George Hamilton

Scores have been a key element of George Hamilton's experience for as long as he can remember. Those with the crotchets and quavers came first, when he clambered up on the piano stool to begin his musical studies at the age of six. Back-of-the-net type scores followed as his sporting education expanded to take in soccer. And his ability with his left foot led to many a point being converted from his position as a Rugby full back. Through several years as principal cellist with the orchestra at Methody (the Methodist College) in Belfast, his home town, his musical tastes expanded, and when the study of German and French at Queen's University led to a year in the Ruhr, he'd found the perfect mix - the location, the language, the music - and sport. Bach and Beethoven, Brahms and Bruckner, not to mention Borussia Mönchengladbach!

After graduation, it was either play or get paid - familiar dilemma, for sure - though in George's case, his career developed into a labour of love. A sports commentator for thirty years, he spent eight of those with the BBC in Belfast and London, before teaming up with RTÉ.

Sport and music remain his passions. He goes walking with golf clubs, tries to keep tennis balls inside the tramlines, listens to all sorts of music, and still plays the piano. Quieter moments he prefers to spend with a good book - history, biography, fiction.

Athens was George's seventh Olympics; he's also covered seven of soccer's World Cups. And since the autumn of 2003, he's been happily ensconced in RTÉ lyric fm's Saturday morning schedule, with two hours of The Hamilton Scores, where his flights of musical fancy are given full rein.

Hear George on:
The Hamilton Scores: Saturdays, 9.30am-12pm
Click here for programme website