Spillane demoted

[Maguire01]

From HoganStand:

Spillane steps down from Sunday Game anchor role
05 April 2009

Pat Spillane will return to duty as a pundit on this season's Sunday Games programme after RTE announced the program will have a new presenter in 2009.

The eight time All-Ireland winners acted as programme host for the past four years after Michael Lyster's stood down from the role on the highlights programme.

Spillane was a hugely successful analyst on the show prior to taking over the lead role and will return as a pundit when the show resumes in May.

RTE will announce this coming week who the new presenter is, with the names of Michael Lyster, Joanne Cantwell, Dara O Cinneide and Darragh Maloney already linked with the job.

Did he step, or was he given a nudge?

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

TBTF

[Jinxy]

This better be for real.

[ziggysego]

Brilliant! Dubfella to replace him

[mountainboii]

I hope Lyster comes back to do it.

[ziggysego]

RTE Aertel has confirmed it, saying the new presenter will be announced next week.

[RedandGreenSniper]

I hope O Cinneide gets it, I reckon he'd be superb

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Wouldn't say its really a demotion - just a more sensible use of their pundits by RTÉ. The criticism Spillane takes on here is a bit over the top at times (a bit like his punditry). Darragh Maloney could be very good.

[gorm agus bui]

Was on the teletext earlier that Stephen Watson is in linr for it

[Barney]

Please, somebody don't decide that Joanne Cantwell would be an able presenter.

Follow the lead of the soccer and rugby productions. A good and consistent blend is needed. No need for rotating panels of insipid bimbo-like "yes" men. Liven it up, more decent highlight packages, but with good discussion.

[FermPundit]

I hope O Cinneide gets it, I reckon he'd be superb

O'Cinneide is a good shout

[Hardy]

I'm going out for a few pints to celebrate.

Don't spoil it now by making it Cantwell or Lyster.

[thebandit]

I think O'Cinnéide would be good.... I'll bet Des Cahill could be in the running....

[under the bar]

Did he step, or was he given a nudge?

Officially it's stepped down, but there's rumours that photos of him "worrying" a sheep have surfaced....

[Tony Baloney]

Dare I say......Pat Kenny?

Kenny and Spillane are doing a straight swap. Brush Shiels is replacing Brolly.