Sarah signs off... but drops hint to watch this space
‘Claire is wonderful’
‘It has been an absolute joy’
SARAH McInerney bade a fond farewell to listeners on her last day of hosting RTÉ’s Today radio show yesterday – and gave a hint that she’ll be back on our airwaves imminently by signing off: ‘I hope to be back to talk to you all again soon.’
She also discussed her contentious departure for the first time since it was confirmed that Claire Byrne would take over the role from next Monday. An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed, earlier this week, that though Byrne will take over the popular 10am Radio 1 show, McInerney will continuing on working with the national broadcaster. Details of her mystery new role will be released in the next number of weeks, the national broadcaster confirmed earlier this week.
The journalist had been presenting the show since veteran broadcaster Seán O’Rourke retired in May.
And although there had been some calls for McInerney to stay in the slot, experience won out and Byrne’s years of heading up current affairs shows with RTÉ secured her the job.
Speaking at the end of her final show yesterday, McInerney praised the winning candidate as an accomplished interviewer. ‘That’s all I have time for this week and, indeed, that is all I have time for in this chair,’ she told listeners yesterday. ‘As many of you will have heard, Claire Byrne is going to be taking over from next Monday.
‘Claire is a wonderful broadcaster, a wonderful journalist and a woman I have long admired for her talent and her integrity. She certainly doesn’t need it from me but, all the same, I want to wish her the very best of luck in her new role.’
McInerney later paid tribute to the Today show listeners and staff as she gushed about how much she has enjoyed her time in the coveted hot seat. She said: ‘It has been an absolute joy to come into work every day, I’d also like to thank you guys, the listeners, for your texts and your tweets and your comments and your questions and for sharing your stories during the last few months.
‘It has been so difficult for everyone. I hope to be back to talk to you all again soon.’