Bennett robbed at RTE sports awards

EmmetSpiceland

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Hitting someone when they are on the ground is not a sport

It’s something you’d see outside a chipper or in a car park after “closing time” on a bad weekend night out.

WoollyRedHat

RTE need to up their security

Bigmac1euro

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

It’s something you’d see outside a chipper or in a car park after “closing time” on a bad weekend night out.

Sounds like you need to find a better place to live if that’s what’s happening around your area lol

Bigmac1euro

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Hitting someone when they are on the ground is not a sport

And some fat guy drinking a pint throwing a metal pointy thing is???

Mysterypunter

Bigmac1euro wrote: »

And some fat guy drinking a pint throwing a metal pointy thing is???

He's not throwing it at his opponents head. Darts is a game of skill, and helpful for numeracy, but I didn't mention darts. I think driving a car around a track is not a sport, but it's more of a sport than hitting somebody when they are on the ground

Bigmac1euro

Mysterypunter wrote: »

He's not throwing it at his opponents head. Darts is a game of skill, and helpful for numeracy, but I didn't mention darts. I think driving a car around a track is not a sport, but it's more of a sport than hitting somebody when they are on the ground

You know darts is a sport, I can actually appreciate that and I think I was being too harsh. Chess is also a sport. But commenting on a sports awards thread claiming MMA and F1 aren’t sports is the height of ignorance.
And then we’ve some guy named after a terrible band (subjective) who refers to people that use the public health system as being the equivalent of steerage because they haven’t got private health insurance like he does and ranting about chipper fights as some equivalent to MMA. We have reached the toilet bowl of this sesspit of a forum which used to be a great place of localised knowledge for Irish people. A damn shame.

.anon.

Iodine1 wrote: »

At risk of drawing the woke mob, but look realistically, what do you think?

I think it's compulsory to include that word in the opening post of every thread on here, whatever the topic.

Invidious

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

I personally couldn’t possibly say who should have won, not knowing enough about either sport, but I’m taken with a number of the posts in this thread where people seem aghast that others haven’t heard of Sam Bennett. Cycling is a particularly niche sport. If somebody posts about it in AH, there will inevitably be “Who?” type responses.

Is it really that niche? Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche were household names back in the day.

Sam Hain

rizzodun wrote: »

I know it's early into 2021, but this is prime contender for dumbest post of the year.

Yawn, cyclists are so dramatic.

EmmetSpiceland

Invidious wrote: »

Is it really that niche? Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche were household names back in the day.

And both are now under a “cloud” of suspicion.

titan18

Invidious wrote: »

Is it really that niche? Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche were household names back in the day.

It is in Ireland, although outside Taylor, I'd imagine 90% of the population couldn't name another female boxer whereas I'd imagine they could name more than one cyclist (even if one is probably Lance)

Female boxing is niche everywhere. Cycling is huge in some countries (Belgium, France, Netherlands etc) but lack of many top talents here (even though we don't do too badly when you've had Kelly, Stephen and Nicholas Roche, Bennett and Dan Martin) and no high level races situated here hurt it in Irish fan terms.

greenspurs

hynesie08 wrote: »

Won the sprint but came 138th in the overall? Should probably learn to cycle up a hill before we start throwing awards at him.

the_pen_turner wrote: »

you seem to think that getting man of the match one time and being average teh rest of the season should get you player of the year.
sam had a great few days or weeks but overall he didnt do that great.
definetly deserves a mention but its not sports person of the year teritory

padd b1975 wrote: »

For the record Sam Bennett finished just over five and a half hours behind the winner of the tour.

Case closed as far as I'm concerned.

Larbre34 wrote: »

Why would Sam Bennett be given spoty for finishing 138th in something? He was even last of the Irish entrants!

wow......... :eek: :eek: :rolleyes:

The stupidity of some of the uninformed posts is amazing...

Feisar

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Hitting someone when they are on the ground is not a sport

Why, is it because it doesn't follow some notion of fair play, Queensbury type rules? As long as both contestants abide by the same rule set what difference does it make?

Howard Beale

Iodine1 wrote: »

Probably going against the populist mob but Katie, while a great sports star did nothing in 2020 compared to the achievements world wide by Sam Bennett. I don't think the anonymous RTE panel put any time into researching what Bennett achieved. At risk of drawing the woke mob, but look realistically, what do you think?

