RTÉ will be providing comprehensive coverage of the World Cup 2002
in Japan and Korea. Network 2 has been designated
"World Cup channel" for the duration of the tournament,
and all of RTÉ's World Cup coverage will be broadcast on
that channel.
Irish viewers will be able to see coverage of every
match in the tournament on Network 2, and the
station will feature in-depth coverage of
Ireland's progress with the best interviews, reports and
analysis of the national team in their third World Cup.
A first class commentary team of George Hamilton,
Darragh Maloney, Stephen Alkin and Jimmy Magee will
bring RTÉ viewers comprehensive World Cup
coverage possible, with the programme anchor duties
shared between Bill O'Herlihy and Peter Collins.
Panellists for the coverage include The Premiership
regulars John Giles and Eamon Dunphy, as well as former
Irish internationals Liam Brady, Ray Houghton, Tony
Cascarino and Denis Irwin. Also on analysis duty will
be Brian Kerr and former Northern Ireland international
Gerry Armstrong.
56 out of the total 64 matches will be screened live on
Network 2, and full
highlights of those matches will be screened immediately
afterwards, and every match involving Ireland will be
screened live.
RTÉ's coverage will begin with a preview of the
tournament on May 30th, with the opening ceremony and
first match, between holders France and Senegal, taking
place the following day. Thereafter, World Cup Live
will run from 7.00am - 2.30pm each day for the entire
group stage of the competition, featuring news, sports
news and weather reports as well as the live football
and analysis. A similar programme will continue on into
the second round and throughout the competition.
This will be followed each evening by two separate
highlights programmes. Today at the World Cup will be a
full-length programme featuring extensive highlights and
analysis, including a full daily report from the Irish
camp. Game of the Day will feature extended highlights
from one match, and brief highlights of the other
matches taking place each day.
The lads from the now legendary Apres Match will also be
making regular appearances throughout the tournament.
Niall Cogley, RTÉ Head of Sport, said: "No other
channel in this territory will be showing as many
matches live as us. RTÉ will be broadcasting around 200
hours of television for the tournament, and coupled with
the formidable presenting team and original programming
we're offering, I think this makes for an unrivalled
package of the world's most exciting soccer event.
www.rte.ie/sport
