Originally posted by Heshs Umpire:
It`s a pity TG4 don`t have a "red button" option to opt for an English language commentary option as S4C sometimes do.
Personally, I have no bother with the Irish commentary but I suppose it puts a lot of people off.

Originally posted by tribe15:
eistigi lads, go and learn cupla focail Gaeilge and stop complaining...

Originally posted by formosa:


Which would you prefer? Understanding bits & pieces of the Irish commentary or Ger Canning?

the former for me every time.

Originally posted by EastStand:
After 10 years of learning Irish in schools, you`d imagine everyone would be able to understand what was going on to some degree. As for any people that came into the country, a lot of them struggle with English and few have any interest anyway, so I`ve no problem with it being in Irish - in fact, why not broadcast the games exclusively in Irish on all the stations. Better than listing to Marty and Ger drone on with their sterile Americanised accents.

Originally posted by Deer Assassin:
Excellent piece.

This is a massive issue in my opinion.

All national radio stations will fill us in on live cross channel scores and there wont be a word on live GAA scores   (McGrath Cup, O`Byrne Cup, Waterford Crystal etc...  )  

This is a f**king joke.

The media needs to take more pride in our indigenous game.

Originally posted by Dariog:


The manner in which Irish is taught in schools does not lead to any sort of fluency in the language. I, like most users here, did Irish for 13 years in school. I got a B in Honours Irish in the Leaving Cert. However, I know that if I had gone over to the Gaeltacht the day after my Irish exam I would not have been able to hold a conversation in Irish with the locals. Now, a good few years later, I reckon I can follow no more than 10% of what is being said on the TG4 commentaries. Now, you may say it`s my fault I`m not more proficient in speaking the language. My point though is that, despite it being my least favourite subject in school, I could achieve a good grade and still remain unable to speak the language fluently after 13 years. There must be something wrong with that system.

Originally posted by Dariog:


The manner in which Irish is taught in schools does not lead to any sort of fluency in the language. I, like most users here, did Irish for 13 years in school. I got a B in Honours Irish in the Leaving Cert. However, I know that if I had gone over to the Gaeltacht the day after my Irish exam I would not have been able to hold a conversation in Irish with the locals. Now, a good few years later, I reckon I can follow no more than 10% of what is being said on the TG4 commentaries. Now, you may say it`s my fault I`m not more proficient in speaking the language. My point though is that, despite it being my least favourite subject in school, I could achieve a good grade and still remain unable to speak the language fluently after 13 years. There must be something wrong with that system.

Originally posted by I_Love_Tom_Humphries:
As for the commentary on TG4, would there be any harm in putting an English speaking co-commentator there to chip in from time to time? I love Irish but I`m terrible at it and I`m afraid it does make watching a game like Louth v Wicklow less attractive.

Originally posted by rebus2008:
Breheny is spot on. GAA are ______- poor at marketing.

Classic example. St paddys Day. 100k tourist in town. All around O`Connell street - 5 mins from CP. Not a bit of advertising   (promo stands/ticket booths etc  )   to get 5-10k tourists up to CP to see unique irish sports   (one in each code available  )  

Amazes me when you consider the renowned business gurus at the helm with years of consitent performance in the likes of FAS

Originally posted by offaly:
GAA TV blackout a big own goal

Originally posted by KeepOnHurling:
Don`t forget the 12-month long black-out they have on everybody outside of Ireland who aren`t near a pub where they can pay in to watch the GAA games