Rugby

[Shaz]

Yes, GSTQ ringing round Croke will be a moment to remember :lol:

I was thinking that they ought to get Mr Lydon to lead the singing. And I don't mean Joe.

[Shaz]

The standard of football commentary and summary generally is pants. I'd definitely hire Firehazard's cat

She's expensive, but she's worth it. Very perceptive, she is. Though she is Welsh, and sometimes a bit biased...

I wouldn't want to be without Sky, simply because so much is only available on it. Some of the commentary/analysis is ok, but you're right, a lot of it is just not up to standard. Yes, partly it's the "old pals" act, I'd guess. But partly it's just a lack of insight and ability. There seem to be very few who are good enough both to have played the game and to comment intelligently on it.

I'll have to get that book. That was my dream job back in the 70s. Well, at the times when I wasn't wanting to be a rock star.

Oh, and Robinson is still writing his letter today, it seems...

Oh, I bet we can scrape together some fish scraps to keep your cat happy in her new job

I had cable for a couple of years, but eventually decided it wasn't worth the money. I don't watch films, and only seemed to be watching news and sport. I've got digital now, and can have Sky News or News 24 on in the background all the time. The thing that puts me off getting Sky is the thought that as soon as I get it, they'll start making everything i want to see (cricket, rugby), pay-per-view!

[Shaz]

And I'm still waiting for the sky to fall because of these poncy English games being let into Croke Park Never been there, but I was looking on the website and it looks like amazing facilities.

I must admit I won't believe it myself until it happens. Just as well we have the french first. If God Save the Queen was the first anthem to be played there.......well. I have to admit I can't wait. I go to all the soccer internationals as well. Used to stand on the terrace but they are no more. It's going to be 80 euro a ticket as opposed to 25 for gold old landsdowne but then there will actually be facilities at croke park for the spectators. Hope the atmosphere does'nt change cause of the seating though but we shall see.

I had to explain to my mum on Sunday why there were two Irish anthems -- she couldn't understand why half the team weren't singing the first one

Yes, GSTQ ringing round Croke will be a moment to remember :lol:

or to forget.
there isnt two irish anthems, only one, irelands call is just a rugby song

Yeah, more likely to forget And wasn't Ireland's Call written by some folkie?

[Mark_Wafc]

The TV summarisers make me want to throw something at the screen. There should be a law again Alan Shearer

Oh Yeah. Nearly everyone on Sky makes me want to carry out acts of mindless violence. Jamie Redknapp just rots my h**e. We are quite lucky in Ireland that we have Johnny Giles & Liam Brady. They tell it exactly as they see it. None of that 'great game' crap when it's not. Giles hates diving and hence hates Ronaldo and Drogba and says as much. It makes for fantastic telly and he is only saying what every normal person is thinking. Can you imagine him on Sky.

We do have George Hook for the rugby and he just likes to say anything that will get people thick. But Grant Pope is there as well and he is excellent. Again, no shite, just good common sense.

The standard of football commentary and summary generally is pants. I'd definitely hire Firehazard's cat Sometimes I'm very thankful that I don't have Sky

The worst by far is athletics. I'm sure Colin Jackson is a lovely guy, but the only person worse than him is the dreadful Sally Gunnell, and they finally gave her the push. I used to scream at the TV when they described her as a reporter and she appeared track-side asking the most inane questions. I have never recovered from that occasion where Kelly Holmes ranted about drug-taking after she'd been beaten into second or third place. Gunnell totally ignored this and started asking her some really trivial, bland question.

Thing is with all these summarisers is that most have played the game too recently and all the mates are still competing and they don't want to upset them. And I know people take the piss out of journalists, but you do need to be taught how to interview and how to write or to see what's a good story.

I've just finished reading Brian Viner's Ali, Pele, Lillee and Me and really recommend it if you are over 40 It's a nostalgic look at a sports-mad kid growing up in the 1970s who then became a journalist. He talks a lot about commentators, and it makes you realise just how good people like Richie Benaud and Peter O'Sullivan were.

The worst commentary on any Sport is without doubt the two clowns that do all the Super League Rugby League games for Sky TV.

No wonder Rugby League is treated as a joke in anywhere apart from Lancashire Yorkshire and Brentford!

"Its T R Y time folks" its like a bad mans American Football

[firehazard]

The thing that puts me off getting Sky is the thought that as soon as I get it, they'll start making everything i want to see (cricket, rugby), pay-per-view!

Yeah... I've never watched anything at home that's pay-per-view. It's still just about worth it, I think, for the amount of sport that you can get on it. Though sometimes you have to turn the commentary volume down. Or off. If cricket and rugby goes to pay-per-view, that would probably be the end of Sky for me.

Oh, "Ireland's Call" was written by Phil Coulter, I think.

[Shaz]

The worst commentary on any Sport is without doubt the two clowns that do all the Super League Rugby League games for Sky TV.

No wonder Rugby League is treated as a joke in anywhere apart from Lancashire Yorkshire and Brentford!

"Its T R Y time folks" its like a bad mans American Football

Oh gawd, glad I'm spared that! What, worse than Eddie Waring, if you're old enough to remember him?

"Eeeehhh, it's an oop an' oonder!"

I watch rugby league without every really getting into it. I know it's a more fluid game than union, but I like the scrums and the lineouts and the fact you've got blokes of all different shapes playing. Except that I do wonder if union is moving towards the uniform 6ft 2" and 14 stone player in every position as well!

Gloucester have not long signed Karl Pryce (who is definitely union-sized!) He made his A team debut this week and scored a try.

[Mark_Wafc]

The thing that puts me off getting Sky is the thought that as soon as I get it, they'll start making everything i want to see (cricket, rugby), pay-per-view!

