Beautiful game of life runs on and on

Bill O’Herlihy believes he is the luckiest man in the world.

Not only has he had a successful career indulging his love of sport as a broadcaster with RTÉ, but he has also survived two life-threatening diseases.

“Writing my autobiography made me realise I had taken so much for granted and that I had forgotten a lot. But when I look back now, I realise I have been very lucky,” he says.

Initially Bill did not want to write his autobiography, as he did not think it would be “sufficiently interesting”. But after much persuasion by his friend and colleague Eamon Dunphy, he changed his mind.

“Eamon knows me so well and told me I was selling myself short, that I had been part of the major development of RTÉ, and that it was a story well worth telling.”

Bill was one of RTÉ’s first regional reporters, based in Cork, and quickly gained a reputation as one of the station’s top journalists.

“I am a great believer that the Lord moves in mysterious ways and moving to the sports department was the best thing I ever did. I found my niche. I don’t think I would have had the same level of job satisfaction if I had stayed in current affairs,’’ he says.

In 1984, Bill had his first brush with death. While in a meeting, he began getting pains in his chest and arms. He put it down to indigestion but in fact he was having a heart attack.

“I could have been dead at 42. After that meeting I was due to fly to London. They told me if I had flown, I would have died,’’ he says. “I am a great believer in the power of prayer. To be honest, I think the Lord has looked after me very well.”

After having a triple bypass operation, Bill admits he questioned whether he could continue broadcasting due to the stress. But his consultant urged him on.

“Metaphorically, he held my hand. The first programme back was very tense for me and the team. They were afraid I would die on the spot. Once it was over, I felt better and haven’t looked back since.”

However, in 2007, Bill had his second major health scare, this time it was cancer.

His mother and two sisters have all died from the disease. But again, O’Herlihy feels “very lucky’’ as it was caught in time.

His wife Hilary thought he looked “awful” and suggested he go for an assessment at the Beacon Hospital.

Ten days later, he was operated on for colonic cancer.

“After my heart operation, I was very careful. I didn’t want to get stressed . But, funnily enough, I didn’t have the same concern about the cancer. I felt going into that operation that I had nothing to fear,” he recalls.

After much consideration, he has decided to retire following the 2014 World Cup. He knows his last programme will be an emotional one, but jokes that people will soon forget about him.

“Three months after I leave, people will be saying, “Bill who?’” he laughs. “I think it will be very emotional, but I have to be realistic. I will be aged 75 then, and I can’t go into the studio with my Zimmer frame.

“I have been the luckiest guy in the world. My life has been very positive. My philosophy is simple — relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t think too much about the past or the future. Live for the present.’’

* We’ll Leave It There So — Bill O’Herlihy’s Autobiography with Ewan McKenna, €14.99.