DUFF’S VIEWS ON ENGLAND ARE WITLESS

DAMIEN DUFF’S sorry analysis of England is only the latest evidence that this World Cup could see RTÉ vulnerable to the rising standards in English soccer punditry.

Remember when the RTÉ coverage of major tournaments was fashionable? It was the subject of admiring pieces in the UK press, where the candour of Dunphy and Giles was compared favourably to the anodyne commentary of Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen.

But English punditry has changed. This has been driven by Sky and the emergence of Gary Neville, but it has spread to terrestrial TV, and Irish viewers can choose the BBC or ITV to watch the tournament.

Neville is on secondment to ITV, where he will be joined by Roy Keane, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs among others. Neville and Keane promise to be fascinating (if only for those whose subscription packages allow them continued access to ITV). BBC is more sober, but the improved Alan Shearer will have the insightful pairing of Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand alongside him.

RTÉ need to smarten up and maintain the pace. Richie Sadlier and Dietmar Hamann are outstanding, but Duff’s (above) nonsense about England’s players not caring enough (would they die for the shirt, he wondered witlessly, the way an Irish team might?) was tired and clichéd.

Fans have choice now, and are quick to exercise it.