This is a bizarre story. Some prominent GAA managers are boycotting RTÉ (as in not giving interviews) in protest about their treatment of Brian Carthy.
Carthy to me is a poor commentator. He does ok as a GAA reporter (but only just ok) but he’s awful at the live stuff. He misses too much, guesses too much, his phrases are repetitive etc. I’m not saying the alternatives are great but I don’t think Carthy is much use as a commentator at all. But the more important point really is what has any of this got to do with intercounty managers?
[indent]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. [/indent]
:lol: