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GEORGE HOOK HAS been speaking today about how his media work ‘saved his life’.
The notoriously contrary rugby pundit and media personality was Brendan O’Connor’s guest of honour on the John Murray show this morning on RTE radio following his retirement from rugby punditry after Ireland’s Six-Nations victory on Saturday.
When asked by O’Connor about whether he felt his TV work had been the turning point for him, the 73-year-old replied, “Of course, it saved my life.”
Hook came to the media quite late (in his early fifties) having been a businessman for many years, and not always a successful one (O’Connor went so far as to describe him as being ‘a waster’ for the first two thirds of his life).
When I got a call from RTE 20 years ago to do a match, the only other phone calls I was getting at the time were Irish Permanent wanting me in the High Court. My wife didn’t want me back any more, I had 11 banks daily saying ‘what about the money you owe us’.
But if I’m proud of one thing I’m proud I took the opportunity RTE gave me, and my kids are proud too. I never thought I’d have a pension, paying for groceries would be the maximum, so the prospect of a pension is extraordinary.
When asked about the low-key nature of his retirement, Cork native Hook was at pains to play down the significance of his leaving.
“At the end of the day it’s a TV guy going, not the Taoiseach,” he said.
I had Mark McKenna (RTE producer) put up against a wall and said ‘if there’s a big fandango your head is coming off’.
Hook maintains that his decision won’t be reversed. Although gone from our rugby screens, he’ll continue on his Newstalk radio show The Right Hook for the immediate future.
If you take a decision to retire and then you don’t, well then that’s some bad decision.
I worked it out two years ago and I’m utterly happy about it. I told my son George Jr., I’ll be really pissed off if I die before my new life plan has a chance to take place.
When asked what his plans are he said he wanted ‘to give something back to young people’s rugby’.
My wife has told me though, if I think I’m coming home for lunch I’m very much mistaken.
But look life in the media is very rewarding, it’s well paid, you have a public image, but it’s terribly demanding.
I’ve been working seven days a week for the last 20 years, now it’s time for a break.
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Enough about Kenny, what do you think about Trump John?
@Andrew Corcoran: You stole my punchline.
A few variations in the comments on this obvious joke here, delivery may leave a bit to be desired though. I was thinking along the lines of “…and Trump is no great shakes either.” Boom, boom.
@Andrew Corcoran:
BREAKING: Irish PM drops hand.
@Andrew Corcoran:
A “misogynist, sexual predator, liar”, sounds a lot like your friend Conor Cruise O’Brien.
I’m no fan of Trump, but he seems to be a target for the Irish political fraud class.
Get lost Halligan.
What type of people will Halliday meet with in Brazil ? Saints?
He’ll be smiling and shaking hands and getting pictures with people he won’t have a clue of. Moron. Jumping on the anti-Trump train purely for populist reasons when in actuality he couldn’t give a sh|t.
Halligan with his porno moustache !
Dyed..porno misstache
@Andrew Corcoran: He will kiss the bishops ring….go figure !!!!!
Halligan as always left out the most important part. …US president who has the power to make life very very difficult for the US based undocumented, and the documented and the many US corporations who reside here and employ tens of thousands of Irish people… so, No, Enda and his team need to tread extremely carefully. And I would imagine the 40 million Americans who claim some level of Irishness expect him to handle himself like a proper statesman
So we better just let him grab our pussy and be grateful he didn’t want a golden shower!
Daisy .. over dramatics as usual ..
@Lisa Callanan: Probably the most ignorant comment on The Journal for 2017 so far, well done. Firstly, they are not ‘undocumented’, they are ILLEGAL immigrants, are you defending their criminal activities?
Secondly, US corporations in Ireland couldn’t give a flying fcuk what Donald Trump thinks, or if Enda Kenny spat in his face, they’re here in Ireland to make MONEY, not as some kind of patriotic experiment.
Thirdly, cop on.
Good manners cost nothing OpenBorders.
they let you grab them by the pussy when your famous says more about the woman who let it happen than trump in fairness.
Seems like John Halligan can never open his mouth these days without mentioning Shane Ross.
What’s with these two amigos?
Bromance
A clown and a nobody – Halligan, elected by us…
@Fank Pulman:
He’s a minister. He should not be coming out and making statements asking others to do this and that. he should be telling/demanding/commanding from the cabinet table.
This rant is for his own ego and PR to look good in the eyes of his voters.
100% Alan. He’s in election mode.
It’s almost like projection, as in it takes one to know one.