Sam is a beast. Some serious legs on him.

Road cycling is criminally under rated in Ireland.

It's amazing for mental and physical health.

I think a problem is it's not respected like other countries.

Look at Dublin, hell on Earth to cycle. Hardly any country roads, no cycle lanes, cars driving up your arze etc etc not to mention if you leave a €2,000 bike anywhere it will be nicked in a heartbeat.

gormdubhgorm

titan18 wrote: »

It is in Ireland, although outside Taylor, I'd imagine 90% of the population couldn't name another female boxer whereas I'd imagine they could name more than one cyclist (even if one is probably Lance)

Female boxing is niche everywhere. Cycling is huge in some countries (Belgium, France, Netherlands etc) but lack of many top talents here (even though we don't do too badly when you've had Kelly, Stephen and Nicholas Roche, Bennett and Dan Martin) and no high level races situated here hurt it in Irish fan terms.

Both good points.

Male boxing is hardly covered in the Irish media unless it is an Olympic year.

Female boxing is only ever really mentioned in relation to Katie Taylor because of how dominate she has been in the past.

Katie Taylor obviously has put in a tremendous amount of effort in her sport. But I always say how many of these people who laud Katie Taylor and say she is a role model can name any of the women she defeated in her world championship wins (without an internet search).

It is more of people falling in love with a brand or a profile rather than the persons prowess in their chosen sport.

You are also correct of course, that cycling is massive in other countries. The general population in Ireland only sudden interest when Roche won the Tour de France.


https://www.facebook.com/CyclingTips/videos/161402719080620/


He became a brand and dragged Kelly's profile up with him as well. I seem to remember he was in an advert for Milk?

Since then, it has been in the doldrums profile wise.

From the outside looking in, both sports boxing and cycling are not for the faint hearted. But given the level of performances of Bennett in his sport he should have got it. Also it would have given him a profile and given the sport of cycling a boost. If it was an Olympic year and Katie Taylor won it I would understand.
It seems to be filler until they can go back to the tired and tested of non Olympic years.

Arduach

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Both good points.

Male boxing is hardly covered in the Irish media unless it is an Olympic year.

Female boxing is only ever really mentioned in relation to Katie Taylor because of how dominate she has been in the past.

Katie Taylor obviously has put in a tremendous amount of effort in her sport. But I always say how many of these people who laud Katie Taylor and say she is a role model can name any of the women she defeated in her world championship wins (without an internet search).

It is more of people falling in love with a brand or a profile rather than the persons prowess in their chosen sport.

You are also correct of course, that cycling is massive in other countries. The general population in Ireland only sudden interest when Roche won the Tour de France.


https://www.facebook.com/CyclingTips/videos/161402719080620/


He became a brand and dragged Kelly's profile up with him as well. I seem to remember he was in an advert for Milk?

Since then, it has been in the doldrums profile wise.

From the outside looking in, both sports boxing and cycling are not for the faint hearted. But given the level of performances of Bennett in his sport he should have got it. Also it would have given him a profile and given the sport of cycling a boost. If it was an Olympic year and Katie Taylor won it I would understand.
It seems to be filler until they can go back to the tired and tested of non Olympic years.

Cycling was very big here pre Roche 1987. Kelly didn't need Roche to 'drag' up his profile. Every Saturday on Sports Stadium in the early to late 1980s a Sprint Classic highlights with Kelly competing in Paris-Nice, Liege-Bastogne-Liege etc was shown. Kelly coming 4th in the Tour de France and winning green jeresies was big on Rte pre 1987.

The Tour of Spain, when Kelly was leading, and had to retire with a boil on his buttock in May 1987 received serious coverage.

The Roche take is very 'gormdubhgorm'. Also on the continent Kelly is the legend, not Roche.

Edit: P.s. I agree with the rest of your post.

titan18

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Both good points.

Male boxing is hardly covered in the Irish media unless it is an Olympic year.

Female boxing is only ever really mentioned in relation to Katie Taylor because of how dominate she has been in the past.

Katie Taylor obviously has put in a tremendous amount of effort in her sport. But I always say how many of these people who laud Katie Taylor and say she is a role model can name any of the women she defeated in her world championship wins (without an internet search).

