MNS (Monday Night Soccer)

[cornerflag]

Anyone got the link where I can watch it

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/mns/

[jebus]

But the point I was making is that why are you consistently saying its won't attract anyone new?

Has anybody who posted actually said it would? No, we all hope it might.

Why are you so negatoive about it? Why not just say "decent show, could do with blah, blhah" rather than already giving up on the league....

Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were the guy who said he wasn't a fan of the eL, just of Pats, when the other side of League of Ireland asked why we aren't even being given 2 minutes on the show? Why pray tell should I give a **** about a show that isn't aimed at me or my fellow First Division supporters?

Anyway that's besides the point, I'm posting up my reaction to tonights show, and my comments are directed towards people who have said that this show is about attracting new supporters to the League of Ireland (like you). I say it won't have that effect because the actual match highlights (note I have said it was a good effort by RTE in the studio)are rubbish in comparison to what the barstooler is used to. Then they will see things like council houses behind one of Drogs goals, a practically empty stand at Terryland, and empty hills at the Belfield Bowl and think that the eL is an inferior product to what they already support.

If this show is aimed at LoI fans, then my main gripe is that they have cut off quite a sizeable number of us by not bothering with the First Division

[Dodge]

If this show is aimed at LoI fans, then my main gripe is that they have cut off quite a sizeable number of us by not bothering with the First Division

Sizeable?

Sorry, easy joke. Not funny I know...

The showed isn't aimed at any group. Its aimed at football fans. Loads will watch it because its football. Others will watch it because its LOI football.

Its not perfect, buts reading the reactions here, its been unanimously positive.

For the record, I couldn't give a toss about "barstoolers" and despise the word. I realise most people in Ireland couldn't care less about the league, and it doesn't really bother me. I'd prefer if we had more fans, and maybe this will help.

[Mento]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/mns/


Cheers, is there anyway of making the screen bigger?

[BohsPartisan]

Is it going to be on the RTE website? Missed it tonight. :(

[dfx-]

Yes, sorry for not masturbating throughout the show tonight and coming on here to tell the tale, apologies to one and all :rolleyes:

Apology not accepted.

I couldn't stomach showcasing First Division football when we were winning the thing.

Excellent programme as a first attempt I thought. Copying more successful programming is no fault.

[Ceirtlis]

Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were the guy who said he wasn't a fan of the eL, just of Pats, when the other side of League of Ireland asked why we aren't even being given 2 minutes on the show? Why pray tell should I give a **** about a show that isn't aimed at me or my fellow First Division supporters?

Anyway that's besides the point, I'm posting up my reaction to tonights show, and my comments are directed towards people who have said that this show is about attracting new supporters to the League of Ireland (like you). I say it won't have that effect because the actual match highlights (note I have said it was a good effort by RTE in the studio)are rubbish in comparison to what the barstooler is used to. Then they will see things like council houses behind one of Drogs goals, a practically empty stand at Terryland, and empty hills at the Belfield Bowl and think that the eL is an inferior product to what they already support.

If this show is aimed at LoI fans, then my main gripe is that they have cut off quite a sizeable number of us by not bothering with the First Division

Well seen as there are only about 50000 people in the country who regularly attend loi games and i think the viewing figures for a program in that slot would be somewhat higher id say it is aimed more at sports fans than just loi fans. First division might get covered later in the year but i hope they dont show it as a token effort with footage from some fellas new phone.
Is the comment about the council houses for real?

[GT blue]

thought it was quite good for a first show much better than tv3,hopefully they will keep improving it during the season.on a selfish note would love even just the goals from first division

[sonofstan]

whats Chris Turner's favourite position etc.

Thanks to a camera phone in a hotel room last summer, most Bohs fans already know the answer to this one, unfortunately.

[dcfcsteve]

If this show is aimed at LoI fans, then my main gripe is that they have cut off quite a sizeable number of us by not bothering with the First Division

Dry yer eyes.

The First Division is poor football played in poor grounds in front of woeful crowds. It is worse than the Premier Division on every count. We need to show the best facets of our league on national TV - not the poorest.

That is why it won't get shown. And very few care...

