RTE sports presenter Marie Crowe has told of her shock when former pundit Pat Spillane announced he was quitting The Sunday Game.
And Marie admitted she finds it saddening seeing some of her sporting heroes getting older and retiring.
But the Game On presenter said she couldn’t see herself in her career for as long as Pat did.
The former Kerry footballer was a panellist on the popular sports show for 30 years before he stepped down, admitting at the time he wasn’t enjoying it. Des Cahill announced on Monday he would also be stepping down from the programme after 15 seasons.
Des will now take up the hot seat on both Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
But Marie said Pat’s departure was a “big loss” to broadcasting.
She said: “It was a shock. I suppose it probably shouldn’t have been because he’s been around for a long time and eventually people do move on and they want to do different things but yeah it was a huge shock. I just think that he is great. I really enjoy him.
“I think he is going to be a big loss to broadcasting and as well, I grew up watching The Sunday Game and you grow up watching these people and listening to them and they become such a big part of your life.”
She admitted it was difficult to see sporting legends retiring or moving on and seeing them getting older.
“You hear so much about them that it is difficult to see them move on in a retirement capacity but it’s like they’re at that age now.”
She recalled the death of Dublin GAA legend Brian Mullins being a “huge shock” – saying she thought he was a “giant of a man”.
“That was a huge shock. They are all of that generation too which is pretty frightening like you’re losing people of that generation from life.
"My dad and Brian were in the same class in college, so Brian used to be in our house in Clare when we were kids and I remember him being this absolute giant of a man and when I moved to Dublin, anytime I met him he was so good and kind. He always gave me time with interviews.
“You always want to remember them as being those giants of men footballers, those heroes… but then all of a sudden they’re not and it is time to move on.”
But Marie admitted she doesn’t think she’ll go the distance like her sporting heroes did, admitting she loves spending time with her children and finds it hard having to go to work when they have to play matches.
“I love watching my children play matches so I love work but I equally love going off on a Saturday or a Sunday to watch my kids play their games so I’m quite content with having a family life as well.
“Career is important to me but nothing is more important to me than the boys and what they’re doing and them wanting me around.
“I probably wouldn’t have said that before I had them but it is just a different perspective now. I never thought I would be that person that would be so keen to spend so much time with them… they all play football and I hate when they’re playing matches and I have to go to work.
“That’s the only hard part I find about the job. They’re at the age now where they are all going off doing their GAA matches…I appreciate my time with them and my time with family as much as I do working. I have value on both of them too so when I get to that age, I’d say I would be happy enough to be pushing a buggy with a few grandchildren heading into Croke Park.”
The mum-of-three was speaking at the launch of the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, one of Ireland’s leading primary school nutrition programmes.
The club has issued a call for schools to register as soon as possible as places quickly fill up.
Now in its tenth year, the programme offers children the opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork and communication skills, all while learning to change their eating habits for the better.
To-date, almost 300,000 pupils across the island of Ireland have taken part in the programme, and teachers are being encouraged to sign up for this year’s intake.
The school lunch box should provide about 25% - 35% of a child’s energy and nutrient needs. Yet studies have shown that packed lunches are deficient in “healthy” foods and tend to be high in sugar, saturated fat and salt, while low on starchy foods and fibre.”
Healthy Heroes Lunch Club Ambassador Marie knows all too well the importance of a healthy school lunch.
She said: “As a mum of three boys I am acutely aware of how difficult it can sometimes be to make sure they head out the door with a healthy lunchbox every day. The Healthy Heroes Lunch Club programme is fantastic as it educates both children and adults on the best options that offer both great taste and nutritional value.
“It also fosters a lovely sense of mentorship with those children in fifth and sixth class as they play such a crucial part in helping younger students with the programme. “
For more information on how schools can get involved in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, visit www.healthyheroes.ie or email healthyheroes@realnation.ie.
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