RTÉ reveals World Cup squad

RTÉ yesterday announced details of its mammoth World Cup coverage plans.

The station will broadcast 56 games live, meaning 152 hours of live football over 25 days from Germany.

Scotland and Liverpool midfield legend Graeme Souness and former Ireland and Birmingham captain Kenny Cunningham have joined the RTÉ panel of pundits.

The duo will join regulars John Giles, Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady, Ray Houghton and Trevor Steven, along with Denis Irwin, Mark Kinsella and Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher in studio.

As ever, Bill O’Herlihy will anchor proceedings along with Peter Collins and Con Murphy, while George Hamilton, Darragh Maloney, Stephen Alkin and Ger Canning will join broadcasting legend Jimmy Magee, who will commentate on his 11th World Cup.

Also announced today were details of a new addition to RTÉ’s World Cup coverage for this year. Gatecrasher will see sports broadcaster Ger Gilroy touring around Germany in a camper van, giving an alternative look at the sights and sounds of the greatest sports show on earth. Ger and his team will cover more than 7106kms, as they visit all 12 World Cup cities to take a look at how the tournament is being celebrated.

Glen Killane, RTÉ Head of TV Sport, said: “RTÉ is committed to making the best possible sporting events both national and international, available to the widest possible audience free-to-air. This is borne out by the wide range of quality sport that can be seen this summer.”