[cheifo]

Had it taped and just watched it.Lads I have to say I thought it was excellant and I'm not going to nit pick because as an EL supporter this is something I will really look forward to watching every week.Its not easy to be the anchor man in a live show so well done to Con Murphy and panel(yes even Roddy!) who looked like they actually enjoyed being there.
I can understand supporters of division one teams wanting some coverage and I hope they get it during the year.
Good studio and graphics and it came acrooss that there is a real sense of purpose in making this work.
Yes there are some things I would change or add but lets give credit where its due.

[Macy]

I thought it was okay - I don't really mind it being a rip off of MOTD2, Heineken Cup Roadshow, Park Live etc really, although as I said in the other thread if they're going for the blokey banter they should have some fans in studio.

Major plus is the time it's on compared to eircom league weekly. Footage a lot better too.

60 second effort was crap. Raiders of the Lost Archive was crap, but as an idea it could be good if it focussed on one game/event, and further back than the last few seasons. Unless RTE have taped over every bit of LoI footage from the past?

Not having the upcoming fixtures for the first was a major dissappointment, and would it really have been much harm to pass some comment on the results? Maybe as the season goes on the promotion challengers emerge they could do a bit more on the first in terms of features or footage of top games.

[Macy]

The First Division is poor football played in poor grounds in front of woeful crowds. It is worse than the Premier Division on every count. We need to show the best facets of our league on national TV - not the poorest.
Would some of the games/ grounds in the first really have looked worse than Belfield Bowl, United Park? Maybe it's where they have the camera's in those grounds, but on a highlights basis they looked poor... Again, I don't necessarily think there should be full coverage of the first, but quality of the grounds is a spurious argument given the state of some in the premier.

[jebus]

Dry yer eyes.

The First Division is poor football played in poor grounds in front of woeful crowds. It is worse than the Premier Division on every count. We need to show the best facets of our league on national TV - not the poorest.

That is why it won't get shown. And very few care...

Some First Division grounds look better than their Premier counterparts, some First Division games draw more fans than Premier games, the standard is muck in each division.....next

[WoodquayBoy]

I thought it was a very good programme, no Osam, no welsh, reasonable hour, more relaxed pundits, proper commentary in the highlights.
I couldn;t care less what parts of what programme they copied for it, fact is it appears they have made an effort. The Sixty thing is awful, but still interesting - what are Pats paying their players if Guy is stuck with a Honda 94? As the lads said, no wonder the Pats players don't get attention from birds if they are driving 14 year old cars!
Oh, and Roddy eiother posts here or reads here, but he also mentionjed the Spurs-Arsenal sleeve clash when talking about the disgraceful behaviour of Buttimer in Inchicore.

[Redie]

Originally Posted by jebus
the show will only confirm to barstoolers what they previously thought, the standard isn't great, the matches are played in front of empty stands (or no stands at all) and that not much has changed in the Eircom League in the past few years.

Last night’s MNS show was preceded by ‘Against The Head’, a similar production for Rugby and it shows highlights of club games that are played in a fields with a rope around the pitch and nobody but the subs and coaches at the game but when do you ever hear of anyone suggesting these highlights should not be shown on the telly, similarly for Basketball, live matches shown in empty halls but again who would dare suggest it is a joke to televise these games. Your criticisms and nasty comments just epitomise the anti Irish soccer attitude that prevails in this country and nothing will ever change that mindset.

[jebus]

Nobody cares about parish rugby or basketball, what's your point in equating them with League of Ireland football?

[cudsy1]

i enjoyed it, good start, hopefully some people wit no interest in the league will watch it out of boredom/lack of alternatives

[Lim till i die]

The First Division is poor football played in poor grounds in front of woeful crowds. It is worse than the Premier Division on every count.


The standard is absolute $hite in both divisions when seen through normal people eyes (That's right, I call them normies). You can't make a silk purse out of the sows ear that is the League of Ireland.

As for the grounds

Belfield Bowl??

United Park??

St. Colmans??

The Carlisle Grounds??

No One, but No One is going to watch that programme and say "Hmm, you know what, that's actually pretty class looking, I must start going to that"

If you're lucky, you might pick up the odd wierdo for the league along the way but by and large people will watch this show like they watch the kayaking on transworld sport.

[el punter]

Just watched it this morning having watched the Setanta game last night instead.

I thought it was outstanding. It's a million miles better than anything we've ever had before on the LOI. RTE take a long overdue bow.

[eirebhoy]

Excellent show. Even Roddy was decent. They should stick with those panelists for a few weeks anyway. STV (ITV Scotland) have a highlights package for the SPL and it isn't a patch on that. The fact they always have different pundits on is annoying because it's hard to tell who knows their stuff and who to listen to.

