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TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY was among those to pay tribute to the legendary RTÉ sports presenter Bill O’Herlihy at the launch of the broadcaster’s book in Dublin last night.
As well as the Taoiseach, O’Herlihy was joined by soccer panellists Eamon Dunphy and John Giles along with a number of government ministers, including Chief Whip Paul Kehoe and Communication Minister Pat Rabbitte, at the launch of his new book We’ll Leave It There So, written with sports writer Ewan MacKenna.
Kenny gave a lengthy speech paying tribute to O’Herlihy who has fronted RTÉ’s soccer and Olympics coverage since the early 1970s and who was joined last night at the launch by family, friends and colleagues past and present from the State broadcaster.
(Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)
Of O'Herlihy, the Taoiseach said: "I agree with Dunphy on one or two occasions because he did say that after 30 years he [O'Herlihy] still displays the same professionalism, the same level of dedication and preparation for the job that he does and it shows."
He paid tribute to O'Herlihy's talents and his work in current affairs prior to becoming a sports broadcaster, noting that the Cork man had interviewed former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and the fiery unionist leader Ian Paisley.
Listen to Taoiseach Enda Kenny's full tribute to Bill O'Herlihy:
Kenny said that he considered O'Herlihy - a Fine Gael supporter and former party strategist - to be a "a friend, a mentor and a person you can be absolutely proud of".
Dunphy, who has worked with O'Herlihy for over 30 years, paid tribute to his "journalistic, enquiring mind" and the dedication to the job.
"We could not do it without Bill O'Herlihy," he said.
From left to right: John Giles, Bill O'Herlihy, Eamon Dunphy and Enda Kenny at last night's book launch in the Merrion Hotel in Dublin (Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)
Giles joked that was a "newcomer to the show" given he had started 26 years ago in comparison to the 34 years that Dunphy and O'Herlihy have worked together.
While in his own speech, O'Herlihy himself paid tribute to the "three women in my life" his wife Hillary and his daughters Jill and Sally who were at last night's book launch along with other friends and family.
"I am the luckiest man in the world, the Lord has been really good to me," he added.
The Bill O'Herlihy Autobiography: We'll Leave It There So, with Ewan MacKenna is available now from Paperweight Publications.
Stay tuned to TheJournal.ie for more from an interview with Bill O'Herlihy later this week.
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”The guy’s a Creep Bill!”
Everyone seems to be releasing autobiographies lately, didn’t Giles release his recently? That said, I don’t begrudge Billo any success this book brings his way. A true consummate professional.
He’s the only one on that RTE panel I have time for. Well done Bill, you’re a legend.
Why should he have his book endorsed by the Taoiseach?? Hmm
he always has a flecky handkerchief in his jacket pocket, me and my brother reckon their his wife knickers. that said, I love the man. he is amazing!
One of the most bias commentators around, another R.T.E. hack
I used to put petrol in his car,a miserable git wouldn’t give the time of day,great at winding up Giles,Brady and dunphy though,top man on the tellybox I’ll give him that
Wow. Will history ever forgive us for not having President Okey-Doke?
Sure he’s from Cork like!
On de ball bud up the rebels
Always had great time for Billo very calm and polished presenter
He knows almost nothing about football. He’ll go a long way!
always seemed a bit full of himself in any interviews I read and heard with him , but he runs the panel very well and there is no obvious replacement , moloney is too bland , safe and “nice”
Legendary? He sits down and chairs a debate about football. Why this is worthy of a book is beyond me. Seems like a nice fella though.
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