It hasn’t been the best of Olympics for the country’s athletes. It hasn’t been the best of Olympics for the Olympics.
But throughout the events unfolding in Rio, one of the nation’s pundits has managed to propel herself.
In what has been a disappointing competition all round, Joanne Cantwell has been a breath of fresh air on RTÉ, anchoring its Olympic coverage and navigating it through some stormy seas.
In a change to some listings Joanne Cantwell hosts Crimecall now on #RTE2 as the team analyse how @mickconlan11 was just robbed at #Rio2016
— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) August 16, 2016
The sports journalist has fronted the punditry panel impeccably and the culmination is terrific television.
In what has been a particularly tumultuous boxing campaign for Ireland, Cantwell has steered the conversation in the direction everyone at home is crying out for.
It’s the toughest job for a presenter, asking the hard questions, keeping in touch with the viewing audience and not allowing the analysts to take the talk elsewhere.
And the Dubliner hasn’t backed down.
The RTÉ boxing panel on whether John Conlan's claims of not seeing Michael O'Reilly for eight weeks could be true. https://t.co/4F8l6eDgl9
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2016
Cantwell has proven to be well-researched, well-prepared and well-able for guests on the state broadcaster’s Olympics show and any time you want someone called out, any time you want a question asked, she’s there to do it. As a viewer, it’s the most you can hope for.
How the experts choose to answer is down to them. All the host can do is ask the questions and, time and again, she has asked the right ones.
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Joanne Cantwell has been superb on RTE during the Olympics -particularly when pressing guests on topics-really good at getting debates going
— Gareth Penrose (@garethpenrose) August 17, 2016
Joanne Cantwell is absolutely top class.
— Andrew Cunneen (@Cunneen92) August 16, 2016
She’s had to deal with the Michael Conlan incident.
Great job by Joanne Cantwell keeping lid on high emotions after @mickconlan11 robbery Thankless but great anchoring pic.twitter.com/LUhT00FqrC
— Sport for Business (@SportforBusines) August 16, 2016
Think Joanne Cantwell has been superb there. #Rio2016
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) August 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/conormeany/status/765556743539744768
She’s had to deal with the Michael O’Reilly controversy.
Joanne Cantwell has been absolutely flawless on RTE's Olympic coverage. Absolutely nothing fazes her. Top pro.
— Eoin O'Callaghan (@EoinOCallaghan) August 16, 2016
An Irish legend in Katie Taylor went under her watch as well. There were just no easy rides this summer.
https://twitter.com/KevinODono/status/765200191775469569
And it was always the same consistent performances, whatever the circumstance.
https://twitter.com/LukePField/status/765195589680238592
https://twitter.com/aoifemrtn/status/765195149496426496
She even had to deal with Neville Maxwell crying on her.
But she’s gotten the credit she deserves.
Joanne Cantwell is brilliant.
— Ryan Ferry (@RFerry92) August 15, 2016
Complete aside, Joanne Cantwell is the best sports presenter in Ireland bar none
— Stephen with a v (@steveohrourke) August 16, 2016
On the latest episode of the GAA Hour Hurling Show Wooly and the lads reflect on a monumental weekend of action. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
