There are some odd selections by RTE Sport in their 92 sporting highlights of 2018. But three stage wins by Sam Bennett and Dan Martin's Tour stage victory are not good enough for the national broadcaster.
No Irish cyclists in RTE Sport’s 92 highlights of 2018
Irish cyclists are absent from RTE’s sporting highlights of the year. The national broadcaster has put together an eclectic mix of 92 highlights, absent any Irish cyclists.
There is no room for Sam Bennett’s three Giro d’Italia stage wins; the first of which was his first Grand Tour victory and Ireland’s first on the race since 1987.
However, when one scrolls down the list, it’s top heavy with soccer and Gaelic Games. Indeed, it’s highly unlikely that those who composed it know what a Grand Tour is.
They do know what the Tour de France is, and indeed it features on the list. But Dan Martin is not the reason why.
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His fantastic stage win atop Mur de Bretagne on stage 6 and his trip to the Paris podium for the most aggressive rider in the race are both overlooked.
Instead, the Tour features in the sporting highlights because of the farmers’ protest that disrupted stage 16.
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There is also no mention of Lara Gillespie winning European Track Championships gold and silver.
However, because her achievements came in the junior champs, that is perhaps no surprise. Other junior achievements, including other European titles, also don’t feature.
Furthermore, Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal winning the world road race and TT crowns are also not mentioned.
Indeed, not para-athletes, from any sports, are featured in the sporting highlights as selected by RTE.
The absence of the cyclists’ achievements are even harder to understand when one considers some of the sporting “highlights” that make the list.
Michael Lyster announcing his plan to retire at the end of the year is a highlight. And Joanne Cantwell filling his shoes on the Sunday Game is another highlight.
A member of grounds staff clearing ice and snow from the pitch at Oriel Park ahead of a Dundalk Vs Limerick match also, bizarrely, is listed as a sporting highlight.
Snooker player Mark Williams stripping off, as part of a bet, after he won the world title is also a highlight.
The Carlow footballers beating Kildare in the championship, in a match with no trophy or title on the line, is another high point of the sporting year according to RTE.
A point by Clare’s Peter Duggan in the All Ireland hurling semi final draw with Galway is another highlight.
While an excellent score; it is ranked by RTE among the great sporting moments of the year ahead of a Tour de France stage win and three Giro d’Italia victories.
And a save by the Limerick goal keeper in the other hurling semi final also gets the nod. Gaelic Games rule changes and managerial appointments also feature.
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