Former RTÉ athletics commentator Tony O'Donoghue has died.
O’Donoghue spent over 40 years working for RTÉ, during which time he covered every Olympics from Munich 1972 to the London Games in 2012.
A former athlete himself, O’Donoghue’s commentary coloured some of Ireland’s greatest sporting moments.One of his most memorable lines came in 1983 as Eamonn Coghlan won gold in the 5,000m at the World Championships in Helsinki, where O’Donoghue proclaimed: “Eamonn Coghlan is going to do what he has been threatening to do all his life.”
"With total contempt, he runs away from entire field" - Was Eamonn Coghlan's win #Irelandsgreatest of the 1980s? Have your say at 9.30pm? pic.twitter.com/C3F0IqTgSJDuring his own athletics career O’Donoghue was one of the home representatives in the Golden Mile race in Santry in 1958 when for the first time in history five men ran sub minutes in the same race – O’Donoghue, Herb Elliott, Murray Halberg, Ronnie Delany, Albie Thomas and Merv Lincoln.
A renowned statistician, O’Donoghue’s book ‘Irish Championship Athletics 1873-1914′ was published in 2005.Nations Analysis Get Murray Kinsella’s exclusive analysis of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign this springDes Cahill wrote: “Really sad news. I loved Tony as a commentator, and he was great company. May he rest in peace.”
George Hamilton added: “A genial colleague, a true gentleman who wore his sporting and historical knowledge lightly, and above all else, the most wonderful friend. So sorry for his treasured family.”
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
RTE viewers loved Tommy Tiernan guest's enthusiasm during brilliant interviewTommy Tiernan found himself conducting a very interesting interview on the latest episode of his hit Saturday night chat show, and viewers couldn't get enough
Read more »
RTE's Tommy Tiernan 'nearly crying' after brush with death on way home from gig'It was a twitch in my body where I wanted to shake the handlebars. I was going, 'what the f**k is this?'' he recalled.'
Read more »
Tony O’Brien: Organised racism poses a clear and present dangerThe government must address the valid concerns of ordinary citizens around issues such as housing policy and access to healthcare and prevent far-right agitators from exploiting these grievances to promote their own racist agenda
Read more »
Tony O’Brien: Organised racism poses a clear and present dangerThe government must address the valid concerns of ordinary citizens around issues such as housing policy and access to healthcare and prevent far-right agitators from exploiting these grievances to promote their own racist agenda
Read more »
Former Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ní Riada is to leave politicsMs Ni Riada had been selected by Sinn Fein to run in three seat Cork North West
Read more »
Maynooth pub says pints are 'on the house' for former regular Paul Mescal | Her.ieThere will always be free pints available for Paul Mescal at his local pub.
Read more »