Most Annoying Pundit

blackbelt

Spillane is grand in general IMO.The only thing I ever hated coming from his mouth was the puke football sentiment but in time after understanding the whole tactic of "SWARM" football (which is the correct term) I lost a bit more respect for him.

It wreaks of bitterness but this term he used was synonymous with Ulster football for a time after (esp Armagh and Tyrone).After practising this drill of the swarm in training and winning matches we were not favourited to win,my whole opinion of it changed with its positive effect it brought our team.

SWARM football is a style of play which does not look appetising to the eye but is effective if played correctly and thank God Tyrone used it properly in 2003 and Monaghan this year,otherwise Kerry would probably have another All Ireland in the bag and the match against Monaghan would have been one sided.

I think it is one way to go to topple Kerry and Spillane hated that for obvious reasons.He can make some points I won't agree with but have respect for him as a presenter.I don't know of any pundit I've ever not disagreed with except for Michael Lyster as he only presents the show and doesn't really give input into discussions.He just presents facts as he sees them from replays etc.

holymolyHS

My god what did I start with this post ;-)
I got to say I really like Spillane as a pundit. I would much prefer him on the other side of the couch on the Sunday Game. I know people don't like his style but I much prefer guys that can shoot from the hip and tell it like it is instead of getting watered down punditry like Hansen and Shearer on BBC.
I think GAA pundits who call it as they see it and in their own native style is one of the best parts of GAA programming. If we ended up having monotonous, boring, cliched comments ala Paul Curran, things would get very boring and stale. I love to see fellas having a little pop at each other and getting a verbal dig into another. You got to have the superior Kerry attitude, the cute Cork hoor, the cheeky Derry man or the token Dub to get stuck in.
I thought Setanta got it fairly spot on when they would have people like Eugene McGee, Diarmaid O'Flynn and Val Andrews on - they wouldn't all agree with each other but they would make their point loud and clear.
But look, we want to be entertained and Pat will always keep that going even if you don't like him.

Tomthepost

holymolyHS wrote: »

My god what did I start with this post ;-)
I got to say I really like Spillane as a pundit. I would much prefer him on the other side of the couch on the Sunday Game. I know people don't like his style but I much prefer guys that can shoot from the hip and tell it like it is instead of getting watered down punditry like Hansen and Shearer on BBC.
I think GAA pundits who call it as they see it and in their own native style is one of the best parts of GAA programming. If we ended up having monotonous, boring, cliched comments ala Paul Curran, things would get very boring and stale. I love to see fellas having a little pop at each other and getting a verbal dig into another. You got to have the superior Kerry attitude, the cute Cork hoor, the cheeky Derry man or the token Dub to get stuck in.
I thought Setanta got it fairly spot on when they would have people like Eugene McGee, Diarmaid O'Flynn and Val Andrews on - they wouldn't all agree with each other but they would make their point loud and clear.
But look, we want to be entertained and Pat will always keep that going even if you don't like him.

Maith an fear Holymoly. You summed it up like the end of a Jerry Springer show.

K-9

Spillane did give full credit to Tyrone after 2005. Complimented them on the quality of their football. He had to really, because Kerry aren't immune to playing " swarm " defence when it suits them!

I like Tony Davis I think is the best at being totally unbiased. Tohill improved a lot last year.