Last year, when I met Bill O’Herlihy for the first and only time just days before his last broadcast anchoring the RTÉ football panel, he made one of those characteristic self-depreciating comments as we were finishing up.

He gave the impression of having the same knowledge as an armchair fan but that is what made him such a great broadcaster, writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford

The Irish Open is a subject and tournament close to my heart, not just because I’ve been fortunate to play in it but because it has, at best, only limped along, with its sponsor status never fully guaranteed from year to year.

Bill O’Herlihy spoke humbly about the role of luck, fate and talented colleagues in his career — in possibly his last time on the airwaves less than a fortnight ago.

Rory McIlroy might feel he has unfinished business at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open but there’s no doubt in Paul McGinley’s mind that the young Ulster man has nothing to prove at Royal County Down.

Between final exams at Maynooth University and a full amateur schedule, there has been a lot on Gary Hurley’s plate as he prepares to make another appearance in an Irish Open.

There will be some special guests at tomorrow’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Pro Am at Royal County Down, as two teams of young golfers from Shannon Golf Club in Clare and Faithlegg Golf Club in Waterford reap their reward for winning the inaugural Irish Open Golf Skills Challenge.

Looking around Bill O’Herlihy’s office raised an immediate question.

IT is possible to argue that, with the possible exception of Michael O’Hehir, Bill O’Herlihy was the broadcaster most universally welcome in Irish homes over the last 50 years.

Tributes have been pouring in for RTÉ sports broadcaster Bill O’ Herlihy who passed away today at the age of 76; Averil Power has resigned from Fianna Fáil and the Westboro Baptist Church can’t work out the Irish tricolour. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

You’re backing the bid for the Rugby World Cup? 

Summertime is right around the corner and it’s the season for going on holidays or staring aimlessly out the window, wishing you were somewhere else.

One called him a legend, the other a colossus and both CJ Stander and Anthony Foley admitted how much Munster will miss Paul O’Connell when he plays his last game for the province in Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 final.

Munster 21 Ospreys 18: Paul O’Connell has spent the last few months, in public at least, ruminating over the right way to retire from professional sport and has been at pains to point out that not every athlete is fortunate to bow out from their sport in the manner of their choosing.

There was some terrific Irish racing on ATR last Sunday, from Navan and Limerick, but for many of us the real highlight came at the end of the programme when Gary O’Brien interviewed Robbie McNamara.

Arsenal have confirmed the departures of winger Ryo Miyaichi to German club St Pauli and defender Semi Ajayi to Cardiff.

US ambassador to Ireland Kevin O’Malley has written an open letter to all Irish students on J1 visas encouraging them to stay on and finish their summer working overseas.

Curvy put herself in the frame for a crack at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with a cosy victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday.

It’s been 15 years since an Irish team won the nations cup at Rotterdam and it’s guaranteed to be 16, as Ireland will not be represented today.

Found can extend the record-breaking exploits of jockey Ryan Moore by taking the Coronation Stakes this afternoon at Royal Ascot.