There is a growing currency among tv analysts — themselves ex-players or ex-managers — that the only person who can manage a team successfully must have bucketloads of experience and pockets full of medals.

Ryan sorts out the myths

There is a growing currency among tv analysts — themselves ex-players or ex-managers — that the only person who can manage a team successfully must have bucketloads of experience and pockets full of medals.

GAA analysts have followed the mantra of soccer bosses across the water, spending the time between jobs 'doing a bit of media work' before picking up the next number.

Most of the current GAA managers have sidelined in the media at some point and most went into inter-county management after notable success on the field and a few years doing the club circuit. Into this environment stepped Jason Ryan, a 31-year old breath of fresh air who has guided Wexford footballers to reach their first Leinster final in 52 years.

Wexford have been knocking on the football door for the past few years but having fallen at the final hurdle time and again, it looked like they would fade away once more and again become noted as a hurling county only.

Ryan has provided that spark that re-ignited them this year and of all the many attributes he and his side have shown, the most notable is that they always look like their enjoying themselves. It is that trait that is most notably absent in most other counties where investment laden with expectation has often taken the sport out of it all.

JOHN 3:7 has a rival

There has hardly been a GAA match of note, certainly a televised one, in the past 20 years where a quick scanning behind either goal would spot the bright yellow JOHN 3:7 banner, the biblical message which Frank Hogan from Limerick takes to games.

But Frank, a native of Borrisokane in Tipperary, now has a rival and it too is spreading its message with a yellow banner behind the goals!

It is not biblical but I am sure the promoters of i102-104, the new regional radio station based here in Galway, are no less passionate about their cause.