Minor Finals on TV3 - Demotion for the Irish Language

[An Cloch Scoilte]

With the announcement of the GAA's new TV deals, the moving of the Minor finals to TV3 as stand alone fixtures is surely a demotion for the Minor players themselves, as well as the Irish Language. The Minor deciders delivered in the beautiful commentary of Micheál Ó Sé have become part and parcel of All-Ireland final day.

This is the second such demotion in the last number of years for the Minors, with winning Captains not being afforded the chance to deliver a winning captains speech.

Martin Breheny has added fuel to the fire with his views on the Minor showpieces being commentated upon as Gaeilge.


TV3 must break language barrier


By Martin Breheny


Wednesday November 17 2010

Effectively, the GAA are encouraging TV3 to continue with RTE's policy of disenfranchising the majority of people who, for reasons linked with the appalling way Irish has been taught (the fault is with the system, not the teachers), don't understand the language.

I was savaged by some irate readers a few weeks back for suggesting it was wrong to have the International Rules games on TG4 because of the Irish commentary, but here it goes again: it's equally wrong to have the minor finals broadcast in Irish.

It's the height of arrogance to impose the will of the minority on the majority under the spurious pretext of promoting the Irish language. Yes, Irish is our native tongue. It's also a beautiful language which has been betrayed by a stupid approach to fostering it. The figures don't lie and if the majority of people still have little knowledge of Irish, the system of teaching it must be wrong.

Broadcasting the All-Ireland minor finals in Irish doesn't do anything to promote the language, but it does a lot to annoy people who want to enjoy the games with a commentary they understand.

TV3 have a glorious opportunity to end the nonsense and, in the process, multiply their audience figures. My guess is that they'll take it.

- Martin Breheny

Irish Independent

[Rossfan]

Reilly's rag will keep Breheny on anyway with anti Irish stuff like that spouting out of him.

[Hardy]

In what way is it anti-Irish?  (I can't believe I'm defending martin Breheny.)

[Rossfan]

So let's get rid of all that oul Irishness ...language, music, dancing and them silly oul games that no one else plays ..Bogball and stickball.
Let's be proper 21st Century Brits.

[Redhand Santa]

About time the minor finals have a commentary which most people can understand.  Irish commentary by RTE is all part of the tokenism which so many feed on as their idea of nationalism.  The top selling papers in the country are the Star and The Sun, the English Premiership in the form of the RTE and BBC MoTD are the most popular games watched in Ireland.  Welcome to Ireland in the 21st century.

Not sure about that.

[5 Sams]

About time the minor finals have a commentary which most people can understand.  Irish commentary by RTE is all part of the tokenism which so many feed on as their idea of nationalism.  The top selling papers in the country are the Star and The Sun, the English Premiership in the form of the RTE and BBC MoTD are the most popular games watched in Ireland.  Welcome to Ireland in the 21st century.

I'd safely say that the vast majority of the people on this board would not let the Sun or the Star dirty their hands, they would watch an Under 12 league game before they would sit in and watch MOTD or whatever...and they are all well aware of what Ireland is like in the 21st century.....as for tokenism...come down to Bunscoil an Iuir at lunchtime and listen to the 40 or 50 paisti engaging in "tokenism" when they are out playing.... add to that the fact that I have NEVER heard anyone on this board giving out about the Irish language commentary for the minor final....if anything Micheal O Se is widely praised.....so away you go and find someone who wants to listen to that shite you're spoutin cos you havent got an audience here ye boy ye.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Brian Tyers and Mícheál Ó Sé are the best GAA commentators on the box. I'd happily listen to their blas over Ger and Marty.

Mícheál Ó Sé is probably one of the only comentators worth listening to because he's actually played the game to a high level.

[ross4life]

So let's get rid of all that oul Irishness ...language, music, dancing and them silly oul games that no one else plays ..Bogball and stickball.
Let's be proper 21st Century Brits.

Agreed the Gaa top brass getting rid of another tradition what next?

[DuffleKing]

About time the minor finals have a commentary which most people can understand.  Irish commentary by RTE is all part of the tokenism which so many feed on as their idea of nationalism.  The top selling papers in the country are the Star and The Sun, the English Premiership in the form of the RTE and BBC MoTD are the most popular games watched in Ireland.  Welcome to Ireland in the 21st century.

I'd safely say that the vast majority of the people on this board would not let the Sun or the Star dirty their hands, they would watch an Under 12 league game before they would sit in and watch MOTD or whatever...and they are all well aware of what Ireland is like in the 21st century.....as for tokenism...come down to Bunscoil an Iuir at lunchtime and listen to the 40 or 50 paisti engaging in "tokenism" when they are out playing.... add to that the fact that I have NEVER heard anyone on this board giving out about the Irish language commentary for the minor final....if anything Micheal O Se is widely praised.....so away you go and find someone who wants to listen to that shite you're spoutin cos you havent got an audience here ye boy ye.

You haven't been listening so

[Sandy Hill]

I have a very limited ability as far as the oul teanga is concerned and so the pragmatist in me would welcome the commentary in English; am I no longer a real Irishman?

[nrico2006]

About time the minor finals have a commentary which most people can understand.  Irish commentary by RTE is all part of the tokenism which so many feed on as their idea of nationalism.  The top selling papers in the country are the Star and The Sun, the English Premiership in the form of the RTE and BBC MoTD are the most popular games watched in Ireland.  Welcome to Ireland in the 21st century.

Agreed.  The majority of people would rather listen to the commentary in a format which they could understand.

[Rois]

How about a "press the red button to hear it in Irish" option? 

[passedit]

How about a "press the red button to hear it in Irish" option?

What button do we press to see it in De Nort?

[brokencrossbar1]

How about a "press the red button to hear it in Irish" option?

What button do we press to see it in De Nort?

The "Bleck" button!

[Rois]

How about a "press the red button to hear it in Irish" option?

What button do we press to see it in De Nort?

Hmmmm, true.  I'd have to go to another house to watch it and then it's just in analogue.