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IFB Chairman Bill O'Herlihy has passed away
25 May 2015 : Seán Brosnan
Bill O’Herlihy has passed away aged 76
Veteran broadcaster and Irish Film Board chairman Bill O'Herlihy has passed away suddenly. He was 76.

Born in Cork, O’Herlihy followed his grandfather into journalism and secured a job at the Cork Examiner aged 16. In the early 1960s, O'Herlihy began his broadcasting career when he started to do local soccer reports from Cork for Radio Éireann. In 1965 he made his first television broadcast in a programme commemorating the sinking of the Lusitania off the Cork coast.

In 1978 he became RTÉ’s regular presenter for soccer coverage, a position which brought him much public adoration and fame.

Bill O’Herlihy presented ten World Cups for RTÉ, including Brazil 2014, and ten Olympics Games. Bill also presented the first Rugby World Cup on RTÉ television as well as co-presenting the very first Sunday Game with Jim Carney in 1979. The 2014 FIFA World Cup was the final tournament that he covered before retiring.

Noel Curran, Director-General, RTÉ, said: “Everyone in RTÉ is devastated at today’s news. Bill O’Herlihy was a giant of the sporting and broadcasting worlds in this country.”

"His contribution to broadcasting was utterly unique. For decades he was at the centre of some of Ireland’s greatest sporting moments. He never hid his emotions on those big occasions, from disappointment to utter joy, and for this he was greatly loved.”

"But he was also a fantastic broadcaster and interviewer, getting the very best out of his interview panels and provoking debate and insight, and for this he was also hugely admired. Our sincere sympathies go to Bill’s wife Hillary, daughters Jill and Sally, grandchildren, family, friends and colleagues."

As Chairman of the Irish Film Board, he was a great advocate for the Irish Film and Television industry and worked tirelessly to support the promotion and development of the culture of film and of the film industry in Ireland.

Irish Film Board member Annie Doona said: "Bill was a wonderful Chairman to work with. All of the board members very much appreciated his dedication, warm-heartedness and commitment, both at board meetings and in the promotion of the work of the Irish Film Board. He will be hugely missed by all the members of the board".

James Hickey, CEO of the IFB said that "It was a great personal pleasure for me to get to know Bill when he was appointed as Chair of the Irish Film Board three years ago. In those three years, he was a constant promoter of the work of the Irish Film Board, both in public and behind the scenes. He was wonderful company to be with and was always full of good humour and kindness with everyone he met. We will all miss him greatly".





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