‘Magazine show can be a game-changer’
A SECOND TV show is part of the new media rights deal, something both Mick O’Keeffe and Michael Duignan welcome with open arms.
‘The GAA has been crying out for a midweek magazine,’ says the former.
‘There’s that crunch four or five-week spell in summer where nearly too much is going on. Matches get missed – which GAAGO now will sort.
‘You’re left with this unhealthy scenario of the Laois footballers getting two minutes on The Sunday Game, everyone jumping up and down. You don’t get time for proper analysis to talk thematically about the GAA. You get this quick-bash hysteria.
‘If you have a magazine show on a Tuesday or Wednesday to delve into things, you could dedicate half your show to the Joe McDonagh Cup, say, because you have the time. Or delve deep into the personalities behind it. Or look thematically at stuff like consistency of refereeing, or tackling. Really get into the belly of stuff where you have intelligent analysis. I think the midweek show element could be a game-changer.’
Duignan tends to agree. ‘In one way there are massive opportunities here to modernise things. The second show gives us the chance to have that debate. People want to see the matches and highlights but I think we do need that Ger Loughnane, Joe Brolly element as well which Irish people love.
‘I just feel that there seems to be a race to be like Sky for analysis but most of the entertainment on Sky is through the Roy Keanes of this world. That’s what people tune in for.
‘While we went through a phase of all arrows and pointing – and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of that – I understand how the game works and changes, I’m not old school – you also need that human interaction. Irish people in particular, I think, love that debate, that bit of wildness every now and again.
‘Changing world, changing times, but the same principles apply. People want to see matches, highlights, and they also want a bit of entertainment as well. I wouldn’t want to see it become too technical. I hope that’s taken into account with the make-up of panels and presentation.’