MNS (Monday Night Soccer)

**dcfcsteve** · 11/03/2008, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

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** · 11/03/2008, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

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** · 11/03/2008, 10:30 PM

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** · 11/03/2008, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 11/03/2008, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by oldyouth

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** · 11/03/2008, 11:03 PM

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.

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

Well done rte.

**pete** · 11/03/2008, 11:27 PM

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** · 12/03/2008, 8:24 AM

Originally Posted by sullanefc

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** · 12/03/2008, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by sonofstan

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

**LeixlipRed** · 12/03/2008, 11:12 AM

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

**pete** · 12/03/2008, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by WoodquayBoy

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 presume tongue in check? It won't turn people off Irish football but I did think it was hilarious. No worse than Robbie Keane tumble.?

**L37Ultra** · 12/03/2008, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by sullanefc

(apart from the usual couple of Limerick moaners).

.

I really enjoyed it.

I thought it was excellent to be honest. I wouldnt agree with the other Limerick lads that the First Division should be on it. Realistically it shouldnt. Just to have a prime time show for Premier League football is great step forward, to have First Division coverage now would be running before you could walk in my opinion. Match of the day in England doesnt show Championship highlights so why should MNS show the First Division. Clubs have to earn that kind of coverage.

**thischarmingman** · 12/03/2008, 12:24 PM

The amount of responses on this thread, including up to the minute updates during the program itself shows just how hard it is to please a lot of people. Some of us seem to assume the league should become the Premiership overnight; surely making steady progress year on year is the way forward? Compare TV coverage in 2005 to 2006; 2006 to 2007; 2007 to 2008- it gets gets slightly better each year, with a huge jump this year. The program, with a couple of teething problems, was a vast, vast improvement on what we normally see, and I'd have no problem recommending it to non-LOI fans.

**paudie** · 12/03/2008, 1:16 PM

Was switching between MNS and Linfield v Derry so didn't see all of it.
What I saw was excellent. Good panel who knew their stuff. Roddy not too annoying. All the Premier league goals.
I hope the first Division gets some coverage but it was only the first programme maybe they will in future.

Cobh to Donegal feature was good. The Cobh player featured wasn't much of a talker unfortunately.

60seconds thing was ok as well. Just something light.

I'd urge people to email RTE with their comments on the show as positive feedback is bound to encorage them to keep working hard on the show.

**jebus** · 12/03/2008, 1:25 PM

I like that people are using First Division attendences as an excuse for why it shouldn't be given two minutes of an hour long programme, especially when you consider that of the 8 LoI games last weekend First Division sides posted the 3rd and (marginally) 5th best attendences, with the only game being poorly attended being Monaghan vs Limerick

**Dodge** · 12/03/2008, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

I like that people are using First Division attendences as an excuse for why it shouldn't be given two minutes of an hour long programme, especially when you consider that of the 8 LoI games last weekend First Division sides posted the 3rd and (marginally) 5th best attendences, with the only game being poorly attended being Monaghan vs Limerick

Do all first division grounds have tv gantries? Remember that RTE have a limited enough budget and probably can't film all 11 games each week. if they are to film only 6 games each week, they should be the Premier games.

A lot has to do with perception and how grounds look on TV. Richmond is a kip, but looks well on TV. Same with dalymount and to a lesser extent United Park. Derry finally saw sense and moved the camera out of the main stand and now faces it. I also think smaller grounds that look fuller make better viewing than say 800-1000 people watching a game spread around Tolka Park.

**Maroon 7** · 12/03/2008, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Do all first division grounds have tv gantries? Remember that RTE have a limited enough budget and probably can't film all 11 games each week. if they are to film only 6 games each week, they should be the Premier games.

A lot has to do with perception and how grounds look on TV. Richmond is a kip, but looks well on TV. Same with dalymount and to a lesser extent United Park. Derry finally saw sense and moved the camera out of the main stand and now faces it. I also think smaller grounds that look fuller make better viewing than say 800-1000 people watching a game spread around Tolka Park.

Think United Park still looks a bit kippy on telly although not as bad as when seeing it in person. Richmond does surprisingly look quite well on television for some reason. In Terryland I guess it doesn't help that the camera crews refuse to use the new television gantry opposite the new stand meaning coverage from the ground never shows the usually full new stand. Instead we get pictures of the two-thirds empty old stand.

**L37Ultra** · 12/03/2008, 1:43 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

I like that people are using First Division attendences as an excuse for why it shouldn't be given two minutes of an hour long programme, especially when you consider that of the 8 LoI games last weekend First Division sides posted the 3rd and (marginally) 5th best attendences, with the only game being poorly attended being Monaghan vs Limerick

If enough people emailed them on Mns@rte.ie they might do something on the First Division.

You never know. Its worth a try.

**jebus** · 12/03/2008, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Do all first division grounds have tv gantries? Remember that RTE have a limited enough budget and probably can't film all 11 games each week. if they are to film only 6 games each week, they should be the Premier games.

If RTE can't extend their resources to cover the First Division then fair enough, I'd question that they don't, but if proven then I would say fair enough, but obviously the Premier games should take precedent. All I'm asking for is 2-3 mins of goal highlights.

As for TV Gantrys, most if not all of us would, not sure about Fingal or Wexford.

**Dodge** · 12/03/2008, 1:56 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

If RTE can't extend their resources to cover the First Division then fair enough, I'd question that they don't, but if proven then I would say fair enough, but obviously the Premier games should take precedent. All I'm asking for is 2-3 mins of goal highlights.

I'm sure they could cover it, but seeing as they haven't been even close to covering every premier game before this year they've made a step up and we'll see if they continue to grow into it. They do only have limited resources though, and we know that if they start showing the first division now, but ina couple of months time had to use the cameras for GAA (and they will..) there'd be even worse outcry.

As for TV Gantrys, most if not all of us would, not sure about Fingal or Wexford.

Longford doesn't really (well none that can accomodate cameras and commentators). I know they can film highlights without commentators