The LAST WORD

RTÉ’s Group Football Correspondent Tony O’Donoghue is obsessed with his wife Sarah and his two children, Aoife and Tim. He also adores Choc Ices, his car and U2’s song, One...

What’s your greatest achievement in life?

Eamonn Dunphy would say, “Managing to be on this planet for so many years, baby.” I’ve been very lucky in my career, I’ve reported on the Olympics, World Athletics Championships, World Cups and European Championships. Having a ringside seat at global events is a big achievement.

Are you happy with your life so far? How would you rate it out of 10?

You can always improve as a person, but I would still say 9/10. I’m blessed with my wife Sarah and my two amazing children. Aoife, who is my child from my first marriage to Mary Wilson, and Tim, from my second marriage. I’ve had a great opportunity to have two families in a way. I got cancer just over 10 years ago and that put everything in perspective for me. It made me realise that the most important things in life are the simple things.

When are you happiest?

A desk job isn’t for everybody. The fact I get to travel the world a lot, there’s a buzz to that and that makes me happy. I was probably more enthusiastic than skilful, but I was always a keen football player. I still play twice a week, that’s my yoga or my zen. That’s when I forget about everything while I run around like a lunatic.

What’s your favourite sporting memory?

Amber Barrett’s goal in Hampden Park in Glasgow that qualified Ireland for the World Cup. There was huge joy that erupted after it and it was a wonderful occasion. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be there that night. Amber’s post-match speech was very poignant as she remembered the victims of the Creeslough tragedy [when an explosion at a Donegal service station left 10 dead and eight injured in October, 2022]. She was able to compartmentalise her own glorious moment while still having empathy for what happened in her home area. I’ve been following this team for more years than I care to admit, I was reporting on the Ireland women’s team when Katie Taylor was still playing.

Are you religious?

I don’t know. I was brought up religious, like a lot of the country. I’m not very happy with a lot of things that have happened within the church, but I’d like to think there’s a higher power. I’m more spiritual than religious.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I’m trying to be aware of my weight. However, I do like a Choc Ice. I’m going to be on the barricades if they take them off the market. That’s just not acceptable [laughs].

Which living person do you admire?

I’ve always been a great fan of Michael D. Higgins. As a president, he has represented the country wonderfully. I was aware of his political activism and he’s a wonderful sportsperson. As president, I meet him semi-regularly at half time for a cup of tea in the likes of Dalymount Park in Dublin or Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. He’s a huge League of Ireland fan.

When the time comes, how would you like to be remembered?

As someone who respected other people and as someone who tried to be kind. In journalism, I want to be the guy who asked the questions that people at home wanted.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

Probably my car. I’m on the M50, going over and back to FAI headquarters or driving to Derry, Dundalk or Cork all the time. I write and record in the car as well when I’m going from A to B. It’s worth it.

Has any song or movie inspired you?

My favourite movie is True Romance, it is a Tarantino-esque style movie. I’m a huge U2 fan and I find Bono to be very inspiring. Their track One is a great song.

If you could nominate any Irish sports stars or sports team to be on a hall of fame, who would you choose?

Sonia O’Sullivan has to be number one. I was reporting on her even before the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. I was in Athens in June and I was reminded of her competing there in 2004. Like everyone, my greatest memory of her was her winning silver in Sydney in 2000. It was great to be back in Australia with the Ireland women’s team recently. Roy Keane is another because he was one of the most driven and interesting characters I have ever had to interact with. Finally I would say Denise O’Sullivan, who is also from Cork, is a truly world class player.

I want to be remembered as someone who tried to be kind