In defence of Cathal Kelly

[johnmolinaro]

Hey gang,

At the risk of incurring the collective wrath of the board, I thought I would post this message in defence of Cathal Kelly.

I should start out by stating I'm not friends with Cathal. We briefly chat and exchange pleasantries whenever we see each other at Toronto FC games, but that's about it.

I do, however, know Cathal well enough to tell you he is a passionate soccer fan and that he is not a rabid soccer hater, as he has been portrayed by a lot of people on this board.

I know some of you feel he deliberatly writes to provoke a negative reaction from readers, but I can tell you that he honestly believes what he writes and doesn't print stuff just to stir things up.

Do I always agree with what he writes? No. Often times I don't.

But even though I sometimes disagree with Cathal, that doesn't prevent me from recognizing that he is a very good journalist and a talented writer. He has a lovely turn of phrase and has the ability to write with such descriptive prose, and I have developed a healthy respect for him.

This likely won't change anybody's view of him, and that's fine. I just wanted to put in a good word for the guy.

John Molinaro
CBCSports.ca

[menefreghista]

How is he a very good journalist if he prints out right lies? I thought part of being a good journalist involved not making shit up?

Why are you defending this douchebag if he can't even get his facts straight?

[Brooker]

his article misleads people into thinking we're racist.

don't defend that piece of shit.

speaking of which, why dont u post about this dickhead in the other thread already dedicated to him? the last thing that cunt needs is another thread.

[Shakes McQueen]

We hate him for the content of his articles, not the eloquence of the sentences.

He specializes in writing incredibly inflammatory, snarky articles about Toronto FC, and it's fans.

For lack of a better expression: Fuck that guy.

You're cool though, John.

- Scott

[nfitz]

If he's such a good guy, then I'm sure he'll be printing all the corrections to his misleading article on Monday or Tuesday.

It's yellow journalism, and it's absolutely shameful.

And any member of the media that isn't jumping up and down and pointing this out is equally to blame.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Good on you john to defend a fellow journalist.
That being said we still hate him, HA

[johnmolinaro]

If he's such a good guy, then I'm sure he'll be printing all the corrections to his misleading article on Monday or Tuesday.

It's yellow journalism, and it's absolutely shameful.

And any member of the media that isn't jumping up and down and pointing this out is equally to blame.

To be honest, I've never felt comfortable about calling out one of my media colleagues in print because too often it disintegrates into a pissing contest.

Other writers don't have the same reservations as I do and I know of one who recently called out Cathal, but I believe it's a cheap way to produce news copy and it smacks of grandstanding and hubris.

Just my view, though.

[johnmolinaro]

You're cool though, John.

- Scott

LOL! Thanks.

[CretanBull]

Hey John,

I respect your opinion so your thoughts on the matter are important (to me anyways!). Obviously none of us can speak to Cathal's motives but whether he honestly believes what he writes or if he's just trying to stir the pot in the end we're the one left holding the bag. No one is in denial about the serious problems that happened in Columbus and the problems that sometimes happen at BMO (throwing things on the pitc etc).

What we have to take objection to is the invented association between supporter's groups - specifically the RPB - and that bad behaviour. MLSE was quick to aknowledge the roll that we play in self-policing but the media have failed to recognize that. Instead, in Cathal's article, we're linked to violence, destruction of private property and in a sly way racism. Our supporter's group has - at Cathal's insistance - become a "firm". So the problems in Columbus, becomes our fault. The beer being thrown at BMO, becomes our fault too. The general impression that the South end is a mob of unruliness where people are often escorted out of by the police, becomes fault too.

Lost in the "PEOPLE WERE TASERED!" journalism of this past week is the fact that as a supporter's group we're against all of things that we've been connected to. We've become the victims of hatchet job articles that from our perspective are more about sensationalism than about facts. Maybe an article about the tens of thousands of dollars that we've raised for the Terry Fox Foundation, the little league team we sponsor, the food-drives that we participate in etc. don't make for front page reading but it's a more honest view of what we're about.

[JDG]

Thanks for sharing this John.
I strongly doubt there is anything that anyone can say that will make most of us believe that he isn't deliberately trying to provoke us.
Soccer fan or not, he doesn't write for the fans, he writes for the sport's detractors. If he is infact a fan, he should do the sport a favour, and remove himself from the role of covering it.

[BuSaPuNk]

I don't care what kind of guy he is. He could be one of my best friends....but his ability to be a "journalist" and write complete and uter lies about everything and anything if a fucking crock of shit. He is just writing for a crowd of disgruntled TML and Raptors fans that want to jump on the soccer isn't a real sport and we really shouldn't care about it...it's full of hooligans and racism and such. Fuck him. Your a writer for a Toronto newspaper and a so called fan of the game? You should be writing about the game, not making up shit about the supporters and the fans. Period.

P.S. John I love your articles and really enjoy hearing your thoughts on the CBC broadcasts. Great job keep it up.

[Rocco]

To be honest, I've never felt comfortable about calling out one of my media colleagues in print because too often it disintegrates into a pissing contest.

Other writers don't have the same reservations as I do and I know of one who recently called out Cathal, but I believe it's a cheap way to produce news copy and it smacks of grandstanding.

Just my view, though.

in the end everyone needs to earn a coin right? It's all about him getting the job done by the end of the day, disregarding the truth? As a fan, I ask him to come join us one day. If he's such a soccer supporter like u claim to be, then it wouldn't be really that hard for him to tell it the way it is now isnt it? But u and I know the truth doesnt sell now does it? In my opinion, ur fighting a loosing battle. A for effort but no luck this time.

