ATTEND A MEDIA event or press briefing in Dublin and there is a strong chance that you will see Stephen Doyle and his red 98fm microphone.
The radio reporter is a virtual ever-present on the sports scene in the capital. A typical day may see him talking Airtricity League at Tallaght Stadium, asking Jim Gavin for his take on the Dublin footballers at Croke Park and querying Irish rugby squad selections out at Carton House.
His absence at an Ireland soccer press briefing, in Malahide last year, was remarked upon by Giovanni Trapattoni. The Italian wondered aloud where the handsome man was.
“It was beautiful man,” Doyle clarifies when TheScore.ie brings up the incident. “My mum said I had a face for radio so I was delighted to tell her about that.”
The Kilnamanagh native started his journey onto the country’s airwaves as a mature student at Ballyfermot College of Further Education. “I was lasting one or two years in jobs,” he recalled, “before moving on. I realised that I needed to find something I like doing.”
His start in radio came at a community station broadcasting from Tallaght. His break with 98fm came courtesy of a friend working at the Dublin station. His first meeting with [head of sport] Johnny Lyons, the man he now co-presents a Sunday sports show with, got off to a good start. Doyle said:
My hair was slightly long at that stage. I walked in to meet Johnny and he exclaimed ‘Ah, you must be Stephen. I’d hire you for the haircut alone’. It probably helped my cause that Johnny used to write for Hot Press and, like me, was a big music fan.”
Doyle started off with freelance sports reporting shifts for the station and had made sufficient progress in his first six months that he was left with a decision. The choice was finishing his course in Ballyfermot or joining up with 98fm on a regular basis. The Dubliner opted for the radio route.
Jack of all trades
While GAA, rugby and soccer may be the main sports Doyle covers, he has a wide interest in sport. He credits his father for his love of boxing and The Dubs. His interest in snooker, tennis and darts comes from time spent as a youngster with his mother.
Press briefings, team announcements, in-studio reports and bulletins, and one-on-one interviews are all part of the job but there is no doubt that aspect of the job Doyle enjoys most.
“The live stuff, without a doubt,” he told TheScore.ie. “As a radio reporter, that’s what you live for.
I love the buzz, walking to Croker on a Sunday afternoon or the RDS on a Friday or Saturday night. Setting up in the stands, getting my notes ready and a buzz all around you. You can’t beat it.
“There was one time when Alan Brogan scored a goal in the middle of a live bulletin of a Dublin and Tyrone game. The crowd erupted and I’m shouting the updates into the mic. That was unforgettable.”
*Here are Doyle’s most memorable interviews:
Brian O’Driscoll
I had a one-on-one for a Gillette event that O’Driscoll was at. It was one of my first major interviews and, to be honest, I was an absolute nervous wreck. Here I was, about to interview Ireland’s best rugby player and possibly the greatest Irish sportsman ever. I was starstruck, I’ll admit it.
However, as Brian is such a gentleman and such a clever, considered bloke. He’s got an opinion and is very intelligent in how he talks. During the interview, he made it very easy for me. I got over my nerves after that and it was never an issue again.
After our interview was over, I was standing outside and Brian’s sister, who was looking after him that day, told me Brian thought he’s been interviewed by one of the Gallagher [Oasis] brothers.
Roy Keane
Roy was doing one of his regular interviews on behalf of Irish Guide-dogs for the Blind. A fellow journalist, who shall remain nameless, asked him if it was possible that Sunderland, who he was managing at the time, might part company with him.
He asked Roy if he was thinking of walking away. Roy just looked at him with those piercing eyes of his. I could feel my microphone quivering. Needless to say, that was the end of the interview. I was delighted that I had got my questions in beforehand.
Kevin Doyle
We chatted to Kevin after the 0-0 against Russia, the game in which Richard Dunne ingrained himself in Irish football history. Doyle was not happy as he had been left out of the team for the Slovakia game a few days before. We caught up with him in the mixed zone.
He let it be known that he wasn’t happy that he was left out. He felt he should have been trusted by the manager. That’s not something you would hear much from players; most of them don’t want to say anything that might upset the boss. It was a very honest, refreshing interview.
Katie Taylor
I met Katie and her dad, Pete, in the Athlete’s Village at London 2012, the day after she won her Gold Medal. We all knew that she was religious but most of the knowledge seemed to be limited to the fact she was a born-again Christian.
It was a 12 minute chat but about seven or eight minutes was Katie opening up on her religion. I’m not too religious but that had an impact on me; how much she believed God had to do with her win at the Olympics.
I was taken aback a bit. You don’t get many Irish athletes today that talk about their religion. It’s almost a naff subject. However, if Katie’s story and her faith can inspire a new generation to sporting success, I’m all for that.
