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Donal O'Gs Comments On Football In General And The TC In Particular

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I think both JC and Donal Og came across poorly. It was strange timing on her part to bring it up on a day that was exclusively for Hurling, and it wasn't a topic that needed addressing as though he had brought the show into disrupte and needed to make a grovelling apology. It was poor from Donal Og that he wasn't willing to offer any response to the questions being asked, and makes me think that he isn't going to be appearing on TSG much longer.

PK57 (Louth) - Posts: 1653 - 22/05/2023 12:19:00    2480446

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I think what transpired yesterday is the latest in a range of how gaa coverage and punditry has detiorated over the last decade. RTE needs to review its coverage and the product on offer to the public. Pundits like DOG being allowed to go on a rant about football should not be tolerated. What he said about the football structure applies even more to the hurling landscape. The hurling structure isn't working as is proven, with comments from john mullane highlighting issues with the munster and leinster championships. If DOG was doing his job properly; he would be discussing how to fix the hurling championship.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1910 - 22/05/2023 12:53:47    2480473

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Cusack came across very badly. Quite aggressive in accusing JC of not quoting him properly (she actually did). It was a legitimate question to ask of someone employed by the show given the furore caused by his comments in the days prior. The notion that you can't discuss a nasty swipe taken by an RTE employee during a hurling podcast because you are somehow only supposed to discuss hurling on muster hurling championship day, is as laughable as it is hypocritical. God be with the days when you could admit you stuck your foot in your mouth, apologise and have a good laugh and move on.

LongfordgaaAbú (Longford) - Posts: 471 - 22/05/2023 13:00:49    2480480

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Replying To PK57:  "I think both JC and Donal Og came across poorly. It was strange timing on her part to bring it up on a day that was exclusively for Hurling, and it wasn't a topic that needed addressing as though he had brought the show into disrupte and needed to make a grovelling apology. It was poor from Donal Og that he wasn't willing to offer any response to the questions being asked, and makes me think that he isn't going to be appearing on TSG much longer."
They were on the sideline at a Tailteann Cup game at the time - I think the question was fair enough in that context. And he's not a random hurling pundit, he's the President of the GPA.

TheHuckleBuck (Galway) - Posts: 24 - 22/05/2023 13:18:52    2480491

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Replying To ecad123:  "Like in fairness there is not that much to football, the only thing it has is that almost any one can play it as the skill set is not very high, if you are athletic and fast then you are set, like I myself can't stand the way football has gone, like where is the skill in handpassing? And in fairness that's what 95% of the game is now, even points and goals are hand passes it's nearly a cure for insomnia!"
Precisely what we'd expect from a hurling snob.

StopTheLights (Galway) - Posts: 343 - 22/05/2023 13:37:14    2480501

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I found the start of the Sunday game live uncomfortable! Licking my chops at a good day of hurling and then the tic tok cup takes centre stage! It was like social media hitting live TV!
I expect that usually everyone on those panels have an idea of what's going to be asked. They are meant to work as a team. Regardless of how bad Donal Ogs and JC's response was - Cantwell was on a solo run. It was car crash TV and when that happens, the host is accountable..

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 22/05/2023 13:38:01    2480502

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Replying To Galway9801:  "Why do i get the feeling that if a hurling man from kilkenny or tipp used the exact same logic to justify ignoring football you'd lose the plot?"
Fact Checker.............. Tipp is actually a good footballing county.

StopTheLights (Galway) - Posts: 343 - 22/05/2023 13:38:58    2480503

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Replying To points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet:  "Well. I can box. and cycle. and swim. and play squash. and play Gaelic football. and play soccer. And tennis. I even played cricket a few times (admittedly when drunk). I also ski. And run. I also do a bit of car rallying.

I great crack out of all of them, but am poor at most of them and, at best, average at a couple of them. No big deal, it's all good fun.

But I'd never be either arrogant enough or dumb enough go about saying that "boxing is easy because sure anyone can throw a few punches outside the pub on a Friday night"; or that "car rallying is easy because sure everyone can drive" etc etc.

If for example you put me in with e.g., a proper boxer, I'd be flattened inside 3 minutes, and I wouldn't have laid a glove on him, unless I cheated. There's a world of difference between being able to play a sport at a functional basic level, and being top flight at it. The step up from even competent to top class is almost like playing a different sport altogether.

Anyone fit can play most sports to a basic level. But even rugby guys struggled with high fielding. Remember the Mickey Ned O'Sullivan toured a number of South African Super 14 clubs giving advice on high-fielding three years ago.

If you reckon football is that easy, let us know what county football team you regularly starred for then, eh? Or was it all beneath you lol"
Very well said!!!

StopTheLights (Galway) - Posts: 343 - 22/05/2023 13:41:18    2480505

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Replying To LongfordgaaAbú:  "Cusack came across very badly. Quite aggressive in accusing JC of not quoting him properly (she actually did). It was a legitimate question to ask of someone employed by the show given the furore caused by his comments in the days prior. The notion that you can't discuss a nasty swipe taken by an RTE employee during a hurling podcast because you are somehow only supposed to discuss hurling on muster hurling championship day, is as laughable as it is hypocritical. God be with the days when you could admit you stuck your foot in your mouth, apologise and have a good laugh and move on."
Aggressive - that's the word.

