PHILIP GREENE, the former RTÉ sports commentator and head of its radio sports department died yesterday morning at St Colmcille’s hospital, Loughlinstown. He was 90.
Born in the Broadstone in Dublin, Greene came to prominence with Radio Éireann in the 1940s and delivered his first live commentary on Ireland’s 1-0 defeat by Argentina at Dalymount Park in 1951.
He went on to cover countless international games, first on radio then on television and his voice became synonymous with the broadcaster’s coverage of the game. Over the years many listeners also came to closely associate him with Shamrock Rovers, the club he grew increasingly passionate about despite having initially been brought along to see Bohemians play as a child by his father.
He was at various times the sports editor of Radio Éireann, the editor, producer and presenter of the station's Sports Stadiumprogramme and he covered many international events including the European Athletics Championships in Stockholm in 1956 and the Munich Olympics in 1972.
Still, it was his work on football up until his retirement from RTÉ in 1985 for which he will be best remembered as FAI chief executive, John Delaney said last night.
“Philip was a gentle man and true professional and he will be missed by everyone in the football family,” he said. “Irish football fans will remember him fondly as the medium for international matches on Wednesday afternoons and for League of Ireland matches on Sundays . . .”
He is survived by his wife Patricia, his sons Philip and Eoin and daughters Rhona and Edeana.
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