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Okey doke

'I take my leave with so many great memories': Billo's tribute and farewell speech

Tonight’s World Cup final was Bill O’Herlihy’s last time in the RTÉ chair.

Updated 14 July, 8.05am

RTÉ Sport / YouTube

RTÉ’S LEGENDARY SPORTS anchor Bill O’Herlihy hung up his mic tonight after a long and distinguished career in broadcasting.

Signing off after Germany won the 2014 World Cup against Argentina, 75-year-old Billo finished with this short speech:

“That’s it for the World Cup coverage and that’s it from me too.

“I take my leave with so many great memories through more than 40 years of sports broadcasting. I’ve been lucky to be part of a huge, positive development in RTÉ sports coverage that got so many great occasions to the public but my work on soccer, and most especially with the Three Amigos here, has been the great highlight of my career.

“Eamon and I have soldiered together since the 70s, John since the 80s and Liam from the 90s. You’ve brought knowledge, insight, controversy and greatly importantly, a sense of fun to our coverage which by any measurement has been outstandingly successful.

“Of course we’ve had our differences like when I sometimes lost the run of myself and imagined I was an analyst rather than an anchor and I got very much put in my place, but I’ve had so much fun over the years, learned so much about football and frankly, and there’s no doubt about this, I have piggybacked on the talent of these three gentlemen.

“Through working with them I have been privileged to serve you, the viewer, and you have been astonishingly generous down through the years. I thank you for that.

“Now I leave the studio and I’ll view your work from the other side of the screen. I wish you continued success but like the Skibbereen Eagle, I’ll be keeping an eye on you.

“So we’ll leave it there so. Okey doke.

“Good night and God bless.”

First published 13 July, 11.40pm

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