RTÉ primed for fun and games at Euro 2012

At yesterday’s launch of RTÉ’s Euro 2012 coverage, Eamon Dunphy looked out from the top table at a packed room of journalists, photographers and camera crews, and couldn’t help remarking with a grin: “I reckon that there are more people in this room than were watching when John Giles and myself first worked together on RTÉ in 1978.”

One measure of the huge distance from that long ago World Cup to Euro 2012 could be gleaned by simply looking back at the extended line-up of familiar faces on show which, alongside Dunphy and Giles and yesterday’s master of ceremonies Darragh Maloney, included Liam Brady, Kenny Cunningham, Richie Sadlier and Bill O’ Herlihy, all of whom — with the addition of Didi Hamman — will be key players for Montrose throughout the tournament.

An indication of how lively panel discussions should prove was evident when a robust exchange of views about Ireland’s style of play broke out between Kenny Cunningham and John Giles.

“Yes, I expect it will be hot and heavy at times,” Liam Brady remarked afterwards with a smile.

RTÉ will be covering all 31 games in the finals, providing viewers with 100 hours of football from Poland and Ukraine. On the ground, the live action will be covered by co-commentators Ray Houghton, Ronnie Whelan, Trevor Steven and Brian Kerr working with George Hamilton, Peter Collins, Stephen Alkin and Ger Canning. RTÉ radio will also be carrying extensive coverage across a range of programmes.