Former RTÉ Sport commentator George Hamilton has been praised by many for speaking so eloquently on The Tommy Tiernan Show last weekend.
The Irish commentator is best known for lending his voice to various sports. The Women's World Cup and several men's Ireland games are two examples of this.
Hamilton, a Belfast native, has also covered over 11 Olympic Games in his career, though he was not present at the Paris Games. A true legend in Irish sport, and not many can dispute it.
The sports broadcasting icon now lends his commentary skills to Premier Sports while also still broadcasting on RTÉ's Lyric FM.
Hamilton sat down with Tommy Tiernan for a candid chat about his career. During the conversation, he shared how much he values affirmation, especially from his work on the radio. He admitted that his personality sometimes craves validation, even if it makes him feel vulnerable.
"When you're on the radio and you're getting texts and emails saying that was good, my wife Linda uses the word affirmation. My personality requires affirmation from time to time, and if that equates to vulnerability from time to time, so be it. That's how I would put it," said Hamilton on the show.
"Age is a number, and I just get on with it. We are where we are, and we just get on with it."
A National Treasure - George Hamilton! 😍#TommyTiernanShow | @Tommedian | @HamiltonRTE pic.twitter.com/odkucgvp9O
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 18, 2025
Hamilton also gave an insight into the famous "A nation holds its breath" line from Ireland's Italia '90 quarter-final penalty shootout with Romania. Hamilton's line has gone down as one of the most iconic Irish commentary lines of all time.
The legendary commentator explained what went through his mind and what possessed him to use the famous line.
“We had a situation where it’s a penalty shoot-out, and I’d been told that RTÉ 1 is showing the Six One News and they’re going to take the shoot-out, and we’re on Network 2, as it was called. So, it lodges in my head that there are only two channels in Ireland; everybody’s watching this.
"So, the four penalties are taken on the two sides, and now it’s four-all. Romania steps up to take the penalty, and Packie Bonner saves, so now it becomes if O’Leary can score this, it’s going to be a qualification for the quarter-finals.
“With all the mathematics of what’s going on and the emotion and the noise, you’re very worried that you’re going to get it wrong… So, the picture shows O’Leary going up with the ball, and the goalkeeper is ready. And David O’Leary puts the ball on the ground, and it’s a close-up of O’Leary, and I say, ‘This kick can decide it all.’ And it’s building the drama all the time.
“And just as he starts, prepares to take the kick, I say, ‘The nation holds its breath.’ And then he shoots, and he scores.”
Hamilton has been praised by many online for the interview. One user on X said, "George Hamilton is up there with Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh in his legendary status in commentary on @RTEsport. His voice was the soundtrack for our youth and our journey with Jack Charlton."
While another said, "George Hamilton is the voice of an entire generation of Irish sports fans. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I cannot remember an iconic moment he wasn't involved in. Thanks, George, for all the fantastic memories."
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