Ardiles the biggest signing as RTÉ name World Cup coverage squad

WORLD CUP winner Ossie Ardiles is one of three new faces on the RTÉ Sport team for their extensive coverage of this summer’s tournament in South Africa.

Ireland defender Kevin Kilbane and former Germany and Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann are the other two debutants.

Liam Brady returns to the studio with his old sparring partners for the first time since he stepped down from his role as Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant coach.

Richie Sadlier and Denis Irwin will also keep the usual suspects of John Giles, Eamonn Dunphy, Graeme Souness and Ronnie Whelan company throughout coverage.

In total, the station will broadcast, 56 of the 64 games from South Africa, while there will be highlights of the other eight.

The popular Après Match team is also back onside for the much-anticipated tournament.

Ryle Nugent, Deputy Head of Sport, RTÉ Television said: “RTÉ is committed to bringing the best of international and national sporting events to the Irish public free-to-air.

“The huge success of the previous World Cup in 2006 and Euro 2008 with Irish audiences demonstrates the level of interest viewers have in seeing the best soccer action in the world and is a testament to the unique perspective and expert analysis that our panel bring, which is unrivalled by any other broadcaster.”