It is more of people falling in love with a brand or a profile rather than the persons prowess in their chosen sport.

You are also correct of course, that cycling is massive in other countries. The general population in Ireland only sudden interest when Roche won the Tour de France.


https://www.facebook.com/CyclingTips/videos/161402719080620/


He became a brand and dragged Kelly's profile up with him as well. I seem to remember he was in an advert for Milk?

Since then, it has been in the doldrums profile wise.

From the outside looking in, both sports boxing and cycling are not for the faint hearted. But given the level of performances of Bennett in his sport he should have got it. Also it would have given him a profile and given the sport of cycling a boost. If it was an Olympic year and Katie Taylor won it I would understand.
It seems to be filler until they can go back to the tired and tested of non Olympic years.

If we had a top level race here, I think it would become a bit bigger, and the Ras did try for a few years and managed to bring over some big teams during the 2000s but money wasn't really there. Shame as we have some nice roads, and as seen when Giro and Tour have come here in the past, people will line out to cheer on the riders.

We don't have the mountains for those guys, but definitely have the terrain to do a hard one day race.

gormdubhgorm

Invidious wrote: »

Is it really that niche? Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche were household names back in the day.

It would be I would say. It has not got a profile since those two lads.
Boxing would have a higher profile than cycling in Ireland. Even though in my view both could be described as niche sports in Ireland.

Top of my head main sports in order:

GAA (National Sport),
Soccer (Media Saturated)
Rugby (high media presence and culture)
Horse Racing (Irish horses and trainers dominate)
Golf (Top quality Irish golfers)

--

Other:

Boxing (Katie and her male counterparts punch above their weight in the Olympics)

Cycling (Martin now Bennett leading a small resurgence of notice)

Snooker (has really dipped Ken Doherty hanging on)

Basketball (Had its heyday in the mid to late 80's never the same since - cup final gets covered on the telly)

Swimming ( I know there was a young female swimmer who recently did something, the fact I cannot remember says a lot)

Show Jumping (Ireland has always been quality in this sport but is definitely niche - more the rich set or rural people who were born into the sport)

Rowing (O'Donovan's are the ones everyone knows - other than that the sport would not even be thought of)

Badminton (Did alright in the Olympics one year - not heard of since)

Darts (I know there are some Irish players don't know names, a fella from Tyrone?)

Sailing (Annalise Murphy is all I ever heard of)

Cricket (Had their moments in the sun about 14 years ago - damn all profile since)

Hockey - (women did well fairly recently - but I honestly could name a single player)

Tennis - a funny one people know a lot of a lot of the main foreign stars but in an Irish context seems very niche - would not know where to place it.
Was some fella called Nugent years ago? Plus Tommy Carr's (Former GAA) young fella - he is supposed to be decent at under age level. Only hear of him by virtue of who his father is.

--


Just thinking about it unless a sports star has a profile, or plays in a well followed sport. The only way for a person to get notice is to go above and beyond the norm. Olympic level, or be right near the top of that sport.

Because otherwise the Irish media will not latch on to it. The only way Bennett would get proper notice is if he 'did a Roche'. And that is a ridiculously high bar.

When you think of the pool and depth of strength in the sport of Cycling Bennett has to compete with. Versus the pool and level of talent Taylor has to compete with. It seems that Bennett has a virtually impossible task, If he cannot win the sports award in a quiet year for the main sports. What hope has he got?

Lost Ormond

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

It would be I would say. It has not got a profile since those two lads.
Boxing would have a higher profile than cycling in Ireland. Even though in my view both could be described as niche sports in Ireland.

Top of my head main sports in order:

GAA (National Sport),
Soccer (Media Saturated)
Rugby (high media presence and culture)
Horse Racing (Irish horses and trainers dominate)
Golf (Top quality Irish golfers)

-
Other:

Boxing (Katie and her male counterparts punch above their weight in the Olympics)

Cycling (Martin now Bennett leading a small resurgence of notice) ,
Snooker (has really dipped Ken Doherty hanging on)

Basketball (Had it's heyday in the mid to late 80's never the same since - cup final gets covered on the telly)

Swimming ( I know there was a young female swimmer who recently did something, the fact I cannot remember says a lot)

Show Jumping (Ireland has always been quality in this sport but is definitely niche - more the rich set or rural people who were born into the sport)

Rowing (O'Donovan's are the ones everyone knows - other than that the sport would not even be thought of)

Badminton (Did alright in the Olympics one year - not heard of since)

Darts (I know there are some Irish players don't know names, a fella from Tyrone?)

