RTÉ Television will broadcast forty one games from the World Cup Finals in Italy.
The RTÉ television schedule for the 1990 World Cup is unveiled at the Bord Gás headquarters in D’Olier Street, Dublin.
RTÉ will broadcasting 41 matches, more than either BBC or ITV. Bord Gás is providing sponsorship to enhance the coverage which will cost in the region of one million pounds.
The World Cup matches are scattered over Italy and the RTÉ highlights are the Ireland versus England match in Cagliari on 11 June, Ireland versus Egypt in Palermo on 17 June and Ireland versus Holland in Palermo on 21 June, as well as the quarter final, semi final and final matches.
These will be broadcast on Network 2, leaving RTÉ One free for the half dozen or so not caught up in the excitement of cheering on the home side.
RTÉ executive producer John O’Brien says providing the coverage will be a major organisational and technical challenge but the level of courage matches the interest in the tournament.
We're prepared, if it comes to it, to follow the team all the way to the final.
Bill O'Herlihy will be the presenter and anchorman for RTÉ Television's 1990 World Cup programme 'Italia '90'. It will be his fifth World Cup Finals but this one is more significant due to the Republic of Ireland’s participation. Bill O'Herlihy believes that while he is anchoring the chat, the conversation and the analysis,
I think the most important thing is to have a bit of fun.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 April 1990. The reporter is Tom Kelly.
