Amid a never-ending scandal at RTÉ, tonight on the Six One sports bulletin, the people of Ireland were given a very timely reminder of the value the national broadcaster brings to our lives.
It came during a usually-banal news hit on Declan Rice joining Arsenal.
Joe Stack read all the facts.
"Declan Rice will undergo a medial at Arsenal after agreeing a fee with West Ham. The signing of the Hammers captain for a reported £100 pounds sterling plus five million pounds in add-ons won't only break Arsenal's transfer record..."
Strangely, the news was cast against highlights of Rice's brief but magnificent Ireland career: bossing the midfield in his famous senior international debut (for Ireland) against Turkey in Antalya, jogging with his (Ireland) teammates, doing a one-on-one interview in a green polo top with his #21 Ireland jersey in the background, in which he's likely talking about his pride to wear the green jersey.
And if you're watching at home and paying any attention at all - which you'd be entitled not to do during a Declan Rice news hit - you might be thinking the following: 'were the RTÉ Sport team simply too lazy to dig up 2022-23 highlights of Rice in a West Ham kit? Are they rehashing some stock Declan Rice footage?'
But that's when Stack, in his perfectly deadpan north Kerry delivery, plunges the dagger.
"...but it will see Rice become the most expensive [slight pause] Englishman in Premier League history."
RTÉ Declan Rice segment
"... the most expensive Englishman in Premier League history"😂
Masterful work by the Six One sport team tonight on Declan Rice joining Arsenal.pic.twitter.com/jnaoPPfNnx— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 5, 2023
We then see Rice collecting his Man of the Match award that night in Turkey flanked by Ireland captain Seamus Coleman.
Perfect.
Stack was wonderful in reading the segment. There's an editor and a producer who won't get credited for their brilliant work here.
As we enter into the third week of the scandal that has embroiled RTÉ, and with the promise of further revelations and the possibility of damning revelations to rival thousands of euro spent on flip-flops and balloons, some have naturally asked why we need RTÉ.
This is why we do.
