Today FM Vs 2FM

The stations battle it out to see which one is the best radio around!

National music-based radio is so similar: same schedule, same type presenters, even the names of the stations are similar. Now both these stations have a large youth listenership and rely rather heavily on the "up to 25" section of our fair society, but which one, amongst all the similarities, is the best?

This guide should prove which station: 2FM or Today FM, is the triumphant winner of this epic battle of the radio stations and which station should pack up right now and move to the middle of the Atlantic...
 
Round 1: The Breakfast Bunch: O'Shea/Scott vs. Dempsey.  Only a month or 2 into their new job, it could be a bit soon to judge how Rick and Ruth fare on one of the most important slots on radio, but so far they're not doing too badly, although they are still a long way off emulating the now departed Ryan Tubridy's Full Irish. A young audience is guaranteed however, given their now legendary exploits on nightime 2FM. Dempsey on the other hand is the seasoned pro who never misses a trick, and with the fantastic Gift Grub on his side, Dempsey just beats the young guns in this first crucial battle. This is gonna be fun, isn't it?
Result: O'Shea/Scott 7, Dempsey 8
 
Round 2: Mid Morning: Ryan vs. D'Arcy. Gerry Ryan may have the best ratings in Ireland, but listening to his show is comparable to listening to paint dry. Unfortunately, D'Arcy is only marginally better. At one time the best show on radio, he's become moody, increasingly reliant on innuendo-laden humour and just downright complacent. It's a disappointing descent for a man who presented The Den and Blackboard Jungle for so many years.
Result: Ryan 6, D'Arcy 7
 
Round 3: Lunchtime: Farrelly vs. Fenton.  Everybody was pretty suprised to hear 2FM legend Tony Fenton on "the other side", but he's aquitted himself well and is still a great D.J. Farrelly is good, but Fenton did come up with "YOU'RE THE WINNER!!!"
Result: Farrelly 7, Fenton 8
 
Round 4: Afternoon: Gogan vs. Cawley. This one is a bit of a no contest. Larry "They didn't suit ya" Gogan is the KING of Radio, and although Phil Cawley is a bit like your well-meaning goofball uncle who always tells you the same dodgy jokes, Larry whoops his ass every time.
Result: Gogan 9, Cawley 7
 
Round 5: The Music Afficionadoes: Fanning vs. Dunne.  Fanning has been round forever, yet to his credit is as popular and cool as ever, mainly because he keeps so up-to-date. He also discovered U2 and pioneered countless other bands. Definitely a music legend. Former 'Something Happens' lead singer Tom Dunne presents the equally popular Pet Sounds but Fanning's definitely the more youth friendly and all-round better presenter.
Result: Fanning 8, Dunne 7
 
Round 6: Nightime music: Hayes vs. Foley.  Nikki Hayes received the nightime slot after Rick O'Shea left for pastures new, and while she's good and bubbly and sounds like she'd be craic on a night out, she's not quite as good as O'Shea just yet. Today FM's Ray Foley is the new boy to the station and he tries hard, he's also pretty funny and could well be a star of the future. 
Result: Hayes 7, Foley 8
 
Round 7: The Canadian girls who like indie: Huston vs. Curtis. There are a lot of similarities aren't there? Huston's Waiting Room is gaining popularity on a regular basis, and her Friday night programme The Annex is simply the best show on radio, not to mention she has one of the nicest voices I've ever heard. Alison Curtis on The Last Splash plays similar music but doesn't really have Huston's charm or sexy voice.
Result: Huston 8, Curtis 6
 
Round 8: The blokes who are on late at night and play some weird-cool stuff: Hegarty vs. Dineen.  No question about this one, Dineen's Somewhere to go Before you Sleep has a cultish popularity amongst the younger generation. Hegarty's good, but doesn't have the following of the Kerryman.
Result: Hegarty 7, Dineen 8
 
Round 9: The others who haven't been mentioned yet:  2FM definitely has the better overall roster of presenters: Saturday show presnter Will Leahy, indie buff Cormac Battle, golden oldies spinmaster John Clarke, Sunday cruiser Aidan Leonard and sportsman Shane O'Donoghue. Today FM has some good people, Anne Marie Kelly, Jim O'Neill and Martin "I present the weather, me" King being the standouts, but 2FM walk this particlular fight.
Result: 2FM 9, Today FM 7
 
OVERALL: 2FM 69, Today FM 66

Ooh, how tight was that! It was a close-fought battle, but 2FM walk away with the prize for "Best Radio Station"!

By: Patrick Duffy

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