Looking for free publicity – total fool – parish pump politician
Trump is democratically elected American president not some nobody milking the taxpayer and looking for attention
P.s. No one gives a damn what you think John – newsflash
@Fank Pulman:
Well, living in Waterford I have to take some responsibility in that regard having voted for John. He’s a great politician on local issues and his clinic does a huge amount of good work for ordinary people on a daily basis. But I certainly did not vote for him to prop up Fine Tory and he’ll have to start re-evaluating his social priorities if he’s to earn my vote again next time round.
Alan he is a politician first and for most and we know Irish politicians only really interested in next election
@Shane Cormican: Irish politicians? What? Unlike other politicians? Don’t be silly, that’s all they all think about. That’s democracy at work
There are very few people that will please everyone so should we have a national vote on who Kenny should meet and who he shouldn’t because of their views? If Le Pen gets elected or Wilders should we blank France and Holland as well? Diplomacy isn’t about having a laugh with your buddies it’s about doing business with those you dislike because you are putting your country before your personal feelings.
@Brian Ward: Keep your friends close and enemies ………..
Calm down, calm down, calm down John.
I hate Trump and all he stands for but I think it’s hilarious how people think our incredibly valuable diplomatic channels with the US should be shut down because Trump is in power. America is an ally of ours, let’s not damage decades of good relations just because there’s an idiot in the White House
@Tweety McTweeter:
Or another idiot at the cabinet table from Waterford.
Ahhh but Trump will tickle his belly… You can’t expect the man to turn down a belly tickling.
Maybe he’ll grab him by the pussy.
“‘He’s a misogynist, he’s a liar, he’s a sexual predator’: John Halligan not happy with Kenny meeting Trump”
I’m sure Trump will be able to cope with him.
It was the acceptance of FG dominance in Cabinet that finished Labour. It’s an easy win for FG every time. No doubt the threat to bring down the Govt on these points of principle has a cost in personal monetary terms and we know their principles do not stand up against cash in the now and the pot of gold in the future. So whinge and whine is what we get instead and hand wringing.
Being complete traitors to the people of ireland…getting into bed with fg …Alan kelly. …that’s what finished labour …
Ahh John wtf cares what you think about anything. You sold your constituents out for a pension for yourself. And why can’t you stay home instead of going to Brazil. Ohh of course it’s because over their you will be wined dined and saluted.
Jaysis.. I thought it was Gaddafi in the photo for a sec. Anyway with Brexit being triggered this Tuesday or Wednesday and possible emergency meetings of European leaders in the following days is it really the best time for Enda to be swanning off to Washington?
Well Mr Halligan we can’t all have cushy little ministerial jobs can we. Some of us have jobs in multinationals from the US. Would you rather if we made use of your social welfare system? Didn’t think so now shut your little beak
How do you know you Muppet haligan
Halligan is just miffed that he’s not going instead, tool
Trump’s advisers are probably asking him not to meet with a spineless treasonous idiot…
Enda a sexual predator? Well I never
Trump has something that neither Halligan nor Kenny have, BALLS
He’s rich and old, won’t have to deal with the consequences of his actions…
Enda is planning to go out with a bang by ripping Trump a new one. Don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret.
Abort Kenny’s ‘free’ holiday? Never. You’d have a better chance of getting a kiss off Mother Theresa.
How dare you speak about the President of the united states like that And you with the hair dyed off you..
Misogynist, liar, sexual predator…. But what does Halligan think about Trump?
@David Mac Shite: Doesn’t Halligan believe in fairies? Tw@t.
Don’t be ridiculous Snuff. It’s leprechauns.
Halligan is the worst kind of politician.
Pure ar$e hole.
So John Halligan labels somebody else a liar. We really have entered the twilight zone/
Look folks a hypocrite , all bark no bite halligan.
he not so quick to pass the same comment for priests and nuns,,,,,,,,,,too clever for that!
Enjoy the state sponsored junket in Brazil Mr. Halligan’s ball.I stepped out and I stepped in again learning how to do the samba in San Paulo after avoiding the aliens around the Bermuda Triangle.I don’t like that man said the state sponsored strictly come dancining Waterford waster.
Holy s**t, can’t believe Kenny is maintaining diplomatic relations with the most powerful country in the world and our biggest source of FDI. What a madman!
What a stupid wild statement a lot of Irish illegals are in the hands of the President and here is this dope attracting all the wrong press.
I once got help from a minister in his position to tell FAS to deliver a training course. Manager in FAS centre said “Nah, I don’t care” These ministers have bugger all power. Waste of time. Fire them and public servants. Interview to apply for a job back. Why do we support these morons every election? Shameful.
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