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End of an era: John Giles to leave RTÉ football panel after Euro 2016

The former Ireland boss is to leave his role as ‘Senior Analyst.’

Updated 13.35

JOHN GILES IS to leave his role as an analyst with RTÉ after Euro 2016.

The broadcaster’s beloved ‘Senior Analyst’, however, is not ready to hang up his punditry hat just yet, confirming he has no plans to retire once the tournament is over.

The 75-year old said, in a statement to The Herald:

“I’ve been approached recently about my position with RTE after the Euros and I want to clear up any speculation.

“In my negotiations with RTE Head of Sport Ryle Nugent last year, he made it clear to me that this was to be the final year of my full-time engagement with RTE. He said that this was designed to allow him to continue the requirement to plan and prepare for the future.

This was perfectly understandable to me and I signed the contract which finishes after the Euro 2016 final in France in good faith. But I want to make it perfectly clear that I’m not retiring or even thinking about it.”

He will continue to work with the Herald as well as his regular slot on Newstalk’s Off the Ball.

His departure, however, ends a 31-year tenure with the state broadcaster after joining in 1985 when he retired from management.

RTÉ’s Head of Sport Ryle Nugent paid tribute to Giles and his “phenomenal” contribution.

“I can confirm that John Giles will be leaving us at the end of our Euro 2016 coverage this summer,” Nugent said in a statement.

John has been an integral and much-loved part of our soccer coverage for over 30 years as well as a respected ambassador for the Irish football family as a whole.

“The Republic of Ireland’s participation in this summer’s tournament and RTÉ Sport’s coverage is an apt occasion for John to bow out at the top and we wish him all the very best with his future endeavours.

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside John through some of the most thrilling times for Irish soccer and his contribution to our programming has been phenomenal.

– First published 10.07

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    Mute john
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:25 AM

    The way RTE are going he is better off, they wont be showing any sport in a few years, Premiership highlights program gone! Champions league on only one night out of the two a week, Euro championship to be split with TV3, 6 nations to go to TV3, European Rugby gone, a measly 1 hour highlights program on a Sunday for National league game. Then RTE say we covered X amount of hours on sport when thats made up of horse racing coverage where the majority of that is mindless chit chat !!! Ryle Nugent has done a terrible job since taking over!

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    Mute KevinMunster
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:48 AM

    Right wing agenda – privatise everything

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:49 PM

    eh? These are privately run events? Would you be happy to pay far more expensive TV license fees so RTE can compete with the sums being offered by private channels?

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Mar 25th 2016, 10:10 AM

    Gotta cut something to be able to fund the likes of Darcy and Marian Finucane

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    Mute Shane Finn
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    Mar 25th 2016, 3:25 PM

    The way Nugent is going he’ll put himself out of a job.

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    Mute Tommy D
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:21 AM

    A great career in commentary. It always hard to say goodbye but I think the time is right.

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    Mute Tomás Ó'Murchú
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    Mar 24th 2016, 11:32 AM

    The legendary panels are slowly but surely being broken up. It’s a shame, but nothing stays the same I guess.

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    Mute clive lewis
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    Mar 24th 2016, 2:47 PM

    How did Nugent land that job anyway ? What qualifications does he have ?

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:41 PM

    His mother was high up in Rte, thought everyone knew that

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Mar 25th 2016, 2:57 AM

    He has a degree in ballsology.

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:17 AM

    Let’s hope he takes dunphy with him.

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    Mute Adam
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    Mar 24th 2016, 11:08 AM

    It’s about time. Unfortunately gone too outdated of late, if I hear “when I played with Leeds in the 70s” one more time.. Really needs a freshen up that panel.

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    Mute dowthebow
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:26 AM

    One of the best and way ahead of his time. He Was doing video analysis way back for 88 and 90 and it was brilliant stuff, but rte couldn’t get roisin to roll it at the right time. Sadly the game and the technology has passed him out since.

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    Mute Patrick Lawlor
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    Mar 24th 2016, 11:38 AM

    Still knows the game and is an Irish footballing legend unlike the fool who unfortunately politics and Ryle Nugent might put in his place, richie sadlier who did nothing of note in the game. Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton or Kenny Cunninghan all would be better options then Sadlier but then that wouldn’t be to difficult in my opinion.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:45 PM

    Sadlier is extremely annoying and is just a pretty boy spoofer

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    Mute Andrew Martin Farrell
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    Mar 24th 2016, 11:21 PM

    You think Sadlier is a pretty boy?

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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:13 AM

    At least he won’t have to keep reminding himself that Daragh Moloney’s name isn’t Bill. Thanks for all the analysis John.

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    Mute Dan
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    Mar 24th 2016, 7:12 PM

    Statement makes it sound like he doesn’t want to leave an Nugent is pushing him out.

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    Mute moreshitetalk
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    Mar 24th 2016, 9:54 PM

    Fukcing Nugent…useless. Johnny could replace him doing the rugby commentary and the world would be a better place

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    Mute Shane Donnelly
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:09 PM

    Being pushed out by Ryle Nugent going by the quotes given here. Sad state of affairs this. Ryle Nugent ushering the great Johnny Giles out of our national broadcaster. If they have someone competent and intelligent enough with equal or better knowledge of the game to replace Giles, I’m yet to see or hear him or her on RTE. Ryle was nowhere near being a good commentator at football or rugby (I know that Giles is an Analyst… “Senior Analyst”) yet that doesn’t mean that he can’t run the department but this is a very odd decision, very odd. Giles obviously wants to continue and I haven’t seen his standards slipping. Shockingly poor decision in my book as Johnny might say.

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    Mute Michael McLoughlin
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    Mar 25th 2016, 5:41 AM

    Good man Giles, he has honesty of effort

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    Mute frank maher
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    Mar 25th 2016, 1:14 AM

    Good thing too He makes 1 point in every program then spends the rest of the program saying the same thing overs and over again.

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    Mute Tommy Doran
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    Mar 24th 2016, 9:34 PM

    There is a god

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Mar 24th 2016, 10:47 PM

    And his name is John Giles

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    Mute Ken Hickey
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    Mar 25th 2016, 6:34 AM

    Good riddance. He’s an illinformed dinosaur.

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    Mute joe coleman
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    Mar 25th 2016, 9:41 AM

    Great news.

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