Tommy Smyth
Encyclopedia
Thomas Michael "Tommy" Smyth (born 1946 in Knockbridge
, County Louth
, Ireland
) is one of the most recognized soccer commentators in the United States. He is a color commentator
for ESPN
, which he joined in February 1993 as a football analyst. He provides co-commentary or in-studio analysis for major soccer events. He also commentates on Gaelic games
, horse racing
, and harness racing
for ESPN.
in 1963 following a brief football career with a local Irish team. In America, he played with the Shamrock Club in the German American Soccer League
as well as for the Boston Beacons
of the North American Soccer League
.
Irish
and Irish-American communities for having commentated at Gaelic Park
in the Bronx, NY. He commentated for Irish football
and hurling
matches for the local leagues from U-12 up to senior level. Inasmuch, it is a pleasing thing for any of these youths and their families to see Tommy work on the global level. He, at least once, made a comical remark in regards to the poor level of play in a UEFA
Champions League
game, saying "I've seen better games played at Gaelic Park in Riverdale" which is home to unprofessional football and the Gaelic games
.
Smyth was the voice of the MetroStars
of Major League Soccer
from the team's inception in 1996 to the early 2000s, when his ESPN contract prohibited him from working for the MSG Network
.
He currently commentates regularly for ESPN International
covering matches weekly for La Liga
, Serie A
, International matches and the FA Cup
and is one of the regular panelist on ESPNSoccernet PressPass
which is hosted by Derek Rae
. He also commentates matches from the UEFA Champions League
coverage on ESPN networks outside the United States. In 2007 he joined ESPN's MLS broadcast team and has also done a few World Cups for ESPN, including 2006
, where he partnered with Adrian Healey
. He commentates on the UEFA
Highlight show on Thursdays and Fridays. Mr. Smyth will occasionally be a phone-in guest pundit mostly during the UEFA Champions League
campaigns on the CSRN radio programme, The 2 G's, sharing his opinion regarding the upcoming matches.
During ESPN's coverage of Euro 2008, Smyth shared commentary duties with Andy Gray, the two of them generally alternating matches. Smyth was an ESPN analyst for the 2010 World Cup, and has become an outspoken proponent of instant replay
.
. He has been the co-host for WNBC coverage of the New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade since 1998.
. Smyth is known for signing off when commentating as "Tommy Smyth... with a Y" (perhaps to differentiate himself from Tommy Smith
) and for his description of a ball flying into the net when a goal is scored as "a bulge in the old onion bag". He also is known for saying "a peach of a goal."
Knockbridge
Knockbridge is a small village within the townland of Ballinlough in County Louth, Ireland.-Facilities:The village is centred on a crossroads, where there is a pub and a shop...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
) is one of the most recognized soccer commentators in the United States. He is a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, which he joined in February 1993 as a football analyst. He provides co-commentary or in-studio analysis for major soccer events. He also commentates on Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
, horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, and harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
for ESPN.
Playing career
Smyth moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1963 following a brief football career with a local Irish team. In America, he played with the Shamrock Club in the German American Soccer League
German American Soccer League
The German American Soccer League is the previous name of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, a semi-professional and amateur soccer league which was founded in 1923. The league competes primarily in the New York metropolitan area and northern New Jersey.-History:In 1923, five teams, S.C. New York,...
as well as for the Boston Beacons
Boston Beacons
The Boston Beacons were a United States soccer team from Boston. In 1968 they were founding members of the North American Soccer League but folded after just one season. The Beacons were actually a relaunch of the United Soccer Association team Boston Rovers. They played their home games at Fenway...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
.
Commentary career
Tommy was much loved by the New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and Irish-American communities for having commentated at Gaelic Park
Gaelic Park
The Gaelic Park Sports Centre , often abbreviated Gaelic Park, is a multi-purpose outdoor athletics facility in Kingsbridge in the Bronx, New York...
in the Bronx, NY. He commentated for Irish football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
and hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
matches for the local leagues from U-12 up to senior level. Inasmuch, it is a pleasing thing for any of these youths and their families to see Tommy work on the global level. He, at least once, made a comical remark in regards to the poor level of play in a UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
game, saying "I've seen better games played at Gaelic Park in Riverdale" which is home to unprofessional football and the Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
.
Smyth was the voice of the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
from the team's inception in 1996 to the early 2000s, when his ESPN contract prohibited him from working for the MSG Network
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
.
He currently commentates regularly for ESPN International
ESPN International
ESPN International is a family of networks around the world. It was begun in 1989 and is operated by ESPN. It consists of:Asia: *ESPN SEA*ESPN SEA 2*ESPN China*ESPN Hong Kong*ESPN India*ESPN Malaysia...
covering matches weekly for La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, International matches and the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
and is one of the regular panelist on ESPNSoccernet PressPass
PressPass
ESPNsoccernet PressPass is a 30 minute show which airs Monday to Friday and is a soccer discussion show between presenters Adrian Healey, Dan Thomas, Andrew Orsatti and analysts including Robbie Mustoe, Gabriele Marcotti, Tommy Smyth, Janusz Michallik, Shaka Hislop, Robbie Earle, Steve Nicol,...
which is hosted by Derek Rae
Derek Rae
Derek Rae is a Scottish football announcer for ESPN, working as a sports commentator for its coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Scottish Premier League. He is also the host of ESPNsoccernet's PressPass.- Career :...
. He also commentates matches from the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
coverage on ESPN networks outside the United States. In 2007 he joined ESPN's MLS broadcast team and has also done a few World Cups for ESPN, including 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, where he partnered with Adrian Healey
Adrian Healey
Adrian Healey is an English football commentator, currently working with ESPN with their broadcasts of the MLS, Barclays Premier League, Primera Liga and Serie A. He was part of the ESPN commentary team in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup...
. He commentates on the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Highlight show on Thursdays and Fridays. Mr. Smyth will occasionally be a phone-in guest pundit mostly during the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
campaigns on the CSRN radio programme, The 2 G's, sharing his opinion regarding the upcoming matches.
During ESPN's coverage of Euro 2008, Smyth shared commentary duties with Andy Gray, the two of them generally alternating matches. Smyth was an ESPN analyst for the 2010 World Cup, and has become an outspoken proponent of instant replay
Instant replay
Instant replay is the replaying of video footage of an event or incident very soon after it has occurred. In television broadcasting of sports events, instant replay is often used during live broadcast, to show a passage of play which was important or remarkable, or which was unclear on first...
.
St Patrick's Day Parade
Smyth was the 2008 Grand Marshal of the 247th St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He has been the co-host for WNBC coverage of the New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade since 1998.
Style
Smyth's trademark is analysis adding color commentary to Derek RaeDerek Rae
Derek Rae is a Scottish football announcer for ESPN, working as a sports commentator for its coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Scottish Premier League. He is also the host of ESPNsoccernet's PressPass.- Career :...
. Smyth is known for signing off when commentating as "Tommy Smyth... with a Y" (perhaps to differentiate himself from Tommy Smith
Tommy Smith (footballer born 1945)
Thomas "Tommy" Smith MBE was a long-serving footballer with Liverpool, known for his uncompromising defensive style. Manager Bill Shankly once said of him: "Tommy Smith wasn't born, he was quarried."-Life and playing career:...
) and for his description of a ball flying into the net when a goal is scored as "a bulge in the old onion bag". He also is known for saying "a peach of a goal."