Sailing (Annalise Murphy is all I ever heard of)

Cricket (Had their moments in the sun about 14 years ago - damn all profile since)

Tennis - a funny one people know a lot of a lot of the main foreign stars but in an Irish context seems very niche - would not know where to place it.
Was some fella called Nugent years ago? Plus Tommy Carr's (Former GAA) young fella - he is supposed to be decent at under age level. Only hear of him by virtue of who his father is.

--

Just thinking about it unless a sports star has a profile, or plays in a well followed sport. The only way for a person to get notice is to go above and beyond the norm. Olympic level, or be right near the top of that sport.

Because otherwise the Irish media will not latch on to it. The only way Bennett would get proper notice is if he did a Roche. And that is a ridiculously high bar.

When you think of the pool and depth of strength in the sport of Cycling Bennett has to compete with. Verus the pool and level of talent Taylor has to compete with. It seems that Bennett has a virtually impossible task, If he cannot win the sports award in a quiet year for the main sports. What hope has he got?

Would agree with lot of that.
Agree about top 5. Theyve most interest, support and players.
Bit harsh to say about rowing its O Donovans but Puspure and then skibbs mccarthys etc

Crickets had loads of profile since that 07 world cup. That broke through into the media but there's been another few world cups they made a few big shocks in. Then there rise to play test cricket. Playing a test v England in Lords etc.

gormdubhgorm

Lost Ormond wrote: »

Would agree with lot of that.
Agree about top 5. Theyve most interest, support and players.
Bit harsh to say about rowing its O Donovans but Puspure and then skibbs mccarthys etc

Crickets had loads of profile since that 07 world cup. That broke through into the media but there's been another few world cups they made a few big shocks in. Then there rise to play test rugby. Playing a test v England in Lords etc.

I was deliberately working on memory and without internet searches. So I give an honest listing. Olympics are a saviour for a lot of the smaller sports - suddenly if anyone Irish looks half decent. Every man and his dog is an expert.

Or it has to be in some major championship if not the Olympics. The main sports do not have this bar at all. Plus it is easier for them as they have already achieved a certain level in the sport. The niche sports many are working from way down the field and might only get that high profile day once every four years or so.

I honestly admire Taylor in that sense she created her profile and worked damn hard to do so. But I don't think she would have the award this year only for that profile.

I looked at the BBC sports personality awards list. I am not sure if it is comparing like with like. But it seems very mixed. Lewis Hamilton won it and Ronnie O'Sullivan was shortlisted (first time for a long time for a snooker player - lower profile sport).

titan18

titan18 wrote: »

If we had a top level race here, I think it would become a bit bigger, and the Ras did try for a few years and managed to bring over some big teams during the 2000s but money wasn't really there. Shame as we have some nice roads, and as seen when Giro and Tour have come here in the past, people will line out to cheer on the riders.

We don't have the mountains for those guys, but definitely have the terrain to do a hard one day race.

The Tour of Ireland was a thing once up on a time. Was usually run over 3-5 days and did surprisingly well in terms of the riders/teams it attracted, looking at the start list for the 2009 edition there are names there who are still riding today at world tour level and would be considered very successful.

Would have been better known as the Nissan Classic in those years when Kelly was winning it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_Ireland

Beasty

Sam Hain wrote: »

Neither boxing nor cycling are proper sports, they kinda just masquerade as sports.

Cycling is a sport, and a leisure activity.

It helped me drop 35kg. Going from being within touching distance of diabetes to being healthier (now in my 60s) than I have been since my school years.

It's an activity that I stated a competitive "career" at 49, and took part in my first world championships at 51.

I would welcome your thoughts of what constitutes a "proper" sport, if it's not cycling.

weldoninhio

Captain Havoc wrote: »

That's like saying a goalkeeper shouldn't get player of the season because he didn't score any goals. Or like saying the yellow jersey winner shouldn't get it because he didn't many stages.

It’s more like saying ‘He made the save of the season but his team was relegated and he conceded 65 goals’.

gormdubhgorm

Sam Hain wrote: »

Neither boxing nor cycling are proper sports, they kinda just masquerade as sports.

