Former RTÉ athletics commentator Tony O’Donoghue died of cancer. His death was made public on February 27, 2023. He was aged 86.
In 2011, Donoghue had a cancerous tumor removed from his neck and underwent radiation and chemotherapy.
Donoghue who used to be an athlete before he retired, spent 4 decades working for RTÉ as a commentator, during which he covered the Olympics from Munich 1972 to the London Games in 2012.
Donoghue who hails from Ireland, is remembered for adding colour to various sporting moments in Ireland.
Tribute for the late icon has poured in from across the globe on social media.
George Hamilton wrote: “A genial colleague, a true gentleman who wore his sporting and historical knowledge lightly, and above all else, the most wonderful friend. So sorry for his treasured family.”
Donoghue is survived by his wife, Sarah Symmons, and two children – Aoife and Tim.
Who Was Tony O. Donoghue?
Tony O’Donoghue was an Irish sports commentator, and TV cum radio sportscaster for RTÉ in Ireland.
Donoghue graduated from the University College Cork, where he studied history and economics.
He is famous for being a correspondent on “Republic of Ireland, League of Ireland, UEFA Champions League and English Premier League games, and sometimes played host on RTÉ’s Monday Night Soccer programme.”
Highlights of Donoghue’s career include covering the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the 1996 Atlanta, the year 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens.
Donoghue conducted interviews for the likes of Martin O’Neill during the 2016–2017 qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
In 2005, Donoghue published his book ‘Irish Championship Athletics 1873-1914′.