NEXT MONTH’S WORLD Cup may be Bill O’Herlihy’s last hurrah on the RTÉ panel, but elder statesman John Giles says he has no plans to hang up the boots just yet.
75-year-old anchor O’Herlihy announced last year that he is calling time on his 50-year broadcasting career by departing the immensely-experienced group made up of Messrs Giles, Dunphy and Brady.
However, speaking at opening of the Stella Maris FC’s new 3G pitch, former Ireland midfielder and international manager Giles revealed he is happy to soldier on as a football pundit for the foreseeable future.
“Bill has been great,” said Giles. “He has done the job brilliantly so he’ll be hard to replace but we’ve got Darragh Maloney coming along. He’s a young lad and I’ll think he will do well.
“We’ve been together a long time. Eamon has been on the panel longer than I have. I joined with the lads in ‘86, which is a long time in this particular business.
“It’s no hassle to do it. I enjoy doing it and I don’t feel under any pressure. If I was doing matches on rugby or tennis or golf, I’d be like that (shaking) before I went on, but with football you’re just reacting to what is happening and giving your opinions.
I don’t think about it (retirement) to be honest. I feel okay and as long as I can do the job and enjoy it then I’ll continue to do it. I don’t think about the age business.”
Dunphy also sang the praises of O’Herlihy, adding: “Bill has been part of the team since I started, which is 36 years ago. He’s a great sports anchor and he will be hugely missed.
“Darragh Maloney is very, very good but definitely World Cup final night will be heavy with the sense that something that has meant a lot to all of us is ending.”
The pair, both former schoolboy players with Stella Maris, were present at their Waterfall Avenue ground in Fairview to officially unveil the full size surface, which was installed by PST Sport and is the first of its kind in Ireland.
“When you’ve seen the job they have done, it’s absolutely brilliant,” said Giles. Clubs need these facilities now more than ever. When I was a kid, we played on the street and it was safe to play there.
“You can’t play on the street anymore though because it’s not safe so the kids needs pitches like these.
“It is great to come back to the club and see the job that has been done here through a lot of hard work through Derek Moore and the rest. I’m delighted to see it.”
Okey dokey, we’ll leave it there so!
He’ll be missed as he definitely gets the best out of them with his subtle trolling.
But I gotta say I really like Darragh Maloney, he’s not afraid to get a good debate going and seems to have a decent sense of humor too.
If Maloney does the anchor gig full time it’s a big loss to the GAA commentary. By far RTE’s best GAA commentator.
Panel are really past it. Gary neville and the depth of analysis out there from the guardian etc really show up how poor rte is once you get past the occasional feigned dunphy outrage. Giles comment there is typical, just reacting to what he sees. No research, no insight just tired old analysis now approaching irrelevance. Bill is padticularly terrible with his back of a crisp packet insights he read that morning.
I have to agree I had to watch the final last night on rte and it was drivel from the panel not one bit of insight into the game , Ronaldo bashing for the hell of it and as for George Hamilton how he still has a job is beyond me , the amount of mistakes he made last night was disgraceful I counted at least 11 times where he called a players name wrong or he said so and so got booked when it was quite clear it was not them , it’s time for rte to shake things up get Kenny cunningham and Richie sadiler on the panel and do some actual work
Bill will be a huge loss he has a great relationship with the panel and they making even the most boring game interesting. The panel itself really debate games with passion and no nonsense unlike other broadcasters. I wish Bill all the best when he retires and think Darragh Maloney will do a great job taking over from him
I prefer Maloney as a commentator. At least it’s not Peter Collins. As for Bill he’s irreplaceable
Baloney
Another job for Roy?
“the age business” haha everything is a business with Giles
Richie Sadiler and Kenny Cunninghams voices go through my brain. Any time Cunningham is on the tele I just look at his fairy ring hair cut for the nite and laugh. George Hamilton is shocking at commentating.