RTE Panel

[Fixer82]

Controversial, but definitely the right decision. Time they phased out the old guard. They've served their time and are completely out of touch with the modern game.

I think Giles is injured so they're keeping him on the bench as a precaution. If needs be in the last ten minutes if Sadlier starts to wane, Giles can come on as an impact sub.

(on a serious note, I really value Giles' input more than Sadlier's. I think Sadlier is out to make a name for himself by being controversial. Wonder who he learnt that from? Would rather see Eamo dropped but, a bit like Roy, Eamo is box office.)

[KK77]

Yes time for John to move on. He just can't get to grips with the modern game of 15 against 15 and it being played for four hours solid.

[tetsujin1979]

The Irish Sun have started a campaign to get him restored to the panel for Saturday.
Jesus wept.

[Charlie Darwin]

*Irish Daily Star

[tetsujin1979]

Eh, same difference

[bennocelt]

Rather Giles than Brady tbh

[DeLorean]

It was a bit sad listening to John Giles on Off The Ball last night. He was saying he really wanted to do the game and seemed very disappointed that Ryle Nugent didn't contact him directly to explain why he wasn't being picked. Apparently Giles has already met his quota of matches for the year but that was never an issue in the past and he was willing to do the game at no extra cost to RTÉ. There were slightly cringing moments when he implied that the whole country wants him on the panel and almost putting the viewing figures down to himself and the lads, rather than the actual matches, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for him. I know of an elderly man who recently went to have his truck driving licence renewed but it was declined, and with it some of his dignity and self worth, probably being slightly dramatic but it kind of reminded me of that. It probably doesn't help that it's so soon after O'Herlihy passing on in terms of the emotion and nostalgia involved. Giles said that he's only contracted up until August so he genuinely doesn't know what will happen after that.

[EAFC_rdfl]

I do think he adds more than Dunphy and that its him who should be moved to the sideline, but I guess Dunphy's clownery appeals to too many. If dunphy is so up in arms about his sidekick being dropped he should refuse to be on the panel himself in protest

[BonnieShels]

John>Brady> Dunphy

That's how it always has been.

I would especially thought with Bill's poassing they would have done something tomorrow as well.

[backstothewall]

I do think he adds more than Dunphy and that its him who should be moved to the sideline, but I guess Dunphy's clownery appeals to too many. If dunphy is so up in arms about his sidekick being dropped he should refuse to be on the panel himself in protest

I agree about Dunphy having a certain appeal, but Sadlier is the heir apparent to Eamo. Start rotating them by all means, but the obvious swap is Sadlier for Dunphy in buffon corner, while moving Liam into the 'Senior Analyst' chair, and bringing in someone who can talk a bit to sit between them.

[nigel-harps1954]

Kenny Cunningham, Brian Kerr and Richie Sadlier. It's the only way forward.

[seanfhear]

In Football Parlance Giles legs have gone.

In Dunphys Case its: He is deceptive ; More mouth than trousers and How successful he has been with it .

[KK77]

Seems to have been handled badly but sure what would you expect with Ryle Nugent at the wheel.

[nigel-harps1954]

Seems to have been handled badly but sure what would you expect with Ryle Nugent at the wheel.

One could say, Giles was kicked into touch.

[Charlie Darwin]

One could say, Giles was kicked into touch.
Sounds more like he was rucked over.

[Stuttgart88]

John Giles released.

[Real ale Madrid]

Giles is at least consistent in his message unlike Eamonn whose opinion can change between half time and full time and Brady is just biased. I would always tune into to what Giles would have to say. Will be giving the rte coverage a complete skip now - might tune into the radio or something before the match.

[KK77]

One could say, Giles was kicked into touch.

Correct. The fact he mentioned his contract is up in August says it all. He has been on less I have felt in the last six months hence I had a hunch this was coming. I would prefer him to Brady myself.

[seanfhear]

John Giles released.Is this kind of a "PRE" Free Transfer.

I think its time for the old Guard to Go but

Giles should be given a lap of Honour.

Dunphy should be taken out back and disposed of !

[jbyrne]

my own opinion is that brady is far more honest and without the agendas that some of the others have. he predicted a few years ago that we would struggle given the players we have and the others disagreed with him. I think bradys opinion has since been proved much closer to the truth.

Giles is lazy in his preparation and has been relying on the same old stuff for years now. its gotten very tired I am afraid

[bennocelt]

my own opinion is that brady is far more honest and without the agendas that some of the others have. he predicted a few years ago that we would struggle given the players we have and the others disagreed with him. I think bradys opinion has since been proved much closer to the truth.

