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Sport

15th Oct 2018

Ryle Nugent makes the move to Channel 4 to commentate on Ireland’s Autumn internationals

Paul Moore

Ryle Nugent

RTÉ’s former Head of Sport has a new employer.

There are certain pieces of commentary that have become embedded in the psyche of every Irish sports fan.

“A nation holds its breath,” as David O’Leary stepped up to take the penalty v Romania in Italia ’90.

“Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation,” is one of those incredible Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh moments that defined his wonderful ability behind a microphone.

For Ryle Nugent, he’ll be remembered fondly for screaming ‘Tommy Booooooooooooooweeeeeee!’ into the microphone as the Monaghan man crossed the whitewash to score that famous try in the Grand Slam decider against Wales in 2009.

After announcing his decision to stand down as RTÉ’s Head of Sport seven months ago, Nugent will now be working with Channel 4 on their coverage of Ireland’s autumn internationals.

As you may know, the UK broadcaster has secured the rights to Ireland’s autumn rugby internationals until 2022.

The Grand Slam winners take will have four test matches in November 2018, including an opening fixture against Six Nations rivals Italy in Chicago on 3 November, followed by clashes with Argentina (10 November), New Zealand (17 November) and the USA (24 November).

In a strange act of serendipity, Nugent will have former Irish captain Jamie Heaslip next to him on co-commentary duties – Heaslip retired from rugby on the exact same day that Nugent left RTÉ.

When he departed RTÉ, Nugent released a statement which said: “After eight years as Group Head of RTÉ Sport, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to move on to take up new challenges. The last eight years as Group Head have been a genuine privilege and the most rewarding of my career, but as we head into what would be my ninth season at the helm, ninth GAA Championships and third World Cup, I feel it’s time to hand the baton on.”

RTÉ have since replaced Nugent with Declan McBennett as the station’s Group Head of Sport.

As for his new position, we wish Ryle the very best of luck and hope that he’s behind the microphone on many more memorable moments for the boys in green.