Meet George Hamilton: The voice of Ireland

From ‘oh, danger here’ to ‘the nation holds its breath’, the words of RTÉ commentator George Hamilton have become part of Irish football folklore. LIAM MACKEY meets the man behind the mic

Since at George Hamilton’s suggestion, we’re having a most convivial lunch in the private members’ Ulster Reform Club in his native Belfast – an old world choice of interview location which requires your correspondent to step out of his sartorial comfort zone and into a jacket, shirt and tie – it seems only fair that I try to get my retaliation in by mischievously putting the cross-border broadcaster on the spot.

“So, George,” I say, “it’s Northern Ireland v the Republic of Ireland at the Euros: where does your allegiance lie?”