[Damien]

Convert this to German...

The Cathal The

[Daveisonfire]

Convert this to German...

The Cathal The

die Cathal die lol





Which brings me to this point...

I don't find myself respecting Adolf Hitler because he was a great speaker








Haha, okay, hyperbole

[nfitz]

To be honest, I've never felt comfortable about calling out one of my media colleagues in print because too often it disintegrates into a pissing contest.

I can understand the reluctance - like the police, there does seem to be a belief that you should protect your own. I work in a profession where if I don't call someone out on something that they do that is wrong, I become as liable as they are ... so I tend to forget that many don't work in regulated professions.

[CretanBull]

I don't find myself respecting Adolf Hitler because he was a great speaker

You don't respect Hitler? You're out of our firm!

[Oblio2]

Cathal Kelly and Gareth Wheeler can go felch themselves silly....both are shit journalists with no integrity.

[Toronto Ruffrider]

Instead, in Cathal's article, we're linked to violence, destruction of private property and in a sly way racism.

There's a fine line between attack-minded reporting and outright slander. Perhaps a lawsuit would remind Cathal or the Star a thing or two about journalism.

[andyc]

So I'm confused....

John - You are highly respected in this community and you chose to stick out your neck to support someone that most football fans think is a complete asshole. I assume that you're not doing this for fun or to cause shit so do you think that anything can be changed with your post??

Right now most people on this forum think that Kelly is a completely ignorant opinionated self centered anti soccer trouble maker. None of his articles to date have ever provided any evidence to the contrary.

So my question is... Are you completely smashed in posting this or do you think that this apparent asshole can be converted? If he truly is a football fan then what is he missing or what does he want to change?

I'm sure that he's been invited to join the party before now, but if not do you think it would help?? Anyone who can get front page coverage in a major TO paper that is a "football fan" is worth investing time to educate or convert.

Unless as lots of people suspect... He's a self serving ignorant prick out to cause shit in order to get attention...

[nfitz]

There's a fine line between attack-minded reporting and outright slander. Perhaps a lawsuit would remind Cathal or the Star a thing or two about journalism.

Just file a complaint with the Ontario Press Council. They only get a 100 or so complaints a year ...

[rocker]

Other writers don't have the same reservations as I do and I know of one who recently called out Cathal, but I believe it's a cheap way to produce news copy and it smacks of grandstanding and hubris.

are you referring to Brunt's article in the Globe?

[johnmolinaro]

are you referring to Brunt's article in the Globe?

it's not important who it was, and it doesn't really matter.

The purpose of my original post was just to let you know that from talking to Cathal personally and getting to know him, I can attest to the fact that he is a genuine soccer fan and, whether right or wrong, he honestly believes what he writes and doesn't print stuff just to cause an uproar.

Again, that's not to suggest I agree with him all of the time, or even on this matter about the perceived fan problem.

I just wanted to bring some balance to the discussion and stick up for him a bit - probably because of my "if-you-can't-say-anything-nice-don't-say it" upbringing.

John

[s2cazz]

I just wanted to bring some balance to the discussion and stick up for him a bit - probably because of my "if-you-can't-say-anything-nice-don't-say it" upbringing.

John

To bad he wasn't brought up the same

[FluSH]

John,

I hope you read the Edmonton Sun piece:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2...59101-sun.html

What Cathal Kelly has done is nothing short of trash journalism, it is the equivalent of selling a product via sex exploitation. If he could get away with it, I am sure he would have plastered a set of Double D's just to sell his story.

Are we writting depth here? Or Trash? Shame on Cathal Kelly... this is seriously a new low.

[flatpicker]

^ yes indeed FluSH!

Please! Can someone stop this wave of garbage journalism that is hitting the papers???!!!

[FluSH]

Also,

This begs the question...

Who is sticking up for us? Are you John? if not who?

You have posted here on numerous occasions, we support your articles by using the hot links and we recommend them when ever we can...

who will stick up for us?

[twistedchinaman]

John,

I hope you read the Edmonton Sun piece:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2...59101-sun.html

What Cathal Kelly has done is nothing short of trash journalism, it is the equivalent of selling a product via sex exploitation. If he could get away with it, I am sure he would have plastered a set of Double D's just to sell his story.

Are we writting depth here? Or Trash? Shame on Cathal Kelly... this is seriously a new low.

I can't believe I am applauding the Edmonton Sun...but damn, well done, man. Straight from Alberta no less.

[Shakes McQueen]

I can't believe I am applauding the Edmonton Sun...but damn, well done, man. Straight from Alberta no less.

Actually, it looks like the article was written by our very own jloome.

- Scott

[FluSH]

Well thanks for coming out John...

I truly appreciate it.

[johnmolinaro]

John,

I hope you read the Edmonton Sun piece:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2...59101-sun.html

What Cathal Kelly has done is nothing short of trash journalism, it is the equivalent of selling a product via sex exploitation. If he could get away with it, I am sure he would have plastered a set of Double D's just to sell his story.

Are we writting depth here? Or Trash? Shame on Cathal Kelly... this is seriously a new low.

Yes, I read the Sun piece when it first came out. And I think the Sun writer handled it perfectly - talking about the media's reaction in general and how it dropped the ball with regards to this story

This was the way to do it. not, as I said before, calling one person out specifically and taking them to task because for me, that smacks of posturing and trying to build oneself up by tearing others down.

again, just my opinion. others will disagree, which is fine.