In perhaps the most blatant act of trolling from any commentator in Premier League history, Sky Sports' Allan Parry tonight made the type of comment that makes you think; "Did he just say that?"
Football commentators know their stuff, they do incredible amounts of research on every player who might possibly play in a match they are covering, so surely the idea that Parry didn't know what he was saying is out the window as he said something that James McClean will not be impressed with:
McClean, the Northern Irishman from Londonderry just cannot get involved in the game.
Really?
Whatever about him not getting a look in against City, there is no way that somebody employed in the media side of football doesn't know that McClean identifies with the Republic of Ireland, and to say he comes from Londonderry when he has a big 'FREE DERRY' tattoo on his leg? Come on.
UPDATE: Thanks to Ryan Stewart on twitter we now have a video with the comment clearly audible:
The NI Man from Londonderry?? More fuel on the fire? James McClean Rep Ireland player from Derry @SkySportsNewsHQ pic.twitter.com/iiRQ7Hwp79
— Ryan Stewart (@ryanmtstewart) August 10, 2015
Twitter didn't miss the comment, that's for sure, and there were a number of reactions within seconds:
Stirring it unnecessarily @SkySports commentator just called James McClean "the Northern Irishman form Londonderry" #westbromvcity
— Barry O'Sullivan (@siliconbarry) August 10, 2015
Highlight of the Premier League season so far has to be Alan Parry trolling James McClean during the first half there #wbafc
— Alan Smith (@alansmith90) August 10, 2015
Alan Parry refers to James McClean as the 'Northern Irishman from Londonderry' - he'll love that
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) August 10, 2015
"McClean the northern Irishman from Londonderry" @SkySports Is he mates with 'Australian' golfer Shane Lowry? #mancityvwba
— Stephen Jones (@1stejones) August 10, 2015
@SkySportsMNF remind your commentators of James McClean's nationality ? #Irish #EríngoBragh
— Chris Seagriff (@SchmidtSting) August 10, 2015
Great shithousing from Alan Parry calling McClean 'the Northern Irishman from Londonderry'
— David Murray (@weareshels) August 10, 2015
just a tad unprofessional from @SkyFootball re james mcclean
— Ethan McKinney (@Ethan_NTWRK) August 10, 2015
It's one thing to expect it from one of those LADS FOOTY BANTER facebook pages, but a live broadcast from Sky Sports? It certainly is surprising and it will be interesting to see if anything is said about it after the match, from either Sky or of course from McClean himself.