Giles is lazy in his preparation and has been relying on the same old stuff for years now. its gotten very tired I am afraid

Wasnt too honest when Trap was manager, cringing how he kept praising him right upto the end. FAI head on him and all

[geysir]

Definitely Brady isn't/wasn't objective when it comes to Trap and anything Arsenal, it's a lingering sore issue for him but it's a transparent fault, if you know what I mean, we can take or leave what he says when his emotions are up on those subjects.

[jbyrne]

Wasnt too honest when Trap was manager, cringing how he kept praising him right upto the end. FAI head on him and all

and how have we done post-trap?

[bennocelt]

and how have we done post-trap?

continued in his style of zzzz football

[DeLorean]

25 years ago today (http://pogmogoal.com/video-just-hold-it-there/25-yearsitalia-90-june-17-draw-like-an-egyptian/21434/)

I must really watch the Green is the Colour series, I have them all on disk but haven't got round to it. Are they any good? Eamon is some man for the waterworks.

[BonnieShels]

Yeah. It's a great series. The fact that it starts at the very very beginning with the IFA is something that I really appreciated.

[OwlsFan]

25 years ago today (http://pogmogoal.com/video-just-hold-it-there/25-yearsitalia-90-june-17-draw-like-an-egyptian/21434/)

I must really watch the Green is the Colour series, I have them all on disk but haven't got round to it. Are they any good? Eamon is some man for the waterworks.

Yes, I had it for a year and sat down on the Bank Holiday Monday to watch it from start to finish. The early days of football in Ireland is interesting, based mostly in Belfast, the dominance of Belfast Celtic, and of course Dalymount bursting at the seams for some international games with the lads on the shed. Health and safety didn't exist and it was tragedy waiting to happen which luckily didn't happen. I remember being at those games as a kid, being squashed and lifted off my feet but I still look back on them as magical. As a 12 year old I would set off with my mates from Dundrum and make our way to either Dalyer or Tolka (I remember seeing Ireland playing Iceland there).

The series goes through the team being picked by selectors, Mick Meaghan, Giles, Hand etc A goal being ruled out in Bulgaria for no obvious reason and the heartbreak of Israel and Macedonia. Great stuff. Too much of Dunphy of course but that's what the fast forward button on the remote is for.

The series ends on the optimism before the campaign in Poland in 2012. Sad really.

A great watch.

[Stuttgart88]

Ireland v Italy in '83. Incredible how nobody injured / killed. Ireland v Holland, same year? Everyone missed Gullit's winner as they were looking at the shed roof following the PA guy begging people to get off the roof.

Ireland v Scotland, Ollie Campbell triple crown decider in Dublin (1982?) was positively dangerous too. I was standing in North Terrace and the crush was terrible.

And spectators these days don't have to tippy tap around the river of urine that used to flow down the South Terrace at half time! Dem were the days.

[geysir]

That was luxury :) there was twice the crowd and quarter the turnstiles operating in 1972 v France at Dalymount. There was just a mass of people outside the few open turnstiles on the north end, then it turned into a huge swarm moving hither and thither as one, that the big gates were forced opened. About 10 -15 thousand got in through that gate, added on top of the official attendance. Inside the ground was grand, very tight but grand. I'd say the shared contented feeling was, 'we dodged a bullet out there'.

[samhaydenjr]

25 years ago today (http://pogmogoal.com/video-just-hold-it-there/25-yearsitalia-90-june-17-draw-like-an-egyptian/21434/)

I must really watch the Green is the Colour series, I have them all on disk but haven't got round to it. Are they any good? Eamon is some man for the waterworks.

Here's a memory for you - who remembers the aftermath of the furore and specifically Zig and Zag's send-ups of Giles and Dunphy, where they would play Johnny Styles and Amoan Grumpy and for days on end it always ended with Zig (as Grumpy) chucking a pen across the studio? I think he also used that great Dunphy catchphrase "Ehhh...It was a good game...but it wasn't a great game"

[Stuttgart88]

I was out there but remember hearing about it. Word in Italy was that Dunphy had said he was ashamed to be Irish, whereas I think he had said it was a shameful performance (Egypt).

[OwlsFan]

I remember coming out of the Egyptian game and talking to an Egyptian fan who put no blame on his team for the poor nature of the game and said that it had been up to us to play the football as "a country which had a history of football". He did didn't seem to realise that this was out first World Cup.

[DeLorean]

I'm not sure OwlsFan's convinved that he's toned down the chicken counting!