How are they not sports?

It is people competing with each that take mental and physical strength.

Not only that they both take tremendous physical exertion.

Much more than a sport like football would, for example.

In fact road cycling is only behind ironman triathlons, in terms of physical exertion.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/athletics/definitive-ranking-10-most-exhausting-sports-in-the-world/4

weldoninhio

FileNotFound wrote: »

Not sure how you missed an Irish athlete reach the top in one of the worlds largest sports.

Sad reflection on our media really.

Taylor beat up some pro amateurs in her promoters back yard.

Literally young Bennett is national champ, multi tour stage winner, Tdf Green Jersey winner, literally has to beat the best every day he wins and won on the champs.

If your not into cycling it might not mean much. It was so good the whole cycling world stopped and applauded.

A clean cyclist who came up through the Irish scene and supports the sport here.

Wrong gender this year

I, like many others here, had no idea who Bennett was before I opened this thread. He’s in a niche “sport”. It’d be like us having a badminton or ping-pong champ. Not enough people care about his sport for him to win the SOTY prize.

weldoninhio

weldoninhio wrote: »

I, like many others here, had no idea who Bennett was before I opened this thread. He’s in a niche “sport”. It’d be like us having a badminton or ping-pong champ. Not enough people care about his sport for him to win the SOTY prize.

Ah lad, cycling isn't a niche sport.
Maybe in Ireland, with anything other than FAA and the garrison game, being niche or elitist.
On the continent its massive.

I reckon far more worldwide know who Bennet is than Taylor after this summer.

The Tour de France is the biggest annual sporting event there is in terms of viewing numbers. Then depending on where you look it's either top 3 or top 5 in an Olympic or World Cup year.

darlett

Iodine1 wrote: »

Probably going against the populist mob but Katie, while a great sports star did nothing in 2020 compared to the achievements world wide by Sam Bennett. I don't think the anonymous RTE panel put any time into researching what Bennett achieved. At risk of drawing the woke mob, but look realistically, what do you think?

Yeah thought it was brutal decision. No discredit to KT but she has done massive things in other years, but Sam had a lot of the country proudly on the edge of their seats for days on end, I was so delighted to see him cross that finishing line in style, very emotional uplifting moment.

Arduach

The I don't know Sam Bennett but I know KT Taylor argument is hilarious.

I suppose the Sports Star of the year should really have been given to Roy Keane in 2020. Everyone knows him.

It doesn't really matter that he retired in the mid noughties, he's a 'name'.

COVID

Not casting any aspersions on Sam Bennet, his reputation is untarnished thus far.
But I'm not surprised that the anonymous RTE panel didn't choose him as the 2020 'Sports Person of the Year', even if he was one of the official nominees.
No amount of whataboutery can gainsay the fact that professional cycling's reputation as a 'clean' sport is still in the toilet.
It's less than ten years since self-confessed doper supreme Lance Armstrong appeared on the Oprey Winfrey show stating: ''I didn't invent the culture, but I didn't try to stop the culture, and that's my mistake.''

So now that there's a new generation of professional cyclists, its supporters and enthusiasts would have us - the slightly more sceptical - believe that it's all fine and dandy and that the performance-enhancing drug culture, endemic to pro-cycling and prevalent since the 19th century in cycle racing, has changed, and changed utterly, there's nothing to see here now, move along...the leopard in the room has changed his spots!

Really?

Btw, a quick glance through Wiki produced this comical gem: '' The acceptance of drug-taking in the Tour de France was so complete by 1930 that the rule book, distributed by Henri Desgrange, reminded riders that drugs would not be provided by the organisers.''

gormdubhgorm

COVID wrote: »

Not casting any aspersions on Sam Bennet, his reputation is untarnished thus far.
But I'm not surprised that the anonymous RTE panel didn't choose him as the 2020 'Sports Person of the Year', even if he was one of the official nominees.
No amount of whataboutery can gainsay the fact that professional cycling's reputation as a 'clean' sport is still in the toilet.
It's less than ten years since self-confessed doper supreme Lance Armstrong appeared on the Oprey Winfrey show stating: ''I didn't invent the culture, but I didn't try to stop the culture, and that's my mistake.''

