Jacqui Hurley has announced her departure from RTÉ Radio One’s Sunday Sport, after 14 years.
The popular presenter shared the news in a statement on Twitter, and explained her “incredibly difficult” decision to leave the show.
“After 14 years presenting Sunday Sport, this Sunday will be my last show,” she wrote.
Bit of news…this Sunday will be my last Sunday Sport show on @RTERadio1 . I have loved every minute of my 14 years on the show & I’ll seriously miss the craic with the gang at matches on a Sunday afternoon. Hopefully I can come back someday! For now though, you’ll find me on 📺! pic.twitter.com/JAynKvJfLS
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) January 5, 2023
“Making the decision to step away from doing something I love has been incredibly difficult, but with all my other work commitments in television and the need to also have some precious family time, something just had to give.”
“Being given the opportunity to present such an iconic programme for so many years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and I’m forever grateful to Paddy Glackin and Glen Killane for taking a chance all those years ago on a young broadcaster who really didn’t know what she was doing,” Jacqui continued.
“From the first five years of learning everything I know from the master, Con Murphy, to the guts of the last decade sitting beside my longtime friend Darren Frehil, I have literally lived the dream, presenting matches all over the country, close to 60 All Ireland Finals, international matches, the Olympics and beyond. There were so many special days and memories I’ll cherish for a long time.”
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“Being the first ever woman to present the show is really something I’ve only come to appreciate fully in recent years. Knowing I’ll be the first of many is something to be even more proud of.”
Jacqui went on to thank those who have contributed to the show over the years, and teased a possible return to the airwaves.
“I have loved every minute of my 14 years on the show and I’ll seriously miss the craic with gang at matches on a Sunday afternoon,” she added.
“Hopefully I can come back someday! For now though, you’ll find me on the telly!”
