Murphy wants end to RTÉ’s ‘manager bashing’

Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy has called for an immediate cessation of what he terms “manager bashing” by RTÉ pundits in particular.

Murphy, concerned by what he feels is a deviation from conventional games analysis, believes an “unhealthy trend” is being pursued which is culminating in character assassination.

“I do not think that this kind of punditry serves any real purpose, nor is it particularly appealing to the viewing audience,” asserted Murphy.

“Critical clinical analysis is to be welcomed but some recent views which have been expressed amount to nothing more than manager bashing. It’s an unhealthy trend that serves on useful purpose.”

The top-ranking Ulster official highlighted Eamonn O’Hara’s views on the now departed Sligo manager Kevin Walsh and Joe Brolly’s scathing criticism of Armagh boss Paul Grimley in the wake of his team’s provincial championship preliminary round loss to Cavan.

“Eamonn O’Hara walked away from the Sligo side and then proceeded to lambast the manager while Brolly’s critique of Paul Grimley’s tactics against Cavan was way over the top,” states Murphy.

Pointing out that GAA is very much an amateur organisation, Murphy added: “Broadcasters of other sports outside the island of Ireland would not allow punditry to descend to such personal levels. By and large, all criticism is confined to the actual contest rather than an unhealthy and unacceptable focus on individual players.”