The legendary broadcaster presented his RTÉ football broadcast tonight.
RTÉ panellists Eamon Dunphy, John Giles and Liam Brady all paid tribute to the Corkman who retires 49 years after his first RTÉ broadcast.
“The first thing I’d say is that I hope he enjoys his retirement and I wish him well and good health and I’d like to thank him for all the great memories over the years,” said Giles.
“Bill, like all people at the top of their game, made it look easy and it’s anything but easy.”
Eamon Dunphy, who was responsible for getting on Giles on board for the 1978 World Cup – their first as a team – added, “Bill is a fantastic broadcaster, one of the greats, he makes it look easy which, of course, it isn’t. His great skill is his ability to listen and to decide what’s important and what’s not. He was our team captain and we will miss him terribly.”
Liam Brady had this to say: “He was always a great team manager, that’s what we are, a team, and Bill managed us very well. He particularly looked after me as it was my first gig, John and Eamon were established and I had never done it before. He looked after me and I’m going to miss him.”
Finally, the man himself insisted that he leaves on good terms.
“I’ve had a fantastic 49 years in RTÉ and been part and parcel in a very minor way in the development of television in terms of news features, current affairs and sport, and I leave with no regrets and very many happy memories,” concluded Billo.
