It’s Tuesday and those of you lucky individuals who will be heading across the Atlantic later in the week are, no doubt, already in the throes of packing and all that. On that topic, have you got your ESTA stuff sorted yet?
I’m only going a bit in that direction myself later today – more on that anon – but with the big occasion over in New York fast approaching I am, I must admit, feeling a bit wistful that I’m missing out on the trip. I’ve known for months, however, that other priorities were going to detain me here at the weekend so that dulls somewhat the sense of disappointment.
Those of us marooned over here, not to mention those of you who may not be able to get into Gaelic Park, will have to do with radio commentary of the game. Both RTÉ and Midwest will be broadcasting it on radio so it’s not as if we’ll be completely cut off from proceedings.
As I mentioned yesterday in the comments, Mayo GAA TV did look at possibility of streaming the match, a fact confirmed by Mayo GAA PRO Paul Cunnane in the Mayo News (paper and digital variants) today. Enquiries were made with the rights holders – RTÉ and Sky – but permission to stream the game wasn’t forthcoming. TG4 hold the rights to show highlights and they’ll be broadcasting a highlights programme on Monday evening at 8pm.
The Mayo News, by the way, is well worth getting a hold of today, as there’s a twelve-page supplement containing loads of news and colour about the New York trip. While the match is, of course, the centrepiece of the weekend, the event involves way more than that, touching on the strong links between the county and New York – they’re neighbouring parishes after all, just with a large body of water between them – as well broader themes about emigration and the yearning for home.
Much of this background colour features in the supplement, as well as plenty of match-day information. There’s also some team news – it looks, for example, as if captain Diarmuid O’Connor and one or two others will be sitting this match out, but James Horan is taking his entire championship panel to New York, as they’re staying on over there for a short training camp afterwards.
Speaking of the panel, the Connaught Telegraph yesterday confirmed details of the 35 players who feature in it. There are no surprises on the list – which is here – as the names of those omitted from the panel following the League were already known, as were details of those on the development panel, some of whom may feature on the panel proper before the summer is out.
New York manager Justin O’Halloran has been generous with the media of late – he’s also, as well as James Horan, on our New York preview episode of the Mayo News football podcast, which is definitely worth a listen – and there are a few pieces with him that you might want to have a look at: Keith Duggan in the Irish Times, John Fallon in the Irish Sun, Ger Flanagan in the Mayo News. There’s also a piece today by Neil Loughran on New York skipper Niall Madine in the Irish News – that’s here.
As I said at the top, I’m heading a bit of the way to New York myself later on today as I’m driving across country, all the way to Rossport in the far northwest of the county for this evening’s podcast live event from Gaelcholáiste Chomáin. This is a new departure for us on the podcast and we’re looking forward to seeing how this very different medium will work out for us. Sure, if nothing else it’s something to do on a damp Tuesday evening.
If you’re in the locality later on then you’re heartily welcome to drop along for the event, which starts at 8pm. We’ll also be streaming it live via Facebook. I’ll stick up a separate post once I get there with a link to the live event so you can, if you want, watch it from here on the blog as well. ‘Till later, then.
I hope Colm Parkinson gives the whole tv rights thing a good lashing on Thursday. For our national competition kick off and such a potential good tv game with all the razzmatazz to be just sidelined. Absolutely because of the cost of sending 5 staff to New York assuming you would need around 5 staff for such a broadcast.
RTE and Sky are ***** for not releasing rights to this game…
To be fair JP if RTE were sending there would be far more than 5 staff, it would be more like 20, all would be flying Business class and staying only in the finest of Hotels for at least a week to settle in beforehand.
Also it would probably involve transporting Spillane and serial Bulls***ter Brolly over for the jolly too.
Sure why wouldn’t they have an auld jaunt on the back of the licence fee?.
TG4 would have a max of 5, that much I can guarantee you.
Just copying below on what was said on another forum, a mayo observer to Gaelic Park yesterday said:
“Was in park last night and hats off to New York county board in their preparation for the big game. They’ve done tremendous work in the last two week to get facility ready. Tickets should not be a problem I’m told. If you get there early you can buy them at gate. It appears that there is way more space than last year so I think it will hold up to seven thousand easily.”
You’ll have do drop into Denny’s for a 7 up Willie Joe when you’re in Rossport enjoy the journey and the breathtaking views of North Mayo and Erris. I was in NY myself 5 years ago for the match it was a trip of a lifetime unbelievable Craic and athmosphere for the 5 days I was there best of luck to everyone traveling it will be might Craic. Alas I’m not going this time but we will have a good summer with Mayo this year
Nicer views from Connolly’s pub in Stonefield (follow directions for Ceathrú Thaidg) if you’re down that direction.
Well worth taking the time to go for a drive as far as Kilgalligan and Rinroe if you’re there and there is any daylight left in the evening. It’s only 10 minutes from the Coláiste in Rossport.
I can’t imagine RTE sending 20 staff for what would be a one main fixed camera match and one camera for local studio.
Two camera men, one sound engineer, one electrician one logistics, one presenter, one producer and have just one paid usual presenter. The analysts from New York and Mayo being picked from already out there travelling. That’s eight staff. More than 5 I stated.
Quote from Yew Tree
yew_tree says:
April 30, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Just copying below on what was said on another forum, a mayo observer to Gaelic Park yesterday said:
“Was in park last night and hats off to New York county board in their preparation for the big game. They’ve done tremendous work in the last two week to get facility ready. Tickets should not be a problem I’m told. If you get there early you can buy them at gate. It appears that there is way more space than last year so I think it will hold up to seven thousand easily.”
That is pure and utter nonsense and is actually giving folks false hope.
Seven Thousand
I’d imagine they could do a deal with whoever is recording it, as it is being showed later in the pubs of NY!
Your right FBD those are fine views rinroe and kilagalligan have some of the finest views down the side below looking across the ferry towards Paddy Mc Graths
I have observed RTE outside broadcasts for 20 years. The man power they employ is crazy. Estimating 20 heads on the road is being very gracious towards their operations unit. While you are probably correct about expecting a better service on this, you are missing nothing such is the poor service levels they deliver.
Best wishes to all the supporters traveling over to NY. A great town and I am sure a great weekend in store for the traveling Mayo supporters.
Is there any way of seeing this game live on Sunday evening??
To be fair JP I was probably being a little flippant, though what resources RTE might realistically need to use and resources they actually expend are usually 2 very different sets of numbers altogether.
They could learn a lot from how TG4 operate to an arguably higher standard with considerably less resource, to be fair.
Worrying news about Diarmuid O’Connor.
Heard about it yesterday, but obeyed house rules.
Now Hogan Stand have tweeted that he could miss out on Sunday.
If my info is correct, it’s not the only game he’ll miss.