Press Pass with Ollie Turner
Ollie Turner,Galway Bay FM Head of Sports, on Hogan Cup classics, the magic of Galway’s Michael Donnellan and the Kerry v Tyrone rivalry
“In 2000 I was fortunate enough to get a job with Galway Bay FM and I am still here. During the years I’ve had different types of roles, but I have always enjoyed it since starting off 12 years ago. Initially I only covered sport, but now I do other things too so I am constantly learning.”
“For two years or so before I started with Galway Bay I worked in a hardware shop in Milltown. The skills from working on the counter there probably helped me when I started out in radio.”
What was your finest achievement playing GAA?
“I won Connacht minor and U21 medals with Galway and was lucky enough to play with many who went on to win senior All-Irelands with Galway. At that time underage football was strong and St Jarlath’s were serious Hogan Cup contenders.”
“It would have to be the famous 2002 Hogan Cup semi-finals involving St Jarlath’s and Coláiste na Sceilge. They were two unbelievable games, the way they just ebbed and flowed, both the drawn match and the replay. The football was of a remarkably high quality in both matches and it was a joy to commentate on.”
“In the All-Ireland final of 1998 when Galway beat Kildare. Michael Donnellan’s solo runs in that game were just breathtaking. On a couple of occasions he carried the ball from deep inside the Galway half to score and to create scores for others. ”
“With the media facilities that are there Croke Park has to be it for me once you get through the security! It is a great thrill to commentate on a game from the Hogan Stand.”
“The old press box in Carrick-on-Shannon used to be awkward, but since the stand was refurbished it is now amongst the best in the country.”
“I suppose with us being a local radio we would often be informed of retirements and managerial changes ahead of others. We usually would have that type of news first in Galway and it is always good when there is a story like those breaking as there would be huge local interest.”
“Before the 2001 All-Ireland hurling final I had been given an inside tip-off regarding the Galway starting XV. I ran with it on the radio, but the management of the team hadn’t actually given the go-ahead to release it to my contact. I learned my lesson never to run with broadcasting a team until everything was absolutely certain.”
Most media friendly manager?
“At the moment Galway football manager Alan Mulholland has a good relationship with the media. During the league he had regular press briefings.”
“For me it has to be Michael Donnellan. When he was at his peak he was the greatest Galway footballer of all time. Of course Padraic Joyce was class, but there was nobody better than Michael Donnellan. He might have only been at the very top for a few short years, but he was a brilliant player.”
“Club-wise I would rate Caltra’s achievement winning the All-Ireland final as the best club performance. They might not have been the best ever club team, but the style and manner in which they won an All-Ireland title from a small pick of players was absolutely outstanding. Inter-county wise it is hard to call because the standard is improving every year. People talk of the old Kerry v Dublin rivalry, but it was before my time so I would say Kerry and Tyrone’s rivalry over the past decade. There were some brilliant g ames between them.”
“I’ve gone to the Maples Hotel near Croke Park and a meal there would get you through a double-header and back to Galway safely.”
“Over the years I have met a few characters. In some venues you have a few guys trying to justify the bib. That can be hard to take because most people in the press are simply trying to carry out their job to the best of their ability.”
“I’d go to the BBC. When I was growing up I used to always like listening and learning from Barry Davies and John Motson. They seemed to have good inside knowledge and that is vital for a commentator because you will be found out if you don’t have it.”
“A bit of a mad one for me, but I like Aircrash Investigation. If you were to ask me why, I don’t know? I just do!”
“The two St Jarlath’s jerseys I have from the Hogan Cup finals of 1992 and 1993. I still have them and they always meant a lot to me. The school has played such a huge role in Galway football it was an honour to be involved in your games.”
“A commentator should be familiar with the players they are commentating on. That is vital. You should make sure to know about the players and to be familiar with them. Also in local radio I think people should be themselves a bit more. There are loads of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh impersonators out there, but they would be better off to just be themselves.”
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