The best fake football pundits in the business, Aprés Match will bring Euro2016 right to our doorstep this weekend. Risteárd Cooper talks to Limerick Post about the show and the pundit that thinks the trio are surplus to requirements …
THE trio of Barry Murphy, Risteárd Cooper and Gary Cooke are as much a part of Irish football folklore as Chippy Brady and Giles and Dunphy. Since 1998 the Apres Match trio have seen their viewing figures soar on RTE 2 for their merciless skewering of both BBC and RTE panellists and the hyperbole and the cast of chancers that makes up any World Cup or European Championships. They are an intrinsic part of the overall experience.
RTÉ 2 will have exclusive live coverage of 20 group games, including all three of the Republic of Ireland’s group games against Sweden on Monday June 13, Belgium on Saturday 18 and Italy on Wednesday 22 and shared live coverage of the final itself. It all begins with France v Romania this Friday June 10.
Après Match will be along to give their inimitable take on events throughout RTE’s coverage of the tournament and will be presenting a highlights programme. On top of all that the comedy crew will also take their unique take on the championships outside the studio. If you have seen Apres Match take over TV coverage of the third place play-of for previous competitions, you will have an idea of what the boys have in store.
‘Apres Match presents The Match Of The Day’ is described as “a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Ireland’s premier pundit piss-takers provide full match analysis of some key matches at Euro 2016.”
This Saturday June 11 Apres Match will present England vs Russia at Dolan’s Warehouse, the second day of the tournament. The trio will provide pre and post-match discussion as well as some half-time entertainment with the usual mix of spooferism, chancerism and peacockery. Perhaps you will see Peter Collins try to control the lads as Giles takes each game on its merits and Chippy struggles with the smell of stale Bollinger off Dunphy.
“We do the voices of whoever appears on screen. As it’s an England game will probably do the ITV panel at half time. Essentially we improvise around what they might be saying on the telly,” explains Risteárd Cooper to Limerick Post.
So expect to hear Apres Match take on what Mark Pougatch, Lee Dixon, Ian Wright and Glenn Hoddle have to say about the match. Or they might flick over to TV3 and guess what perhaps what wisdom is emanating from Joey Barton, Graeme Souness, Neil Lennon, Harry Redknapp, Emma Byrne or the “omnipresent and new Mark Lawrenson”, Kevin Kilbane.
There will be sketches pre planned and a bit of flying by the seat of your pants as the trio improv while the TV panel gets to grips with the game.
“It lends itself to a bit of craic. There are plenty of laughs in whatever ridiculous conversations we might be imposing on the panel.”
So how do the stars of the RTE coverage react to the Apres Match crew. Do they complain. Do they enjoy the after show?
“Most of the time we don’t bump into each other. Certainly when Bill O’Herlihy was around, if he was passing he would say ‘That was fantastic! I think that is your best ever!’
“John Giles does not have any time for it. He thinks we are surplus to requirements.
“Eamon and Liam react quite positively to it. And Didi Hamann and Ronnie Whelan are actually always very pleased. We go out with them for a few pints.”
So how does Risteárd rate Ireland’s chances?
“There is something in the air in Ireland even though we have an incredibly tough draw. We have to get a result against Sweden.”
Apres Match presents England v Russia at Dolan’s Warehouse this Saturday June 11 from 7pm.