I don't know if it's been mentioned but the only negative was that when they were analysing the match after showing the highlights they didn't replay any of the incidents.

[Jofspring]

Really enjoyed the show,a million times better than eircom league weekly. On the first division thing, yes the standard is obviously poorer in the first than premier but it would be nice to get some promotion for the first division. It needs it as much if not alot more than the premier. I'm sure there will be some sort of coverage of it over the season. Will be very dissapointed if there isn't. I would have thought they would have at least showed some of the Dundalk Shelbourne game even though it did finish 0-0.

[Redie]

Originally Posted by jebus
Nobody cares about parish rugby or basketball, what's your point in equating them with League of Ireland football?

My point is you never hear anyone criticising television coverage of these sports on the basis that they are played in front of tiny crowds in under developed venues with no stands, etc. etc.

[cudsy1]

If you're lucky, you might pick up the odd wierdo for the league along the way


brilliant!

[Mr A]

I thought the show was excellent- a really good start and a real step forward over anything that has gone previously.

I don't see what harm having the goals from a selected few of the first division games each week would be. There wouldn't be any great difference in standard or spectacle with many of the premier games. That said, just having cameras at all premier games is a huge step forward.

[dcfcsteve]

The standard is absolute $hite in both divisions when seen through normal people eyes (That's right, I call them normies). You can't make a silk purse out of the sows ear that is the League of Ireland.

As for the grounds

Belfield Bowl??

United Park??

St. Colmans??

The Carlisle Grounds??

No One, but No One is going to watch that programme and say "Hmm, you know what, that's actually pretty class looking, I must start going to that"

If you're lucky, you might pick up the odd wierdo for the league along the way but by and large people will watch this show like they watch the kayaking on transworld sport.

Which rant leaves us with two possible conclusions :

1) Stop showing any EL, as it's all muck.

2) Show First Division as well, despiute the fact that it's even greater muck than the Premier.

Neither option would improve the programme.

The First Division will receive scant coverage at best,a nd rightly so. The only ones who ever cry about seeing it are those who's clubs are stuck there - and they change their tune quickly when they get promoted. So worry abotu your club getting out of the basement league, not about making a TV show even less attractive to your proverbial 'normies'....

[Mr A]

and they change their tune quickly when they get promoted.

Not in my case anyway, nor from many of the Cobh and Harps fans who expressed their views on this. I have always believed that the coverage needs to be spread more evenly for the good of the league overall. How the hell are the clubs in the first meant to catch up if they're excluded from everything? It like punching a guys teeth out and then kicking him in the nuts for mumbling. The current top clubs are not the be all and end all of the league and spreading things around a little, like TV coverage and prizemoney would be a positive thing.

[Lim till i die]

2) Show First Division as well, despiute the fact that it's even greater muck than the Premier.


To deal with the part of your post which isn't you having a big cry:

Do you honestly, honestly believe that the highlights of goals from Tolka Park, Oriel Park, Athlone Town, The RSC or Flancare Park will look significantly worse than the highlights of goals from the Belfield Bowl, Colmans, Finn Park etc, etc??

[GuisaSaigon]

Thought it was the best LOI show ever produced, which wouldn't be too hard. it was well put together, presenters were decent. The Archive section could go back a bit further but im sure they are working on that. Well done RTE!

[Mr A]

Do you honestly, honestly believe that the highlights of goals from Tolka Park, Oriel Park, Athlone Town, The RSC or Flancare Park will look significantly worse than the highlights of goals from the Belfield Bowl, Colmans, Finn Park etc, etc??

There's the logical next step you see, soon only the top 6 premier clubs will be deserving of coverage, then maybe the top two. Provided their face fits of course.

[jebus]

Not in my case anyway, nor from many of the Cobh and Harps fans who expressed their views on this. I have always believed that the coverage needs to be spread more evenly for the good of the league overall. How the hell are the clubs in the first meant to catch up if they're excluded from everything? It like punching a guys teeth out and then kicking in the nuts for mumbling. The current top clubs are not the be all and end all of the league and spreading things around a little, like TV coverage and prizemoney would be a positive thing.

Sensible poster alert!!

