Maurice Brosnan: Eight observations from the Gaelic football league

Teams have already stress-tested the angles and found the seams.

DID HE KICK IT? Monaghan's Mícheál Bannigan following the defeat by Armagh. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

What would you prefer to see: Monaghan captain Micheál Bannigan kicking a free over the bar or a lovingly tight close-up of Armagh’s Man of the Match, Andrew Murnin, awaiting his cue?

In the world of modern GAA broadcasting, the answer is almost always the same. Reaction trumps action. And so, during the closing minutes of Armagh’s victory over Monaghan in Croke Park, the camera chose Murnin. As Bannigan prepared to strike the free, the picture wandered politely away to the other end of the field. BBC commentator Thomas Niblock even lifted the curtain: he explained that he and Conor McManus (an outstanding co-commentator), had muted their microphones to select Man of the Match and alert the floor manager, ensuring the winning shot was ready on cue.