Michael Verney: Why are so many of the best GAA games no longer freely available on tv?
Apart from two of the trio being aptly-named in the context of this piece about the GAA's television scheduling fiasco, that is the programming featured across RTÉ One and RTÉ2 at the same time as the ball is being thrown in two blockbuster All-Ireland SFC clashes.
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Not Going Out, The Butcher Boy and The Orkney Assassin
Rásaí Beo TG4, 5.15pm & 7.15pm Seán Bán Breathnach presents live coverage from Cork Racecourse in Mallow. The action continues after the evening's news and weather. The Zoo RTÉ One, 8.30pm Zookeeper Julie meets some of the residents at Monkey World in England. Her colleague Brigitte, meanwhile, is in Wexford to help local seal rescuers prepare one of the animals in their care for its release back into the wild. Sally Bretton and Lee Mack return for the 14th series. Their alter egos, Lucy and Lee, are now empty-nesters who decide to move to the countryside. Don't Worry Darling RTÉ One, 9.35pm Director Olivia Wilde's 1950s-set thriller was much maligned on its release, but thanks to an intriguing premise, deserves another look. A suburban housewife grows increasingly concerned that her husband's company is hiding dark secrets. Florence Pugh and Harry Styles play the couple. The Butcher Boy RTÉ2, 9.45pm Dark comedy from Neil Jordan in which the behaviour of a boy from a dysfunctional family begins to spiral out of control. Eamonn Owens, Stephen Rea, Sinéad O'Connor and Milo O'Shea star. Call Her Alex Disney+, streaming now Back in October 2024, just less than a month before the election, Kamala Harris went on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Her appearance on such a highly popularised new medium was meant to nail her bid for the presidency. Instead, we have Trump and Stephen Miller in the White House and lingering whimpers of 'Why didn't Kamala go on Joe Rogan instead?' Such retrospection is, unfortunately, futile at this point. So, instead, let's find out more about Alex Cooper and what it took to become the most influential female podcaster of a generation. Directed by Ry Russo-Young (Nuclear Family), this two-part docuseries follows Cooper from a shy Pennsylvania kid to a progressive sex-and-dating podcaster, evolving over six years into the CEO of a media empire. More than a success story, it's a portrait of a person creating a space where women feel heard (and their respective others in their life can glean some often-necessary pointers). The Survivors Netflix, streaming now We're mostly used to two types of Australian viewing: soaps and super-dry (to the point of cringe) comedy. This is different. The drama follows Kieran Elliott's life after two people drown in his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Australia. To top it off, a young girl also went missing. Returning with his family 15 years later, the simmering guilt resurfaces, especially when the body of a young woman is found on the beach… K.O. Netflix, streaming now No one does visceral city grit like the French. Bastien has lived as a recluse since accidentally killing his opponent Enzo in an MMA fight three years ago. Now, Enzo's widow tracks him down as, essentially, he owes her one. Her request? Find her missing teenage son. Tyler Perry's Straw Netflix, streaming now Between this and last month's release of She the People, Mr Tyler Perry is getting himself around. This offering, however, is far more stark than May's fare. Here, one mum's day unfurls as it goes from tricky to catastrophic. Pushed to the precipice by a world that seems indifferent to her plight (until they can livestream it), she soon gets attention when she unwittingly holds up a bank. The Orkney Assassin Prime Video, streaming now The Orkney Isles lie 130 miles north of Aberdeen. It's a peaceful place with a strong sense of community. In June 1994, however, Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood was working at the lone curry house when a masked man fatally shot him. This documentary revisits one of Scotland's most extraordinary murder cases, examining racism, loyalty, and the impact of trauma decades later. Ocean with David Attenborough Disney+, streaming now The man who will never retire explores stunning ocean habitats, highlighting the challenges for marine-life recovery. The Astroworld Tragedy Netflix, streaming now On November 5, 2021, Travis Scott stepped on stage to perform at Astroworld, which ended in the deaths of 10 people. An exclusive look told from the perspective of the survivors, paramedics and staff who were at the centre of this tragedy. Cocaine Air Netflix, streaming now Indeed, it's wall-to-wall documentaries this week. On March 20, 2013, four French nationals were arrested on a private jet at Punta Cana airport. On board: 700kg of cocaine in 26 suitcases. All lack the profile of an international drug smuggler, and no one knows who owns the luggage.