[Bunny Kelly]

anyone having problems watchin it over the web, I keep getting an error every time I tried this morning

[Daragh]

I watched this last night. I'd put myself down as a GAA and Rugby fan ahead of football and I certainly have no interest in the soap opera that is English football. A little over a decade ago I lived in Drumcondra and on occasion would go to see Shelbourne but it was a very rare thing. Since then I've been to a couple of Shelbourne's champions league games but that would be it. I used to watch all the Irish international games but lost interest as the team lost all direction. With Trap as manager I'm very interested again. After seeing MNS last night I'm very interested in going to see some eircom league action.

I was talking to a friend who also saw it last night. We both have season tickets for Leinster Rugby so our Friday nights are tied up until the end of the Magners League but after that we'll be hoping to head to one of the grounds in Dublin to watch some football. We may even get in a few games when Leinster are away or when the Heineken Cup is on. We just have to decide who to go and see. I'd like to see a premier league team as we can then watch them and their opponents through the season on MNS but he's pushing for Sporting Fingal as they're new and half way between us both. I think we'll settle for going to anyone and everyone this season before making a final decision.

I have no football pedigree as I grew up swimming and practicing martial arts. My mate and I both played American Football for years in Dublin and neither of us ever played football for a club. I never played rugby either and am well used to the attitude of the "real" fans so I would expect to encounter more of the same with the eircom league. I couldn't give a toss though. I'm only posting this to answer those who said it wouldn't draw anyone to the games and point out that it's drawing at least two and probably more once we rope a few more people into coming along.

[bray boy]

that right there is brilliant well done mns

[Magicme]

Is it repeated at any late night/early morning time this week? Raging I missed it. Will series link it for next week.

Of course I would like to see a small bit on the First Division but I dont think it warrants taking up a big chunk of the show. Just maybe choose one game each week in first division and show a few minutes of it there as well as giving the first division table/results an airing so that people are reminded that there is another league. We cant possibly expect RTE to go from no cameras at games to cameras at every first division game. They need to walk before they can run and from what am reading here they have learned to skip already.

But when Mons are in the premier next season I do expect them to give us loads and loads of coverage!! :D

[LeixlipRed]

I watched this last night. I'd put myself down as a GAA and Rugby fan ahead of football and I certainly have no interest in the soap opera that is English football. A little over a decade ago I lived in Drumcondra and on occasion would go to see Shelbourne but it was a very rare thing. Since then I've been to a couple of Shelbourne's champions league games but that would be it. I used to watch all the Irish international games but lost interest as the team lost all direction. With Trap as manager I'm very interested again. After seeing MNS last night I'm very interested in going to see some eircom league action.

I was talking to a friend who also saw it last night. We both have season tickets for Leinster Rugby so our Friday nights are tied up until the end of the Magners League but after that we'll be hoping to head to one of the grounds in Dublin to watch some football. We may even get in a few games when Leinster are away or when the Heineken Cup is on. We just have to decide who to go and see. I'd like to see a premier league team as we can then watch them and their opponents through the season on MNS but he's pushing for Sporting Fingal as they're new and half way between us both. I think we'll settle for going to anyone and everyone this season before making a final decision.

I have no football pedigree as I grew up swimming and practicing martial arts. My mate and I both played American Football for years in Dublin and neither of us ever played football for a club. I never played rugby either and am well used to the attitude of the "real" fans so I would expect to encounter more of the same with the eircom league. I couldn't give a toss though. I'm only posting this to answer those who said it wouldn't draw anyone to the games and point out that it's drawing at least two and probably more once we rope a few more people into coming along.

You said you used to go to Tolka and watch Shels so why not continue that now? The crowds will be bigger (than Sporting) and we'll be pushing for promotion this season (always nice to follow a winning team). Also, there's two bars in Tolka and a very good chipper. And you'll definitely be made welcome. Any new faces are welcome

[kingdom hoop]

I thought it was a very encouraging opening, with probably the best thing being the enthusiasm exuded. Excellent foundation laid.

Minor teething problems aside, the difficulty lies in striking the balance between an in-depth highlights and analysis package, and the light-entertainment features. For the opening show I thought that was well done; ensnare any first timers, show them the league has personality. As the season progresses I think they should focus more on the football side of things with more time for previews as well as reviews, but all the while you must keep a light-hearted tone; take the smile/groan risk rather than leaving people stone-faced. :)

[Bald Student]

RTE should (and probably will) send cameras if there's a big game in the First Division. The only comment I'd make is that it would have been nice to show some of Fingal's first game.