So now that there's a new generation of professional cyclists, its supporters and enthusiasts would have us - the slightly more sceptical - believe that it's all fine and dandy and that the performance-enhancing drug culture, endemic to pro-cycling and prevalent since the 19th century in cycle racing, has changed, and changed utterly, there's nothing to see here now, move along...the leopard in the room has changed his spots!

Really?

Btw, a quick glance through Wiki produced this comical gem: '' The acceptance of drug-taking in the Tour de France was so complete by 1930 that the rule book, distributed by Henri Desgrange, reminded riders that drugs would not be provided by the organisers.''

OK all that is argument about the sport itself rather than the reputation of the individual. If Bennett as individual was legitimately questioned as a individual then I would understand.

This line argument is brought into more contrast when you realise that Michelle Smith won the award in 1996. She was never proven as a drugs cheat, she was never stripped of her medals.

All Smith was ever found guilty of was tampering with a sample. A very successful Barrister she is now instead....with a cert in Cert. in Bioethics (Law, Medicine & Ethics of Genetics & Reproductive Technologies) from Harvard.


Also Conor McGregor, won the award in 2016 not what you would call a 'role model' and certainly morally questionable.


In light of those two individuals on the winners list (IMO) they would still far over shadow any might's or maybes that some people would like to imply about Bennett. Just because of the history of the sport he competes in.

breezy1985

COVID wrote: »

Not casting any aspersions on Sam Bennet, his reputation is untarnished thus far.
But I'm not surprised that the anonymous RTE panel didn't choose him as the 2020 'Sports Person of the Year', even if he was one of the official nominees.
No amount of whataboutery can gainsay the fact that professional cycling's reputation as a 'clean' sport is still in the toilet.
It's less than ten years since self-confessed doper supreme Lance Armstrong appeared on the Oprey Winfrey show stating: ''I didn't invent the culture, but I didn't try to stop the culture, and that's my mistake.''

So now that there's a new generation of professional cyclists, its supporters and enthusiasts would have us - the slightly more sceptical - believe that it's all fine and dandy and that the performance-enhancing drug culture, endemic to pro-cycling and prevalent since the 19th century in cycle racing, has changed, and changed utterly, there's nothing to see here now, move along...the leopard in the room has changed his spots!

Really?

Btw, a quick glance through Wiki produced this comical gem: '' The acceptance of drug-taking in the Tour de France was so complete by 1930 that the rule book, distributed by Henri Desgrange, reminded riders that drugs would not be provided by the organisers.''

A boxer won FFS definitely a sport with skeletons. Find me any sport doesnt have drug problems. One of the best soccer players of all time took growth hormones and even some of our own were at it
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-10079682.html

Redrum123

weldoninhio wrote: »

I, like many others here, had no idea who Bennett was before I opened this thread. He’s in a niche “sport”. It’d be like us having a badminton or ping-pong champ. Not enough people care about his sport for him to win the SOTY prize.

Anyone who thinks cycling is a niche sport needs their head examined. Eight thousand Irish people have cycling Ireland racing licenses alone. Not to mention another 18,000 non competitive sportive riders that ride every weekend. Not to mention the mountain bikers, of which the majority will not be registered. Cycling is one of the biggest participation sports in the country and it is not as big here as it is in Europe. That makes it bigger than Boxing, MMA, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, darts, snooker, etc. Gaa, athletics (which is a bunch of different sports rather than 1) and soccer are about the only things bigger than cycling.

Just because you are unaware of its popularity doesn't make it niche, it just shows your ignorance.

old_aussie

Bennett robbed at RTE sports awards.

if it was a fancy bike he was robbed of, I heard a rumour it's for sale on adverts.

weldoninhio

Redrum123 wrote: »

Anyone who thinks cycling is a niche sport needs their head examined. Eight thousand Irish people have cycling Ireland racing licenses alone. Not to mention another 18,000 non competitive sportive riders that ride every weekend. Not to mention the mountain bikers, of which the majority will not be registered. Cycling is one of the biggest participation sports in the country and it is not as big here as it is in Europe. That makes it bigger than Boxing, MMA, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, darts, snooker, etc. Gaa, athletics (which is a bunch of different sports rather than 1) and soccer are about the only things bigger than cycling.

Just because you are unaware of its popularity doesn't make it niche, it just shows your ignorance.

