The Road to Croker
| The Road to Croker | |
|---|---|
 RTÉ advertisement for the episode hosted byBertie Ahernin August 2008 | |
| Genre | Sports magazine |
| Presented by | Des Cahill |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Original languages | English Irish |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | RTÉ Two |
| Release | April 2007– September 2009 |
| Related | |
| The Committee Room | |
The Road to Crokeris a magazine style sports television programme broadcast onRTÉ Twoduring theGaelic gamesseason. The programme featured input from clubs, players and managers orBanisteoirí.RetiredGaelic Athletic Associationfigures, such asMichael "Babs" Keating,also made contributions.[1]The "Croker" in the title refers to the stadiumCroke Parkwhere the season draws to a close in September with the finals inGaelic footballandhurling.The programme was nominated at theIrish Film and Television Awards(IFTAs).[2]
The Road to Crokerwas produced by Loose Horse.[3]Episodes were recorded in GAA clubs around Ireland, includingClarinbridgeGAA Club inCounty Galway.[4]That episode was recorded on the day before it was broadcast.[4]Episodes were originally broadcast on RTÉ Two on Thursday evenings but the programme was moved to a new slot on Friday evenings for the 2009 season.[4][5]In September 2009 the programme was axed and disbanded. Two years later it was replaced byThe Committee Room(laterChampionship Matters).
Presenters
[edit]The Road to Crokerwas originally presented byDes Cahill.FormerTaoiseachBertie Ahernpresented one episode during August 2008 when Cahill was attendingRTÉ Radio's coverage of the2008 Summer OlympicsinBeijing.[3][6]Cahill commented at the time: "With Bertie's proven love and knowledge of GAA, I've no doubt that I'm leaving the show in safe hands".[6]Miriam Lord, writing inThe Irish Timesafter the episode, said Ahern "may have looked and sounded a bit wooden" but that he "didn't put a foot wrong".[7]Two other episodes were presented byBrian Gleesonat this time also.[3]Patrick Kieltytook over as host when Cahill moved to present the television highlights packageThe Sunday Gameto replace his predecessorPat Spillane;Kielty used the show to speak about how GAA had influenced his earlystand-up comedy.[2][5][8][9]
References
[edit]- ^"70 minutes from All-Ireland day".Waterford News & Star.10 August 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 18 November 2007.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^ab"Cahill for 'The Sunday Game'".Irish Film and Television Network.9 April 2008.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^abc"Ahern Steps In For 'The Road To Croker'".Irish Film and Television Network.12 August 2008.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^abc"Clarenbridge on road to Croker".Galway Independent.18 July 2007.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^abMichael Lavery (29 June 2008)."Comedian and all-Ireland winner Kielty to take 'uniquely irreverent' turn on the Road to Croker".Evening Herald.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^ab"Bertie back for The Road to Croker".RTÉ.11 August 2008.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^Miriam Lord (22 August 2008)."Bending it like Bertie on the Road to Croker".The Irish Times.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^"Star of the Day".RTÉ Guide.18 May 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 17 February 2013.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^Breda Heffernan (9 October 2009)."'Sunday Game' on for Des Cahill ".Irish Independent.Retrieved25 October2009.