Mostly Hurling:Any of us who frequent hurling matches in the many fine venues around the country know what it's like to suffer the noise that is supposed to pass for music before and at half-time at these games, writes John Allen
I imagine it's probably the old 78s that are providing this "entertainment". You'll hear lots of good quality music played by musicians who were probably all the rage in their day. The big problem is they're not all the rage now. In many of my friends they induce rage.
The GAA is moving with the times in many ways. They are embracing change. But musically, they are in a bit of a time warp - Croke Park excepted. It's time that somebody grabbed them by the crotchets and pulled them into the 21st century.
I would suggest that the playlist for entertainment be radically overhauled. It would be nice if each ground had a wide variety of music available to whichever DJ (no, not Carey) is on duty. There's no excuse with broadband and downloading and MP3 players so accessible. There are so many combinations available I really don't know where to start. But anyway, here are the suggestions of the Cork jury.
We could go for a fairly outlandish list first. This might add an extra element of attractiveness to a league game that might be expected to be one-sided.
Just to show how multi-cultural we've become we might include the Malian group Tinariwen with a few tracks from their new disc Aman Iman. Then maybe Ali Farka Touré and Ry Cooder with some music from the bestselling CD Talking Timbuktu. How often did I hear my mother say, when I was young and came back from the shop a half an hour late: "Did you go to Timbuktu for it?"
We have to include Manu Chao with some up-tempo rhythms and, of course, Rodrigo y Gabriela from Mexico. R and G qualify under the residence rule as they now live in our own capital city. The others are included out of an ethnic awareness and respect for our new-found neighbours. This sideshow might also attract a new audience to our games.
On a different occasion, with the sun shining, the list would be altered accordingly. We'd start off with Chan Chan performed by the Buena Vista Social Club quickly followed by Declan O'Rourke's song Galileo from his best-selling album Since Kyabram.
We would then up the pace a little so Mark Knopfler would introduce the Sultans of Swing. The Dixie Chicks next with Long Time Gone. As the teams enter the arena The Doors would usher them in with one of their hits Break on Through.
At the break if there isn't a band present we would be suggesting Hotel California from the Eagles with Luciano Pavarotti adding a bit of culture with Panis Angelicus. Lynyrd Skynyrd next with Sweet Home Alabama. Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy's Boys are back in Town would usher the teams back.
There could also be a supply of tracks, loosely related to hurling, available in the mini stadium studio. We would have to include the runner's or the manager's song recorded by the Bee Gees many moons ago, I've Got to Get a Message to You.
To entertain the full forward who has to face Diarmuid O'Sullivan we'd play another Bee Gees track Stayin' Alive. For the captains going for the toss we'd suggest Bob Seeger's Against the Wind. For those same captains on the first Sunday in September we'd play Bruce Springsteen's Eyes on the Prize from the album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. As background music for the winning team we'd crank up Don Baker's Winner in You.
When the first hurler fails the drug test (for doubling up on the St John's Wort) Eminem's Under the Influence will be in the background. In honour of the man in the middle we'll suggest Johnny Cash's version of Solitary Man. And as advertising for the championship starting again, Willie Nelson will be heard with his hit On the Road Again.
Of course if it's Irish artists only then we'll be suggesting reels from Noel Hill and Tony McMahon Live in Knocknagree, with a bonus track from uilleann piper MacDara MacDonncha of Nemeton fame. Mundy's Mexico, which he does really well as gaeilge on the CD Réalta '06, as well as U2's Beautiful Day and John Spillane's Johnny Don't go to Ballincollig would also make it on to the shortlist.
Mick Flannery would have to be there with any track from his brilliant album Evening Train. Roesy's Trailing the True Star would have to get a start. We'd have to give Sharon Shannon's Blackbird a twirl as well.
Well if the really keen music head is reading this I've no doubt he or she is saying I thought we were going to modernise the music. Much of the aforementioned music is oldish. Well, for the really up-to-date we're suggesting Mika, 2Pac, the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and Snow Patrol.
I've omitted some of my all-time favourites like Billy Joel, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Paul Brady,Van Morrison, Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill, Frankie Gavin, Cooney and Begley, Mairtín O'Connor, Christy Moore and Eric Clapton among many others - they might get into the first team in time for the new 2008 All-Ireland format.
On a serious note, I can't let the occasion pass without congratulating Waterford on a famous victory last Sunday. I'm sure Kilkenny don't begrudge them. This team deserved a national honour.
