Former RTE Journalist Bill O’Herlihy has passed away this morning at the age of 76. He passed away peacefully it was said in a statement.
The Cork man, who retired from RTÉ at the end of last years World Cup, was one of the most influential sports journalists in Ireland and he enjoyed a career that spanned 49 years.
He began working with the Irish Examiner at the age of 16 and he did his first piece for RTÉ in 1965. He initially coverd current affairs for the braodcaster before he switched to sports, where he was to leave a significant mark.
Along with John Giles, Eamonn Dunphy and Liam Brady he became one of the most recognisable faces on Irish TV. During his career, he covered ten world cups.
He also covered the first Rugby World Cup televised on RTÉ and along with Jim Carney, he co-presented the first ever transmission of The Sunday Game in 1979.
Speaking Today, Eamon Dunphy said he was a “fantastic current affairs and sports broadcaster; a journalist with a sharp instinct and a decent, nice man.
“Bill made a massive contribution to the happiness people derived from sport and to the understanding of sport.” He continued.
