If Mickey Harte thinks he can suddenly place a red hand over TV crews, he is severely mistaken. He was reported as being furious with GAA HQ and the allowance of media video footage to sight three of his players and earn them respective 4 week bans (Irish Daily Star, Feb 16th).
Subsequently, he said: "We could reserve the right to decide whether our League games are to be televised or not."
Come off it Mickey, you don't have the authority or the balls to follow through with that. Not only does TV coverage help gain extra revenue for your county, it helps showcase your talented squad and OUR games. Are you going to deny the Irish Diaspora this? Are you going to deny the ardent 90-year-old a chance to see his team because he can no longer go to games?
Didn't think so.
I acknowledge that you’re pissed off. The argument that the same uniform coverage and 'trial by media' should apply across the board, while holding sway in some quarters, shouldn't fit in with what we stand for. I, for one do not believe in 'trial by media', this is the role of the courts, CCCC and other professional bodies. The industry did not knock on the door of CCCC and say: "Next up for scrutiny is troublesome Tyrone". It was the CCCC who knocked on our door.
Your point on it being applicable to all counties is a given. It should be justified. But, in reality-who would you rather watch, Tyrone v Dublin, or Laois (my own county) v Carlow (no offence intended)? That is the reality. The industry is also one of corporatism. If that point is to stand, an independent arbitrator or reporter should go to all the games, and write up a list of all players to stand trial. Frankly, I don't think you or any right thinking GAA fan would want that either.
While on the topic, it would be rather naive of me to refrain from discussing Paul Galvin. Paul, a player who plays with passion, prowess, heart and the occasional spite was severely wronged in the Cork game. His sending off was on the basis of reputation rather than cause and effect. The man was wrestled and hauled to the ground, and the natural human impulse was to defend himself. He should have remained on the field of play. Football, unlike hurling is fast becoming a dirty game (Puke football). There is no universal and accepted method of tackling, the game is littered with cynical fouling and the new hand passing rule has confused player and manager.
While I am glad that the Tyrone county board have come out and acknowledged the benefit of national coverage:
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0217/tyrone.html
I am disappointed to see a manager of Harte's calibre and stature threatening press freedom and GAA pride.
After all, there are more important sporting issues that need and should be addressed.
D.K
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http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0219/galvinp.html
ReplyDeleteGalvin has been given an 8 week ban. This is ridiculous. The GAA are shooting themselves in the foot here. A blind man could see Galvin did nothing wrong, except be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since when was that a crime?
D.K
Everytime Kerry play a match, Paul Galvin is setting himself up for a trial by media. His reputation comes before him, and at times he's his own worst enemy.
ReplyDeleteAs for Tyrone and Harte, the Tyrone County Boaud will feel the pinch in their pockets if they stop the cameras coming to Omagh. Harte is clearly using the media to deflect blame away from disciplinary problems in his team.
If his biggest worry is that his team are on tv too much, then he really has very little to worry about.
NT