Tv3 have broadcast rights to a major tournament for the first time, and thus far, their coverage has proved to be a very fine alternative to RTE. Keith Andrews extremely enthusiastic brand of co-commentary beguiled the English game last night, and they used today's game broadcast of Croatia/Turkey for a fresh-faced punditry duo of Paul McShane and Emma Byrne.
Byrne may be the most trophy-laden pundit in Irish TV history, winning 11 league titles with Arsenal along with the Champions League in 2007. The reaction to her appearance was universally positive, and she was particularly good at half-time on Luka Modric's opener, which owed quite a bit to some dodgy goalkeeping.
Massive respect to @TV3 for having two current players as pundits with Emma Byrne and Paul McShane doing a great job. Nice one! 🍀⚽️
— Barry McCarthy (@Barrymccarthy) June 12, 2016
Don't know about anyone else but really impressed by @emmsb30 and especially @pmacca15 as an anylists on TV3 for the Crotaia Turkey game ⚽
— David Browne (@DavidBrowne4) June 12, 2016
Emma Byrne pretty impressive. Well played @TV3Ireland
— Vera ⭐⭐ (@ChelsSince1970) June 12, 2016
Great to see Emma Byrne in the @TV3Ireland panel for the #EURO2016 game #TURvCRO
— Conor Fuller (@ConorFuller) June 12, 2016
Emma Byrne proving an articulate analyst on @TV3SportIreland #EURO2016 coverage. Paul McShane equally insightful.
— Ger McCarthy (@germccarthy74) June 12, 2016
Great to see Emma Byrne on Tv3 coverage.
— Cormac O'Malley (@cormacpro) June 12, 2016
Elsewhere, Martin Tyler and Alan Smith randomly appeared on comms for TV3. Sky don't have the broadcast rights, so Tyler goes freelance for major tournament Irish viewers were somewhat surprised:
Martin Tyler doing commentary on TV3. Bonus territory! #TURCRO #TUR #CRO @UEFAEURO
— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) June 12, 2016
Martin Tyler and Alan Smith on TV3, I've seen it all now
— Paddy Curran (@PaddyCurran4) June 12, 2016
