Celebrity Bainisteoir
| Celebrity Bainisteoir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Animo Television Kite Entertainment |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| No.of seasons | 5 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | RTÉ One |
| Release | 23 March 2008[1]– 2012 |
Celebrity Bainisteoirwas aprime-timereality programmecreated byFiona Looney[2]and first broadcast in 2008 byRTÉ.[3][4]
It involved a number of celebrities competing against each other as aGaelic footballteam coach. The title derived from theIrishword for manager:bainisteoir[ˈbˠanʲəʃtʲoːɾʲ].
The series ran successfully for five years. It was axed in 2013 and replaced withIreland's Fittest Family.
Description[edit]
In the series, eight non-sporting Irish 'celebrities' (see references)[5][6]take the place ofGaelic Athletic Associationbainisteoiríand compete against one another as the managers of intermediate-levelGaelic footballteams. Each contestant managed a club from his or her homecounty.[4]According to an RTÉ executive: 'Celebrity Bainisteoiris a refreshingly Irish take on reality television. Clashing the local passions of grass-roots GAA with the very different worlds of our eight celebrity team leaders, it looks like there'll be drama both on and off thepitch.'[4]As described by one of the producers of the programme:
"Celebrity Bainisteoir is about showcasing and celebrating the passion, skill and commitment of grassroots GAA, but we're having a bit fun with it by throwing celebrities into the mix. At its heart it's a uniquely Irish family entertainment programme. For the clubs it's a rare chance to showcase club football to a national audience in an entertainment programme, while for the celebrities it's a chance to learn a brand new skill."[4]
2008 series[edit]
Contestants[edit]
| Contestant | County | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baz Ashmawy | Wicklow | Ballymanus | TV Presenter |
| Glenda Gilson | Dublin | Crumlin | TV Presenter and Model |
| Jon Kenny | Limerick | Galtee Gaels | Comedian, Actor and Musician |
| Gerald Kean | Cork | Mayfield | Solicitor and Bon Vivant |
| Nell McCafferty | Derry | St. Mary's, Faughanvale | Journalist, Playwright, Civil Rights Campaigner and Feminist |
| Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin | Mayo | Kiltimagh | Ex-Rose of Tralee and TV Presenter |
| Mary O'Rourke/Marty Whelan | Westmeath | Maryland | Former TD and Government Minister |
| Ivan Yates | Wexford | Taghmon-Camross | Bookmaker and Radio Presenter |
The eightbainisteoiríand the teams they managed in the 2008 series are:
- Baz Ashmawy,television presenter from shows such asHow Low Can You Go?and (afterCelebrity Bainisteoir)Fáilte Towers,managed Ballymanus fromWicklow.The Irish Timesreported him managing his team while wearing 'nicely polished footwear'[5]
- Glenda Gilson,amodelandTV presentercalled 'one of Ireland's most photographed faces',[3]managed the Crumlin club fromDublin
- Jon Kenny,actor,comedian,andmusician,managed Galtee Gaels ofLimerick.As part of his strategy, Kenny brought in a group oftraditional Irish musiciansto teach the team a song[7]
- Gerald Kean,solicitorand 'bon vivant', managedCorkclub side Mayfield
- Nell McCafferty,journalist,playwright,civil rights campaigner and feminist, managedSt Mary's FaughanvalefromDerry.At one point she said she asked herself 'what it would be like to work exclusively with men,' and said it was 'so far, extremely difficult'[5]
- Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin,formerRose of Traleeand regular member ofThe Panelon RTÉ Two, managed the Kiltimagh club ofMayo
- Mary O'Rourke,Fianna FáilTDforLongford–Westmeath,managed Maryland ofWestmeath.She was replaced during the competition by television hostMarty Whelan[8]
- Ivan Yates,bookmakerand formerFine Gaelpolitician,managed the Taghmon-Camross fromWexford
The contestants were each assigned an experienced mentor to assist them in training and managing their respective teams, but were responsible for team training and tactics.[4]Glenda Gilson recounted her experiences as being extremely difficult, making her cry on the first day. She said 'I wasn't able for it at all and felt I was like a schoolgirl on a street corner trying to be cool in front of boys' and called the experience the most difficult of her life.[3]
Tournament[edit]
The games featured inCelebrity Bainisteoirprogramme were officially sanctioned by the GAA[3]and consisted of four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and the final. Thecompetitive athleticaspect of the programme was taken seriously byclub supporters.[9]For a semi-final encounter with the Mayo team, for example, supporters from Cork urged their fellow Corkonians to attend by rallying 'People of Cork,your city and your county need your support again...If you care about Cork, You'll be there.'[10]
The final tournament was a 'thrilling encounter'[11]played atParnell ParkinDonnycarney,Dublinon Friday 16 May in front of over four thousand spectators. Of this final competition, one source praised "the much-anticipated meeting marked the conclusion of a tournament that captured the public imagination by combining the raw passion of the GAA grassroots with the glamorous world of celebrity."[11]The captain for Maryland on the day was David Martin. The Maryland GAA team from Westmeath, under the direction of their replacementbainisteoirMarty Whelan, triumphed over the Mayfield GAA from Cork by 8 points the team that were led by Gerald Kean. Maryland then went on to win the Westmeath Intermediate Championship in 2008.[11]
Christmas Challenge[edit]
Broadcast on 28 December 2008, this special edition sees Marty Whelan's winning Maryland team from the first series take onPatrick Kielty'sLondonchampionsTír Chonaill Gaels.
