nordie Managers boycott RTE

Surprised this hasn't been discussed on here yet, from todays Examiner

'The reason why Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney and Laois' Justin McNulty all refused to give post-match interviews to RTÉ last Sunday has now emerged.

A number of top level GAA managers, including the three mentioned above, have decided to boycott RTÉ over the station's treatment of long-serving radio commentator Brian Carthy.

Harte declined to speak to RTÉ after Tyrone's Ulster Championship win over Monaghan, while the station's TV and radio reporters were not given access to former Armagh team-mates McGeeney and McNulty after their sides' respective matches at Croke Park.

Carthy had been expected to take over RTÉ Radio 1's main match commentaries following the retirement of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh last October.

RTÉ have not appointed a direct replacement for the much-loved Ó Muircheartaigh as yet, preferring to use a selection of commentators for their big radio games including TV regulars like Marty Morrissey and Darragh Maloney.

Carthy, who many feel is the natural successor to Ó Muircheartaigh given his level of experience, only issued short updates on the Cork v Waterford game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday.

He was also was overlooked for the Allianz League Division 1 finals in April. Morrissey and Maloney were given those games.

Indeed, Maloney made a glaring error during his radio commentary of the Kildare v Meath clash last Sunday when he failed to notice the sending-off of Meath substitute Brian Farrell. It was only several minutes later that he acknowledged the dismissal, with the entire RTÉ radio team missing the incident.

The GAA managers feel so strongly about the treatment of Carthy that they recently sent a letter, signed by eight men, to the national broadcaster expressing their concerns.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Harte said: "We sent some correspondence to the effect that we are very much dismayed and alarmed at the absence of Brian Carthy from major commentary roles at the moment.

"We just didn't think that was good practice because we do believe that for Gaelic games over the years there has been a distinctive voice on radio.

"And radio is an unique medium. It's a highly challenging skill to deliver that in a way that paints a picture for people and I think you need to be steeped in the GAA to do that."

Asked to comment on the issue, RTÉ's head of sport Ryle Nugent said: "Brian was on commentary duties in Limerick on Saturday (for the Limerick v Kerry match) and will be again next weekend. He is still part of our commentary team.

"I am of the conviction that RTÉ will assign reporters and commentators as it sees fit."

Harte confirmed that the the managers have asked for a meeting with RTÉ chiefs to discuss the matter in greater depth. He also reckons that the managers will continue to boycott interviews with RTÉ until a suitable resolution is reached.'

They are entitled to their opinion - same as RTE pundits have an opinion on the teams they pick or don't pick
but I think publically voicing an opinion is where it should end.

I think taking action over-steps the mark - what next do they try and influence who the pundits are or who presents the sunday game?.

RTE should reduce the money that it is paying for TV rights and there should be a direct knock on from HQ to the county boards/counties involved.

The managers are also short-changing their own sponsors.

Cant understand what it has to do with the managers. Fair enough they shouldnt have to speak with rte if they choose not to, but i dont see why they think they have a right to dictate who commentates on matches. Couldnt see it happening in any other sport

Nice man but this is pure crap tbh. Fookin Nordies at it again .... They'll be backing the Aer Lingus pilots next ....

I' say we all withdraw our custom from AIB until they appoint Gooch Cooper as the new CEO......




Or would that be completely stupid and unreasonable?

Completely agree with the managers - I couldn't believe it when Morrisey and Considine were commentating on Tipp and Cork a week ago, and Brian Carthy was giving updates from Mayo and London (I think it was Mayo and London). The guy is a class apart, the one that sticks out is his description of events in the Leinster Final last year. It was poetic. Great servant to the GAA and RTE over the years. No way should he be treated like this.

This is a load of oul' cock. I'm not Carthy's biggest admirer, but the position these managers are taking is un-tenable.
RTE are funded by the state and the license payer (not by team managers, whether they be from Tyrone or Leitrim) so all they're doing is hopping a ball.

Of course it's up to RTE to decide who does what within the organisation and like it or lump it, we must accept their decision...
These team managers are "engaged" to manage teams....end of story. God knows, some of the figures being bandied around, for the value to the fools paying for it, would make you wonder.....

RTE have one highish profile from Roscommon (Ciaran Mulooley) and that's enough......

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Completely agree with the managers - I couldn't believe it when Morrisey and Considine were commentating on Tipp and Cork a week ago, and Brian Carthy was giving updates from Mayo and London (I think it was Mayo and London). The guy is a class apart, the one that sticks out is his description of events in the Leinster Final last year. It was poetic. Great servant to the GAA and RTE over the years. No way should he be treated like this.

Imagine the outcry if RTE refused to broadcast any Meath games because they disagreed with Geraghty being brought back into the panel?

Or if they refused to broadcast Tyrone games unless Harte dropped Owen Mulligan from the panel?

Same principle at stake

Tis not too long ago that RTE wouldn't be arsed looking for an interview with an Ulster manager! And thats the truth! Is Mulloolly Roscommon or Longford?

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Tis not too long ago that RTE wouldn't be arsed looking for an interview with an Ulster manager! And thats the truth! Is Mulloolly Roscommon or Longford?

Well the oul' fella was the Seanad Cathoirleach under the Primrose and Blue.....Tarmonbarry (Roscommon) gimps..

He's some man alright - looks like the original mould for Action Man ...

Btw - I hear the RTE sports Dept lads are going on strike cos they have been asked to interview the Leitrim manager after the game on Sunday ... They probably (and rightly) reckon their contract only means they have to deal with sport ....

Jayo Cluxton wrote:He's some man alright - looks like the original mould for Action Man ...

Btw - I hear the RTE sports Dept lads are going on strike cos they have been asked to interview the Leitrim manager after the game on Sunday ... They probably (and rightly) reckon their contract only means they have to deal with sport ....

As previously referred to.....Boxty wouldm't be unknown to Eileen Magnier from said RTE...Should the day go as I'm hoping for, expect an assessment from outside
Joe Lowe's on the main evening news....

The converse of course is, "Primrose and Blue fan found in gripe adjacent to Abbey Bar" .....Paul Reynolds breathtakingly reports from Fenagh.**

**A change from Dublin.....

Ah Paul R ... another diamond ...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but that's as far as it should go....Any protest is a disgrace

black&white wrote:
Imagine the outcry if RTE refused to broadcast any Meath games because they disagreed with Geraghty being brought back into the panel?

there wouldnt be many complaints