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Lowe says Sexton brings wealth of knowledge and tour experience to table
There were plenty of faces you couldn't miss as the Lions assembled for the first time, with London the venue of the initial meet-and-greet. David Nucifora was one – a penny for his thoughts on the week the IRFU scrapped the men's Sevens programme he invested so heavily in. Johnny Sexton was another. Less than a year into his coaching career he continues to hold Andy Farrell's trust to the extent he joins fellow Ireland assistants Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty on the Lions ticket. When announcing his squad earlier this month Farrell said that Sexton's role would be kicking and skills – akin to Neil Jenkins in times gone by. Yet we still haven't had much of a window into Sexton the coach, what he's like to work with. Were the IRFU right to cut the men's Sevens? Listen | 37:30 That was until James Lowe was asked about his former team-mate and, clearly based on his answer, good friend. Has Sexton the coach changed much from Sexton the player? READ MORE 'He's scary as anything still, he's so intense, man,' quipped Lowe. 'I've never met a man who's constantly so intense. It's funny cus [Manchester] United aren't doing too flash at the moment, he's United till he dies. Just sledge him about that.' On a more serious note Lowe agrees with his boss Farrell in terms of what Sexton brings to the table. 'He's a great lad with a wealth of knowledge, a few tours under his belt,' said the wing. Farrell himself has previously asked why wouldn't he lean on Sexton's experience when justifying the decision to pick someone with such little coaching experience. Thankfully Lowe went into more detail, offering a look at how Sexton operates on a day-to-day basis on the training paddock. Ireland's Johnny Sexton and James Lowe against South Africa at the World Cup in France in September 2023. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho 'When he was with Ireland he mainly worked with the 10s and the kickers,' he said. 'I would work in with him there. He's so harsh in how he tries to prepare you for a game, makes you understand the context of what's going to happen if you don't get things right. In terms of kicking, poor kicks can just feed backlines. 'Off the top of my head kicking a ball to [Blair] Kinghorn and Duhan [van der Merwe], it's not smart. You want to get that ball off, even Darcy Graham on the other side. He just puts things into context. 'I know he does a few bits goal-kicking with the 60-second timer. Sometimes he'll literally roll a ball 20, 30 metres, make the boys go and get the ball and put it on the tee. The clock's started. 'He's got an aura about him which I'm sure you've all experienced. It's not nice when he's screaming at you, you want to get on his good side.' The good-natured ribbing didn't stop there. Cue jokes about no one being surprised that Sexton couldn't stay away from the game for long, an initial part-time role with Ireland turning into a Lions gig and a full-time IRFU position within 18 months of retiring. Jamison Gibson-Park, Sexton's former halfback partner, quipped that we 'can't shake him'. As for Lowe, he also recalled the day he lined out against the Lions for the Maori All Blacks in 2017. The touring side won 32-10. 'They blew us off the park in terms of intensity, basics of the game, ferocity at the breakdown, scraps, any loose ball,' said Lowe, who recalls lining out alongside future Leinster team-mate Rieko Ioane in the Maori backfield. 'To be honest we were beaten off the park that day. It was an introduction into what it actually meant for the boys to play for the Lions. A level of intensity that was unmatched.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
McDonnell expects 'eager' Armagh to deliver despite rotation
Armagh great Stevie McDonnell expects the All-Ireland champions to make a concerted effort to try and knock last year's runners-up Galway out of the championship on Saturday. A defeat for Pádraic Joyce's side in Cavan's Kingspan Breffni Park combined with what happens in Páirc Esler in Newry between Derry and Dublin could be enough to send the Connacht winners out of the competition. Knowing manager Kieran McGeeney as he does, 2003 footballer of the year McDonnell expects Armagh to try and put their rivals on the rack despite the Ulster finalists having already qualified for the All-Ireland quarter-finals at the end of the month. 'Armagh are going to make changes, but those changes will be seamless,' says the 2002 All-Ireland winner and three-time All-Star. 'Like, Greg McCabe will probably get game time, Connaire Mackin, Blaine Hughes may come in. You saw the run on the form that he went on last year. 'Tomás McCormack has been extremely unlucky to miss out on corner-back over the last couple of games. He's had a fantastic league campaign and played really well against Antrim as well. 'These boys are going to come in with an eagerness and a hunger as well to impress before the All-Ireland quarter-final. So, if anything, it may play into our hands a wee bit. Read More Nine big questions ahead of a blockbuster Sam Maguire weekend 'Regardless of what team they put out, Armagh will be good enough and strong enough to go out and beat Galway. The strength of their squad is there for everybody to see, and I think that's the stance they should be going at.' McGeeney demonstrated last year that he picks on form and that approach will give those beginning Saturday's final All-Ireland SFC Group 4 game massive incentive to perform, McDonnell believes. 'If I had a starting 15 jersey this weekend, I'd be making it as hard as possible for the management not to pick me for the quarter-final. You saw last year the likes of Barry McCambridge and Niall Grimley coming good late in the season. Those two players were absolutely fantastic from quarter-final stage on. 'I don't think it's in the management's DNA, I don't think it's in the players' DNA to go out and underperform or taking things easy just because there's a quarter-final in a couple of weeks. They certainly won't be doing that this weekend.' McGeeney doesn't do half-measures as McDonnell realised several times when they were teammates. 'One game that sticks out in my mind was the 2003 qualifier against Dublin. First half, we were lacklustre and average at best. Second half, we came out a different animal, and a million percent Geezer and Joe [Kernan] would have fucked us out of it at half-time. Geezer will give the kick up the backside if he sees a drop-off.' McDonnell doesn't go as far as saying there is Galway blood in the water but there are doubts surrounding them. Read More Chrissy McKaigue: I still feel Derry are a contender for Sam Maguire 'It's hard to know where they are at right now. They haven't been hitting the levels they have the last few years. Are they able to cope without marquee players like Armagh did when Rian O'Neill wasn't available? 'Damien Comer came off the bench against Derry but they will probably need more from him. Shane Walsh's form has been up and down but I've no doubt he will be a handful this weekend. 'It's Galway consistency that is letting them down. For long periods of the game against Derry, they were outplayed. Then they started to play a bit of football and came back at Derry and they probably could have kicked on and won the game when they were looking dead and buried with 15 or 20 minutes left.'