George Hamilton: The event is unscripted so why should you script what you're going to say (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/george-hamilton-the-event-is-unscripted-so-why-should-you-script-what-youre-going-to-say-338067.html)

[Stuttgart88]

I remember coming out of the Egyptian game and talking to an Egyptian fan who put no blame on his team for the poor nature of the game and said that it had been up to us to play the football as "a country which had a history of football". He did didn't seem to realise that this was out first World Cup.
Yeah but we had players who won European Cups / trophies, Leagues, FA Cups etc. with Liverpool, Celtic, United, Arsenal and Everton, and had even had had a Juventus legend in our ranks until just before the tournament. So, yes, I think it's fair to say we had some history!

[OwlsFan]

Anyone see Apres Match last night? I was at the game and didn't see it. Apparently it was excellent.

[pineapple stu]

Was watching it in the pub - didn't hear all of it, but what I did was great.

1990 themed edition, looking at the peno shoot out v Romania.

Mock 1990 style ads as well.

Next week is 1974 - Ireland 3-0 USSR. So more themed ads, themed hairstyles, themed studios, etc. And a bit of footage too.

[punkrocket]

Blatant Savage Eye rip off of the Goodfellas set piece though, and not done anywhere near as well.
Great mimicry as always.

[DeLorean]

I passed David McSavage pre-match in Rathmines actually, these things are noteworthy if you're not from Dublin. Last time I was up I passed that guy from Fair City that looks like he gels his hair with cement.

[Grafter]

Have to say it was nice to hear Jim Beglin back on tv co-commentary for an Irish game again. Hopefully will return as a permanent fixture for Ireland games now.

[IsMiseSean]

Anyone beats Ronnie Whelan.

[IsMiseSean]

I passed David McSavage pre-match in Rathmines actually, these things are noteworthy if you're not from Dublin. Last time I was up I passed that guy from Fair City that looks like he gels his hair with cement.

I once had the pleasure of seeing Harry from Fair City coming from a Galway GAA game. He was at the height of his womanising prowess at the time.

[backstothewall]

I once had the pleasure of seeing Harry from Fair City coming from a Galway GAA game. He was at the height of his womanising prowess at the time.

Mad Jens Lehmann was about 20ft away from me in the stand working for German telly

[DeLorean]

The Sky Sports commentator's commentary for the goal was more impressive that Hamilton's I must say. I think having Jim back in for Ronnie was the reason we won though.

[elroy]

Have to say it was nice to hear Jim Beglin back on tv co-commentary for an Irish game again. Hopefully will return as a permanent fixture for Ireland games now.

Plus 1. Real passion for the Irish team as well. Good man to let a yelp out on the commentary, did again at the final whistle

[Stuttgart88]

The Sky Sports commentator's commentary for the goal was more impressive that Hamilton's I must say. I think having Jim back in for Ronnie was the reason we won though.
SHANE LONG!!!

Did anyone listen to second captains? They opened with the German commentary.

Unintelligible German prelude. SHANE LONG. BAM!

[tetsujin1979]

I like to think he's expressing his disgust

Shane Long. Bah.

[tetsujin1979]

SHANE LONG!!!

Did anyone listen to second captains? They opened with the German commentary.

they've put it on soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/secondcaptains/shane-long-v-germany-the-commentaries

[DannyInvincible]

Haha, reminds me of the Italian commentary when Robbie equalised in Bari; [mario voice]"Ai, ai, ai, mamma mia!"[/mario voice]

[OwlsFan]

Had chance to watch the game on TV this am. So glad I was at it and didn't have to endure Danger Here Hamilton working out the permutations of our win with 15 minutes to go and "surely that's Germany's last chance". In all his years of commentating he has never learned that it is not over until the fat lady does her bit. So good to hear Jim Beglin rather than the perpetual negativity of Whelan. Had forgotten how close to equalising Germany were a minute after we scored.

I even warmed to Giles (for a few seconds) when he said "It's all rugby at the moment, and good luck to them, but we're soccer people and this is great for soccer".

[OwlsFan]

Watched the Poland game today on RTE today. Ronnie Whelan is such a moaner.

The Panel was the Panel with Dunphy taking the lead from his hero, Giles. What was unusual is that Dunphy got very aggressive with Darragh Maloney when he dared question one of his thesis and stated because he (Darragh) never played football, he hadn't clue what he was talking about. He never said that to Bill. Brady had to make peace and act as chairman and to move the topic on. Watch this space. Will Dunphy succeed in silencing Maloney ?