Tír Chonaill Gaels won this game 1–06 to Maryland's 0-07.
2009 series[edit]
Contestants[edit]
| Contestant | County | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray D'Arcy | Kildare | Rathangan | Radio Presenter |
| John Waters | Roscommon | St. Michael's, Cootehall | Journalist |
| Katherine Lynch | Leitrim | St. Patrick's, Dromahair | Comedian and actress |
| Emma O'Driscoll | Limerick | St. Patrick's | Children's TV presenter onThe Den |
| George Hook | Dublin | Cuala | Rugby analyst |
| Andrea Roche | Tipperary | Rockwell Rovers | Model |
| John McGuire | Kerry | Sneem | TV presenter |
| Derek Davis | Down | Glasdrumman | TV presenter |
Series 3[edit]
| Contestant | County | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mairead Farrell | Dublin | Ballymun Kickhams | Radio & TV Presenter |
| Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | Meath | Nobber | TV Presenter |
| Nuala Carey | Offaly | Shannonbridge/Clonmacnoise | Weather woman on RTÉ
|
| Andrew Maxwell | Fermanagh | Irvinestown | Comedian |
| Derek Burke | Kerry | Castleisland Desmonds | Singer with Crystal Swing |
| Gavin Duffy | Louth | Roche Emmets | TV Personality/Businessman |
| Breffny Morgan | Galway | Kilconly | Apprentice Contestant |
| Franc (Peter Kelly) | Cork | Fermoy | Wedding Designer |
Series 4[edit]
There was a fourth series in 2011. The eight celebrities were Dana,PJ Gallagher,Gillian Quinn,Tommy Fleming,Amanda Brunker,Paul Gogarty,Brenda DonohueandTony Cascarino.[12]Majella O'Donnellmanaged Lissan after Dana left to contest the2011 Irish presidential election.[13]Cascarino ultimately beat Gogarty, with extra-time being needed in the final for the first time inCelebrity Bainisteoir.[14][15]
Series 5[edit]
Contestants[edit]
| Contestant | County | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rozanna Purcell | Longford | Newtown Cashel GAA Club | Model and former Miss Ireland. A native ofClonmelshe will manage Cashel GAA club from Co Longford. |
| Pippa Ormond | Donegal | Naomh Brid GAA Club | Model and wife of fellow contestantBrian Ormond |
| Jessica Lawlor | Cork | Ballinora GAA Club | Wife ofAston Villasoccer player and former Irish internationalStephen Ireland |
| Calum Best | Mayo | Moy Davitts GAA Club,Foxford | Son ofGeorge Best |
| Paddy Doherty | Dublin | Scoil Uí Chonaill GAA ClubClontarf | |
| Brian Ormond | Westmeath | St Mary's GAA Club, Rochfordbridge | TV presenter and singer. Husband of fellow contestant Pippa Ormond |
| Richie Hayes | Waterford | TramoreGAA Club | Singer and finalist onThe Voice of Ireland.Bainisteoir ofTramoreGAA. |
| Mary Byrne | Carlow | St. Patrick's GAA Club,Tullow | Singer who rose to fame onThe X Factor UK.Bainisteoir ofTullowGAA. |
Matches[edit]
Quarter-finals[edit]
- Moy DavittsCalum Best----v---- Paddy Doherty
- St Patrick'sTullow,Mary Byrne (singer)----v---- Richie Hayes
- Brian Ormond ----v---- Pippa Ormond
- Jessica Lawlor ----v---- Roz Purcell
Semi-finals[edit]
- Calum Best V Mary Byrne
- Roz Purcell V Pippa Ormond
Final[edit]
- Roz Purcell V Calum Best
- Venue:Parnell Park,Dublin
- Date: Friday 26 October 2012
- Winner:Calum Best
References[edit]
- ^Carey, Daniel (26 February 2008)."Managing just fine".The Mayo News.Retrieved3 September2008.
- ^"Writer created celebrity TV series - judge".The Irish Times.17 May 2011.Retrieved17 May2011.
- ^abcd"Celebrities eye GAA glory in new TV show".Irish Examiner.5 February 2008.Retrieved17 June2011.
- ^abcde"Celebrity Bainisteoir".RTÉ One.Retrieved17 June2011.
- ^abc[1]The Irish Times(Saturday, 5 April 2008) Back to a familiar future
- ^"Celebrity Bainisteoir | Review".Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2008.Retrieved17 August2008.Celebrity Bainisteoir reviewed by Conor O'Neill (31 March 2008)
- ^"Failte/Welcome".Archived fromthe originalon 29 September 2009.Retrieved17 August2008.Rattle the boards
- ^[2]Archived21 July 2011 at theWayback MachineMaryland G (winners of Celebrity Bainisteoir) are heading for the dogs! - 16 July 2008
- ^[3]Mayfield GAA V Kiltimagh GAA Match Review
- ^[4]Iarnród Éireann General News
- ^abc[5][permanent dead link]Maryland win Celebrity Bainisteoir (Athlone.ie Local News 2008)
- ^"RTÉ's Celebrity Bainisteoirs announced"Archived17 August 2011 at theWayback Machine.RTÉ Ten.15 July 2011.
- ^"Lissan GAC".Mid Ulster Mail.27 September 2011.
- ^"Cascarino wins Celebrity Bainisteoir".RTÉ Ten.7 November 2011.
- ^Butler, Laura."Soccer star Tony wins Celeb Bainisteoir title"Archived1 August 2012 atarchive.today.Evening Herald.7 November 2011.