Arseblog Arsecast, The Arsenal Podcast Episode 849 - Conor McNamara
Oct 16, 2025
Conor McNamara, an experienced BBC and Premier League commentator, shares his journey from radio in Ireland to international fame. He dives into the thrill of commentating on high-profile matches, including his memorable FA Cup Final debut. Conor discusses the evolving landscape of media, especially the influence of VAR on commentary. He offers insights into his matchday prep, the dynamic with co-commentators, and how remote setups have transformed the game. Aspiring commentators will appreciate his advice on honing skills and being reliable to seize opportunities.
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Episode notes
Breaking In With A Wembley Miracle
- Conor got his first big break commentating the FA Cup Final for a small Irish station at age 18.
- A 47-second goal forced him to stop reading scripted notes and saved the broadcast from his inexperience.
Learning By Touring With Teams
- While at TV3 Conor travelled with the Republic of Ireland team to away qualifiers and Champions League matches.
- Those early foreign trips provided intense, hands-on education you can't get in a classroom.
Off-Tube Commentary Narrows Perspective
- Off-tube/remote commentary narrows what commentators can perceive and forces safer, slower calls.
- COVID accelerated remote commentary adoption and many broadcasters kept it for cost reasons despite quality loss.