Back in 1990, RTE approached the prospect of doing comedy with all the confidence of a sixteen-year-old computer nerd character in an American teen flick approaching the most popular girl in school. However, it transpires that Apres Match was not the first time they dipped their toe into comedy with their soccer coverage.
So here, in all its dubious glory, is RTE's forerunner of Apres Match. At the time it represented unquestionably RTE's finest comedy output - 'Leave It to Mrs. O'Brien' having been scandalously axed four years earlier. This sketch, starring beloved Cork comedy duo 'Cha and Miah', was broadcast before Ireland played Holland in the critical final group game in Palermo. It consists of two drunk Cork lads sitting in front of a small little portable telly, singing Danny Boy (or rather 'Jackie Boy') and mispronouncing Dutch players names (Marco Van Basten becomes Marco Van Bastard).
It also contains that brilliant old 'd'you want a drink' joke. You know the one. You do. Where one lad asks the other does he want a drink and the other lad says "sure why not?" and the other lad then seriously pulls the rug from underneath him and says something like "Get me one while you're up there." Brilliant stuff. You may laugh (or not) but that was considered cutting edge back in 1990.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYeskQnaVQY&feature=youtu.be
Elswehere, but staying with the blessed year of 1990, Zig and Zag did this distinctly ropey impression of Eamon Dunphy and Johnny Giles. Or as they dubbed them for the purposes of comedy 'Amoan Grumpy' and 'Johnny Styles.' I'd say Dunphy and Giles had egg on their face after this one, their pomposity pierced by these cruel barbs. Ray D'arcy stepped in to perform the role of Bill O'Herlihy, or 'Billow Hurling' as he was called here, again for comedy purposes.
Fortunately for the two ambitious puppets, Channel 4 didn't see this footage and invited them over to present the Big Breakfast alongside Chris Evans for a few years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SflSO53fKT0
As in so much else, we are indebted to the wonderful killianm2