Yeah... I've never watched anything at home that's pay-per-view. It's still just about worth it, I think, for the amount of sport that you can get on it. Though sometimes you have to turn the commentary volume down. Or off. If cricket and rugby goes to pay-per-view, that would probably be the end of Sky for me.

I dont think Pay Per View has caught on the way Sky thought it might have done a few years ago.

I think Cricket and Rugby will be alright, just like there are not as many Football Games on Prem Plus as the last few seasons

[Bud Byrne]

Yeah... I've never watched anything at home that's pay-per-view. It's still just about worth it, I think, for the amount of sport that you can get on it. Though sometimes you have to turn the commentary volume down. Or off. If cricket and rugby goes to pay-per-view, that would probably be the end of Sky for me.

Oh, "Ireland's Call" was written by Phil Coulter, I think.[/quote]

Sky have the rights to all the Heineken cup matches this year involving Irish teams as well. Up to now they were shown on RTE. The panel wore black arm bands at Thomond Park for the last game of last season. It's just not the same on SKY. Can't see 'minority' sports like cricket and rugby going pay-per-view. Just not enough of an audience I think.

And yes, Phil Coulter did write Ireland's call. It is sang with gusto at each match.

[Mark_Wafc]

The worst commentary on any Sport is without doubt the two clowns that do all the Super League Rugby League games for Sky TV.

No wonder Rugby League is treated as a joke in anywhere apart from Lancashire Yorkshire and Brentford!

"Its T R Y time folks" its like a bad mans American Football

Oh gawd, glad I'm spared that! What, worse than Eddie Waring, if you're old enough to remember him?

"Eeeehhh, it's an oop an' oonder!"

I watch rugby league without every really getting into it. I know it's a more fluid game than union, but I like the scrums and the lineouts and the fact you've got blokes of all different shapes playing. Except that I do wonder if union is moving towards the uniform 6ft 2" and 14 stone player in every position as well!

Gloucester have not long signed Karl Pryce (who is definitely union-sized!) He made his A team debut this week and scored a try.

Im not really into League to be honest, but living in Wigan its hard to avoid the darn thing.

They try and preach the gospel of Rugby League (as they call it) to the masses but it's never caught on and i dont think it willl!

"Big Hits Eddie my friend, Big Hits" everytime there is a decent tackle.

You couldnt make it up!!!

Leon Pryce played for Bradford didnt he?

[Niall]

The worst commentary on any Sport is without doubt the two clowns that do all the Super League Rugby League games for Sky TV.

No wonder Rugby League is treated as a joke in anywhere apart from Lancashire Yorkshire and Brentford!

"Its T R Y time folks" its like a bad mans American Football

Oh gawd, glad I'm spared that! What, worse than Eddie Waring, if you're old enough to remember him?

"Eeeehhh, it's an oop an' oonder!"

I watch rugby league without every really getting into it. I know it's a more fluid game than union, but I like the scrums and the lineouts and the fact you've got blokes of all different shapes playing. Except that I do wonder if union is moving towards the uniform 6ft 2" and 14 stone player in every position as well!

Gloucester have not long signed Karl Pryce (who is definitely union-sized!) He made his A team debut this week and scored a try.

Im not really into League to be honest, but living in Wigan its hard to avoid the darn thing.

They try and preach the gospel of Rugby League (as they call it) to the masses but it's never caught on and i dont think it willl!

"Big Hits Eddie my friend, Big Hits" everytime there is a decent tackle.

You couldnt make it up!!!

Leon Pryce played for Bradford didnt he?

yeah, im sure he did. on the subject of league, i used to hate watching it, but i reckon its a much better game than union. club union is much more similar to league than international union i reckon

[Shaz]

Yeah... I've never watched anything at home that's pay-per-view. It's still just about worth it, I think, for the amount of sport that you can get on it. Though sometimes you have to turn the commentary volume down. Or off. If cricket and rugby goes to pay-per-view, that would probably be the end of Sky for me.

Sky have the rights to all the Heineken cup matches this year involving Irish teams as well. Up to now they were shown on RTE. The panel wore black arm bands at Thomond Park for the last game of last season. It's just not the same on SKY. Can't see 'minority' sports like cricket and rugby going pay-per-view. Just not enough of an audience I think.

I wonder how much Sky thought about it after the England Ashes win But I think they've missed the boat now.

[Shaz]

Leon Pryce played for Bradford didnt he?

Yeah. Karl is little (6ft 6" ) brother. Gloucester funded the transfer themselves, so there's not the pressure from the RFU there is/was with Andy Farrell to get him into the team. Sounds like he might be on the bench at the weekend.

[firehazard]

Can't see 'minority' sports like cricket and rugby going pay-per-view. Just not enough of an audience I think.

I wonder how much Sky thought about it after the England Ashes win But I think they've missed the boat now.

Well I'm glad I didn't pay any extra to watch the first test...

[Shaz]

Can't see 'minority' sports like cricket and rugby going pay-per-view. Just not enough of an audience I think.

I wonder how much Sky thought about it after the England Ashes win But I think they've missed the boat now.

Well I'm glad I didn't pay any extra to watch the first test...

I'd want my money back

[firehazard]

on the subject of league, i used to hate watching it, but i reckon its a much better game than union.

I've never got into League, maybe I was affected by too much Eddie Waring in my childhood.
I'd agree with Shaz, I do miss the scrums and lineouts. Though Union are about to make changes to the scrum, anyway.

Robinson has finally finished his resignation letter. The reason it took so long was that apparently he spent ages trying to work out six different ways to say "old farts".