PAT SPILLANE IS to bring his punditry career with RTÉ to a close after thirty years.
The Kerry football great made the announcement at the start of the coverage of today’s football games in Croke Park, that this season would be his last working for The Sunday Game.
He will finish up after the All-Ireland final, which is set to take place on Sunday 24 July.
"I'm out the gap, I'm riding off into the sunset." Pat Spillane confirms that after 30 years on the Sunday Game, this will be his last season in front of the camera. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/1I2Aof6AyB
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 9, 2022
“I made my mind up a few months ago that this was going to be my last year with The Sunday Game,” Spillane said at the start of today’s coverage, when talking to presenter Joanne Cantwell.
“It’s my last All-Ireland semi-final I’ll be covering and hopefully in two weeks’ time, in my last outing with The Sunday Game will be for the All-Ireland final.
“I’ve had 30 great years. Thirty years in any gig is a long time. Every dog has its day. I’ve had a brilliant time and I leave with no regrets and lots of great memories.
“I’m looking forward to a more relaxing time outside the pressure cooker of the Sunday Game.”
A legendary Kingdom footballer, Spillane won eight All-Ireland senior medals and nine All-Star awards during his playing career. He began working with RTÉ as a co-commentator and presented The Sunday Game for a spell during the noughties.
His work with RTÉ will be best remembered for the punditry trio he was part of featuring Meath’s Colm O’Rourke and Derry’s Joe Brolly, an established part of their football coverage.
“As pundit and presenter Pat was a mainstay of our GAA coverage for decades and is synonymous with the Sunday Game,” RTÉ Group Head of Sport Declan McBennett said,
“As pundit and presenter Pat was a mainstay of our GAA coverage for decades and is synonymous with the Sunday Game,” said Declan McBennett, Group Head of RTÉ.
“Often colourful, sometimes controversial, his incredible playing career gave him the credibility to call the game without fear or favour as he saw it and he never shirked that responsibility.
“Honest and forthright in his views Pat commanded respect even from those who disagreed with him. We thank him for his loyalty, service, passion and friendship over many years and wish him well as his prepares for his last All Ireland final as part of the RTÉ GAA team.”
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