[John83]

The only comment I'd make is that it would have been nice to show some of Fingal's first game.
Longford fans would agree. :)

I've laid into the interview elsewhere, but I should probably add that overall it was good, light years ahead of eL Weekly.

[dcfcsteve]

Not in my case anyway, nor from many of the Cobh and Harps fans who expressed their views on this.

That's becasue Harps fans rightly treat promotion as the footballing equivalent of a holiday.

Sadly, that inevitable date when you have to go back home again eventually comes round....

[dcfcsteve]

Do you honestly, honestly believe that the highlights of goals from Tolka Park, Oriel Park, Athlone Town, The RSC or Flancare Park will look significantly worse than the highlights of goals from the Belfield Bowl, Colmans, Finn Park etc, etc??

Yes. By virtue of the fact that one, if not both, of the teams in any given Premier fixture would be superior to the teams in any given First Division one. That's why they're in different leagues. So the football will be better.

Even if grounds like Tolka and Oriel are marginally better than Finn Park, Belfield Bowl etc, the dramatically better crowds at Premier games mask/hide that fact, and the football is by definition more attractive.

[pineapple stu]

That's becasue Harps fans rightly treat promotion as the footballing equivalent of a holiday.

Sadly, that inevitable date when you have to go back home again eventually comes round....
To add to Mr A's comment, although it's been a long while since we were "stuck" in the First Division, my preference to see a quick round up from the First hasn't changed despite our brief sojourn in the division.

Time now for you to show us the fans you mentioned who change their opinion once they get promoted.

[Anto McC]

I agree with them not showing First Division football, it's gank! Maybe, now and again throw in the odd game between 2 of the teams challanging 1st place but as a whole no way. It's terrible to watch and would only set Irish football back when the standard in the top division is really improing.

[oldyouth]

I agree with them not showing First Division football, it's gank! Maybe, now and again throw in the odd game between 2 of the teams challanging 1st place but as a whole no way. It's terrible to watch and would only set Irish football back when the standard in the top division is really improing.
What a patronising comment. Perhaps you'd prefer if 1st Division clubs went away and left Premier Division clubs continue to play their Brazilian style football in peace. Get a grip and re-run your own teams performances in your mind over a season with a more critical eye, as opposed to that of a fan.

[sonofstan]

What a patronising comment. Perhaps you'd prefer if 1st Division clubs went away and left Premier Division clubs continue to play their Brazilian style football in peace. Get a grip and re-run your own teams performance with a more critical eye as opposed to that of a fan.

He's a Shels fan - now entering their second season in the First Div. in case you hadn't noticed, so he's hardly patronising anyone is he?

[sullanefc]

Fantastic show, really enjoyed it. I honestly don't understand some of the criticism's (apart from the usual couple of Limerick moaners).

I think the 60 second thing was a great way to get to know the players IMO. I wouldn't have a clue about Ryan Guy before the show and now I know he is an American, who does sommersaults and drives a 94 honda civic. :D

The cheese and the fluff sells. I say keep it.

Well done rte.

[pete]

I can see this attracting passing viewers as it is on prime time slot. Very good that they saying will on 8pm every single week. The RTE cameras also ensure that good goals in the league will have proper footage. I predict it will carve out a solid audience in the TV ratings but more on that next week.

Laughable that someone suggests just because 2 man & a dog rugby shown it is a reason to show the 1st division.

[WoodquayBoy]

Ryan Guy . . . who does sommersaults

Thought he made a bags of the frst part myself, didn't get his hips to make the full rotation required. SHocking, if anyone saw that, it would have turned them off Irish soccer straight away. I mean compare it with England, Saha, when he plays and scores - infrequent, I know - he can do a proper somersault, and Lua Lua's were the best. Guy just brought sahem on the league, and shame on RTE for deciding to showing that, obvious attempt to undermine the league.
Sheesh . . . .

[oldyouth]

He's a Shels fan - now entering their second season in the First Div. in case you hadn't noticed, so he's hardly patronising anyone is he?
OOps! Ya see what happens when you post with gin taken. Let it be a lesson to you all. In my defence, I'll have to say that Shels fans still think they are premier league:o

[LeixlipRed]

We are premier league ffs. In Championship Manager 02/03. I still play it now and again to relive the glory days :p