Go away out of that. Stop 100 people on Grafton Street and ask them to name a current cyclist and no one would be able. You have MAMILs out at the weekend annoying the fcuk out of motorists and pedestrians, they aren't taking part in any sport. It'd be like me saying walking is the most popular sport because everyone I know like to go for a walk at least once a week.

Montage of Feck

Sam Hain wrote: »

Neither boxing nor cycling are proper sports, they kinda just masquerade as sports.

"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games"
- Ernest Hemingway

Wanderer78

Absolutely agree with the op

Montage of Feck

Its almost like rte didn't care, they put it on at a strange time slot, didn't have correct stock photos and obliviously hadn't much research done.

weldoninhio

weldoninhio wrote: »

Go away out of that. Stop 100 people on Grafton Street and ask them to name a current cyclist and no one would be able. You have MAMILs out at the weekend annoying the fcuk out of motorists and pedestrians, they aren't taking part in any sport. It'd be like me saying walking is the most popular sport because everyone I know like to go for a walk at least once a week.

We're getting to the nub of it.

Whats the difference between a few fat lads on €3k bikes heading up a mountain for some cake, and a few lads kicking a bit of pvc around a field before a pint?

All sports matter

weldoninhio

MikeOxsgreen wrote: »

We're getting to the nub of it.

Whats the difference between a few fat lads on €3k bikes heading up a mountain for some cake, and a few lads kicking a bit of pvc around a field before a pint?

All sports matter

Whats the difference between 2 biddies going for a walk? Is walking Ireland's most popular sport?

weldoninhio

weldoninhio wrote: »

Whats the difference between 2 biddies going for a walk? Is walking Ireland's most popular sport?

What was the thing Rob Hefferenan was good at. The auld ones are just slower

weldoninhio

MikeOxsgreen wrote: »

What was the thing Rob Hefferenan was good at. The auld ones are just slower

So we agree, walking is Ireland most popular sport.

a_squirrelman

weldoninhio wrote: »

So we agree, walking is Ireland most popular sport.

But they didn't say cycling was the most popular sport, they said it was more popular than some other sports. Boxing, MMA, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, darts, snooker specifically.

a_squirrelman

weldoninhio wrote: »

Go away out of that. Stop 100 people on Grafton Street and ask them to name a current cyclist and no one would be able. You have MAMILs out at the weekend annoying the fcuk out of motorists and pedestrians, they aren't taking part in any sport. It'd be like me saying walking is the most popular sport because everyone I know like to go for a walk at least once a week.

And trying to say these lads are not taking part in a sport is nonsense :pac: those lads cycle some amount of kms, hop up on a bike there and come back to us after 60k and let us know how you get on.

bocaman

Yes Sam Bennett should have won it for 2020. But cycling just isn't that popular and Sam's achievements aren't appreciated.

weldoninhio

weldoninhio wrote: »

So we agree, walking is Ireland most popular sport.

I'd argue you're agreeing with me!
(If we accept walking is a sport)

Haven't said anything to the contrary though AFAIR

weldoninhio

a_squirrelman wrote: »

But they didn't say cycling was the most popular sport, they said it was more popular than some other sports. Boxing, MMA, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, darts, snooker specifically.

Neither did I. But walking must be, people from toddlers to geriatrics and everyone in between does it. Watch a football or GAA game and you'll see athletes doing it inbetween having the ball. Pretty much anyone that can walk, does, at multiple times a day.

a_squirrelman

weldoninhio wrote: »

Neither did I. But walking must be, people from toddlers to geriatrics and everyone in between does it. Watch a football or GAA game and you'll see athletes doing it inbetween having the ball. Pretty much anyone that can walk, does, at multiple times a day.

Eh....ok. :rolleyes:

If the award is to the person who has excelled the most in their respective fields, Bennet should have won it.

Katie, excellent in her area, won two fights, with maybe a couple 100 girls boxing to a decent standard globally, out of about 20,000 who practise the sport.

100s of 1,000s of cyclists globally, 10s of 1,000s professional/aspiring professionals of a decent standard. Millions of sumday morning MAMILS. Sam beat the best of them, several times this year.

Open to correction on the numbers, point being far more high standard cyclists, then female boxers.

breezy1985

Montage of Feck wrote: »

"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games"
- Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway was a complete gobsh1te and a spoofer though