Kerr in the Times

[TonyD]

I have to laugh when people make comments about Kerr's articles being "well written".

The writing's just so lazy and sloppy and, well, amateur.

I sincerely doubt that Kerr is sitting down at the word processor himself. To the best of my knowledge how these "articles" work, is that Kerr(or Giles, or whoever) talks to a journalist, who then writes up the column. Newspapers also employ people called editors, so I'd suggest that's where the fault/responsibility lies.

[EalingGreen]

For no reason? Jesus, it's painful to read.

Right from the first sentence:

The most important aspect to be reflected upon this morning is Ireland have gained six points from two very awkward fixtures.

Ireland the team - singular. Ireland has gained six points...

Okay, I know how annoying nit-picking like this can be, but I would have expected better from the Irish Times.

Or have I been away too long?

Ramondo.

So it's nit-picking you're after, Ramondo? Try this one:
The name of the team is "Republic of Ireland".

"Ireland" in the sporting context refers to the rugby or cricket teams etc.

Similarly, my team is not "Brazil", it's "Northern Ireland" - though it's all the same to me!

Anyhow, back on topic, whether or not you appreciate Kerr's grammar, syntax, phraseology etc, I think generally he has good points to make and puts them across sufficiently well for his readership to understand.

And notwithstanding ROI's last two results, I feel the longer Staunton remains in the post, the more Kerr will come to be appreciated as a decent enough manager (if not a great one).

[geysir]

I see that Kerr paid tribute to Dunne's splendid performance, "but he was outshone by McShane"

[pineapple stu]

Nope, it's just plain wrong.

Good argument, well made. And you're complaining about Kerr's writing?

[Billsthoughts]

I see that Kerr paid tribute to Dunne's splendid performance, "but he was outshone by McShane"

Id agree with that. but it was a close thing on the basis that he got in some great interventions Id give it to McShane. but they seem to play well with each other. his distribution was a bit erratic at times tho....

[ramondo]

Good argument, well made. And you're complaining about Kerr's writing?

Okay, that one example you can argue the point. My gripe is that there are so many small mistakes, cliches and awkward phraseology that (for me) it detracts from what he is saying and I keep looking at how he is saying it.

While arguing about syntax does seem pedantic, this thread is titled "Kerr In The Times" so I think comments about his writing "style" are fair game.

So it's nit-picking you're after, Ramondo? Try this one: The name of the team is "Republic of Ireland".

I considered that at the time EalingGreen, but I left it in just to annoy you.

Newspapers also employ people called editors, so I'd suggest that's where the fault/responsibility lies.

One of the points I made, TonyD, was that I doubted anyone else had even given it a cursory glance. Check out his first article posted above.

I know, it irks me, it's nice though that a win can allow us to focus on syntax...

Nice one, Qwerty.

Okay, I've probably given this one more attention than it deserves, but if it means at least someone thinks twice before writing "good article" in relation to Brian Kerr's column then it may have been worth something.

Ramondo.

[stojkovic]

On a similar note, the Star wrote ;

"Shay Given has dismissed the criticism of Roy Keane........"

It should of course have read ;

"Shay Given has dismissed the criticism FROM Roy Keane....."

It totally changed the meaning of the sentence.

You'd expect it from the Star I suppose.

Anywon cun b a journolist dez daze.

[tricky_colour]

I see that Kerr paid tribute to Dunne's splendid performance, "but he was outshone by McShane"

As it is past tense, he should have said:-

"but he was outshined by McShane"

A small point I know, but as I have a degree in English I find such sloppy grammer rather annoying.

[osarusan]

As it is past tense, he should have said:-

"but he was outshined by McShane"

A small point I know, but as I have a degree in English I find such sloppy grammer rather annoying.

Hahahahahahaha Very good.

[ramondo]

As it is past tense, he should have said:-

"but he was outshined by McShane"

A small point I know, but as I have a degree in English I find such sloppy grammer rather annoying.

That'll learn me...

[danonion]

The standard of Irish writing is atrocious, and seeing how Kerr isn't even a journalist, I think this nitpicking is a little unfair.

[Dodge]

The standard of Irish writing is atrocious, and seeing how Kerr isn't even a journalist, I think this nitpicking is a little unfair.

Spot on. A lot of it is technical analysis. Its pretty hard to make it flow like poetry. Interesting reading IMO



But then I'm biased

[RogerMilla]

Tha name of our state is Ireland . I will call the football team that represents it "Ireland" and nothing else , what others choose to call it is up to them.

I agree with the greener that Mcshane was more deserving of the MOTM than Richie Dunne but good for Richie all the same.

[geysir]

Spot on. A lot of it is technical analysis. Its pretty hard to make it flow like poetry.

Outshone by McShane had a touch of humour about it, almost poetic.

[OwlsFan]

The standard of Irish writing is atrocious, and seeing how Kerr isn't even a journalist, I think this nitpicking is a little unfair.

Surely you mean "Irish writers" as they don't write in Irish (since we're all being pedantic here) ?

[NeilMcD]

Lads the pedants have ruined this thread, Can we debate the footballing merits of Kerr's article instead. I understand that we should not have text speak etc but this is a joke.

[OwlsFan]

Lads the pedants have ruined this thread, Can we debate the footballing merits of Kerr's article instead. I understand that we should not have text speak etc but this is a joke.

Lads, the pedants have ruined this thread. Can we debate the footballing merits of Kerr's article instead? I understand that we should not have text speak etc but this is a joke.

A few amendments made above.

Agreed but I think it has been debated out.

[pineapple stu]

As a UCD fan, I feel compelled to have the last word and note that, as "etc." is an abbreviation of the Latin et cetera, it ought to have a full stop after it. Also, I would prefer to see a comma before and possibly after it.

[EalingGreen]

Originally posted by Ealing Green: So it's nit-picking you're after, Ramondo? Try this one: The name of the team is "Republic of Ireland".

I considered that at the time EalingGreen, but I left it in just to annoy you.
Ramondo.

Hmmm, not sure I believe that excuse, Ramondo, but I'll let it pass. Besides, after a week such as we NI fans have just had, you couldn't annoy me!

[EalingGreen]

Tha name of our state is Ireland . I will call the football team that represents it "Ireland" and nothing else , what others choose to call it is up to them.

The official name of the team is "Republic of Ireland", nothing more, nothing less.

Of course, people are entitled to use colloquial names, such as you do; in which case, by the same principle, I reserve the right to use my own term, "The Beggars".

Have a good weekend!