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 22/05/2023 14:06:59    2480515

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Replying To slayer:  "I also thought he was very rude. I'd say she was asked to raise this matter by RTE head honchos. He deflected, distracted and refused to stand over his comments. Asking her to listen to him live is just arrogant.

Would Daly or Canning have gotten away with talking to her like that?"
Daly and Canning have too much class for that behavior.
How weak can you get.... Joanne quoted Cusack directly, then he whines that he was misquoted to avoid addressing or apologizing for his idiotic statement.
He sees himself as the hurling Messiah, he's actually the opposite.

StopTheLights (Galway) - Posts: 343 - 22/05/2023 14:07:30    2480517

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Replying To StopTheLights:  "Fact Checker.............. Tipp is actually a good footballing county."
And have numerous Munster and AI titles to prove it.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11842 - 22/05/2023 14:11:45    2480519

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I think what transpired yesterday is the latest in a range of how gaa coverage and punditry has detiorated over the last decade. RTE needs to review its coverage and the product on offer to the public. Pundits like DOG being allowed to go on a rant about football should not be tolerated. What he said about the football structure applies even more to the hurling landscape. The hurling structure isn't working as is proven, with comments from john mullane highlighting issues with the munster and leinster championships. If DOG was doing his job properly; he would be discussing how to fix the hurling championship."
Westmeath have only participated in half the round robins that Waterford have and have already picked up more points overall.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11842 - 22/05/2023 14:16:24    2480524

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Replying To PK57:  "I think both JC and Donal Og came across poorly. It was strange timing on her part to bring it up on a day that was exclusively for Hurling, and it wasn't a topic that needed addressing as though he had brought the show into disrupte and needed to make a grovelling apology. It was poor from Donal Og that he wasn't willing to offer any response to the questions being asked, and makes me think that he isn't going to be appearing on TSG much longer."
It wasn't strange timing. What Dónal Óg said about the Tailteann Cup had been the main topic of discussion in GAA circles and in the GAA media last week. It would have been remiss of RTÉ and Joanne Cantwell not to raise the issue. Dónal Óg's response was both evasive and obnoxious.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 22/05/2023 14:38:34    2480542

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Replying To Ban:  "I found the start of the Sunday game live uncomfortable! Licking my chops at a good day of hurling and then the tic tok cup takes centre stage! It was like social media hitting live TV!
I expect that usually everyone on those panels have an idea of what's going to be asked. They are meant to work as a team. Regardless of how bad Donal Ogs and JC's response was - Cantwell was on a solo run. It was car crash TV and when that happens, the host is accountable.."
Joanne Cantwell did her job and she did it very well.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 22/05/2023 14:44:03    2480545

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Was it just me who thought that Donal Og might have as well just said the same thing about any of the other hurling tiers. His point was if its not the top competition then its a waste of time.
I'm shocked he hasnt got the boot to be honest. Seems to be doing all he can to **** everyone off at this stage.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 22/05/2023 14:55:51    2480555

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I think what transpired yesterday is the latest in a range of how gaa coverage and punditry has detiorated over the last decade. RTE needs to review its coverage and the product on offer to the public. Pundits like DOG being allowed to go on a rant about football should not be tolerated. What he said about the football structure applies even more to the hurling landscape. The hurling structure isn't working as is proven, with comments from john mullane highlighting issues with the munster and leinster championships. If DOG was doing his job properly; he would be discussing how to fix the hurling championship."
If DOG wanted to help hurling then he should make sure he is informed. There was a hurling development manager in place from 2016 to 2021 and he did great work. It's why the Celtic Challenge was set up. I know that two new clubs in Sligo are set to field at adult level soon. The next step should be fixing the U20 structure and getting more clubs to take up youth hurling. Donal Og could step up and apply for the role.

Munster hurling on TV isn't going to help the promotion of hurling in Ulster or Connacht. Neither are unworkable ideas like a Team Ulster.

Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 738 - 22/05/2023 15:09:07    2480569

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Replying To Greengrass:  "Joanne Cantwell did her job and she did it very well."
What do you think her job is?

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 22/05/2023 15:26:26    2480581

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Replying To tiobraid:  "Was it just me who thought that Donal Og might have as well just said the same thing about any of the other hurling tiers. His point was if its not the top competition then its a waste of time.
I'm shocked he hasnt got the boot to be honest. Seems to be doing all he can to **** everyone off at this stage."
The first thing Donal Og said after the Joe McDonagh final last year was that the standard was poor. The two Tipp pundits (Sheedy and Cummins) are much better.

Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 738 - 22/05/2023 15:39:17    2480586

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Funny how Donal Og can give it out but gets very defensive when
asked a question himself.

He could have done a quick "I should have expressed it better" but
he ran away from the question.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 22/05/2023 16:02:50    2480593

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Replying To Ban:  "What do you think her job is?"
Eh she presents The Sunday Game. Dónal Óg disparaged the Tailteann Cup twice. When asked the question he didn't even have the bottle to stand over his remarks.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 22/05/2023 16:52:37    2480620

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