RTE sports host Evanne Ni Chuilinn has been tipped to replace Des Cahill as The Sunday Game host.
Cahill announced he was quitting the Rte programme after 15 seasons to take up a job on Sunday Sport alongside his Saturday Sport gig.
Since his announcement, Kilkenny native Ni Chuilinn has been installed as the 3/1 favourite by Ladbrokes.
Read More: Everyone says the same thing as Des Cahill steps down from The Sunday Game role on RTE
Fellow presenter Jacqui Hurley (4/1) has also rumoured for the job.
Hurley revealed previously that she was close to leaving RTE after being overlooked in favour of Joanne Cantwell for the Sunday Game Live show following Michael Lyster’s retirement in 2018.
Earlier this year she said: “When I was a kid, I really wanted The Sunday Game. That was probably what I grew up dreaming of, and then when it came to it, I didn't get it. It really broke my heart at the time.
"There were lots of tears. There was a lot of like, you know, 'This is not going to happen for you', and I was this close to leaving RTE."
Darragh Moloney, who is no stranger to the presenter’s chair, having been in the hot seat for numerous major sporting events, most recently RTE’s Euro 2020 and Olympics coverage, has also been popular with punters and can currently be backed at 7/1.
Damian Lawlor, a familiar voice on RTE’s Morning Ireland sports bulletins, is also chalked up at 7/1.
Other familiar faces from RTE Sport in the running include Clare McNamara at 8/1, Marty Morrissey at 10/1 as well as Darren Frehill and Marie Crowe, who are both sitting at 12/1.
Some punters think RTE might go a different route and choose a former inter-county sporting star to fill the role. Bernard Brogan is representing the former footballer contingent at 16/1, while Joe Canning is the preferred former hurler for the job at 18/1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “GAA fans have been in a frenzy since Des Cahill announced his departure from The Sunday Game. With everyone from Des’ fellow sports broadcasters, to former All-Star footballers and hurlers in the mix as potential replacements, RTE certainly has no shortage of talent to pick from.”
Des made the sudden announcement on Monday that he was quitting the flagship GAA show after 15 seasons as he said he “wants to go to live games again”.
In a statement, he said: "The reason I want a change is very straightforward - I want to go to live games again!
"It's been a privilege to host The Sunday Game for the past 15 seasons, but I miss the sense of fun and anticipation as you make your way to a match, the feeling of tension and excitement, the roar of the crowd.
"I can't wait to experience that again when I'm fronting Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport live from some of the most iconic venues in the country".
He continued: "I'm hugely grateful and in debt to the fantastic team on The Sunday Game, who work so hard to bring the programme to air every week throughout the Championship.
"I've no doubt that their passion and commitment to deliver for the audience will continue in the seasons ahead with a new presenter in the hot seat."
Joanne Cantwell will continue to anchor The Sunday Game Live. The new presenter of The Sunday Game will be announced in 2023.
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