Fresh from her opening stint presenting Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1, Jacqui Hurley spoke to RTÉ.ie's James McMahon.
The Cork-born presenter has packed much into her broadcasting career, including a spell as an intern with CBS Television in the United States. Prior to joining RTÉ in 2006, she worked in local radio. Along with Con Murphy, she now co-hosts the revamped Sunday Sport.
James McMahon: What is your earliest sporting memory?
Jacqui Hurley: I grew up in Australia, where my dad was manager of the Irish club in Canberra. For all the Irish soccer internationals, I can remember all the ex-pats being in the club. Of course it was the 1980s and Ireland was in the pits – a bit like it is now. My earliest sporting memory was around then and it was the Holland match in Euro '88. I was only four at the time.
JM: You played basketball for Ireland and camogie for Cork. Now, I want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – How good were you?
JH: Maybe in my youth I had greater ability with regard to both sports. Unfortunately I picked up a few injuries along the way. At the moment I'm probably better at camogie than I am at basketball, and if I really pushed myself at camogie I could make junior county standard. Of course with work and all that, it is hard to make the commitment, so I am happy at the level I'm playing at at the moment – which is for a club side in Portobello. It's an outfit comprising country people living in Dublin, though we do accept people from the big smoke. They have nothing to fear! A lot of the girls have already played inter-county camogie, so I'm not biased in saying that the standard we play at is quite high. The season is about to start shortly which is handy because the basketball season with Meteors in Sandyford is coming to an end. Portobello play their home matches in the Phoenix Park, and I forgot to mention that I play football too.
JM: You've recently taken on a management role with the Irish U-16 Girls Basketball team. In terms of management style, who are you closer to – Mickey Harte or Jose Mourinho?
JH: Well, I have a good relationship with the players, so I would say I’m probably closer to Mickey Harte. Because the girls are so young, you really can get a chance to mould them as players and see them develop. From a coaching point of view, I find that very satisfying. Indeed, the more I’m with the squad, the more I feel like a 16-year-old again. That can’t be a bad thing!
JM: Can you see a resolution of the Cork hurling dispute before the start of the Championship?
JH: No. I would love to say yes, as I am a Cork fan to the core. However, I think both parties have gone too far down the road in opposite directions and neither of them look like they’re willing to turn back and offer some sort of compromise. It's a real pity!
JM: What added dimension does the combination of Jacqui Hurley and Con Murphy bring to sports broadcasting in Ireland?
JH: The idea of a duo presenting the flagship sports programmes at the weekend on RTÉ Radio 1 is a departure, but it was something the bosses were willing to try out. Con is such an experienced broadcaster, with a vast knowledge of all sports, and with my interest in minority sports I think both of us bring something different to the table, yet I would like to think it all adds up to something new and dynamic for the listener. I know that people have mentioned the age difference between us, but I think that has no relevance whatsoever. It's amazing the thoughts that enter the minds of some! Both Con and I are sport fanatics, yet we both realise that sport should also be fun. We’re not afraid to poke fun at each other, and seek out the often humorous side of what happens on the pitch. I think it’s good that RTÉ are now embracing that type of exchange. I know friends of mine who would have felt distanced from what RTÉ Radio produces. Maybe they felt it was old hat and all that! Okay, the sports fanatics will tune in, but I think in light of increased competition, we need to target the audience with a passing interest in sport. I think such a grouping represents a large constituency and it’s our aim that the new Sunday Sport will be more accessible to such a wider audience.
JM: Can the Republic of Ireland qualify for the 2010 World Cup?
JH: I think they can. In fact I am more confident now than I was at this stage of the qualifying for the 2006 event. Much and all as I would like to see Stephen Ireland coming back, I think we can get there without him. It may not be pretty, however.
JM: What is your opinion of the RTE Sport website?
JH: I like it. In the last two years or so it really has upped its game - if you’ll excuse the pun! When you hear a sports story on the radio, I think now more than ever before, that same story is instantaneously up on the site with the added on video and audio clips. That’s what users expect and when I talk to friends of mine in America and Australia, who seek out Irish sports stories, the feedback is generally positive.
JM: How did you find your time working with CBS in Mississippi?
JH: I loved it. Hand on heart, I would have to say it was the best experience I ever had in my entire life. I got the job through an uncle of mine who was working there. He spoke to the powers-that-be and mentioned his niece was really keen to work in sports broadcasting. And so during my third year in college, as part of my internship, I got the opportunity to work for CBS. My stay was initially meant to be eight months, but I think they liked what I was doing and so I stayed for the full year. Prior to going over there, I had this dream that I wanted to work in sport, but the dream became reality as soon as I started. I covered so many different sports which was brilliant.
JM: Can Barack Obama make it happen?
JH: Yes. He is a tremendous speaker with a great sense of vision. I think he is the right person for America at this time.
JM: Which team do you think will win this season’s League of Ireland Premier Division title? 
JH: It will be hard to bet against Bohemians again. I know the financial situation will have an impact on teams, with some having to go part-time, but at this stage I think Bohs are best equipped to do it again.
JM: Did Robbie Keane get a raw deal at Liverpool?
JH: Absolutely. I really would have liked things to have worked out for him at Liverpool, seeing that Robbie is such a fan of the club. Unfortunately, Rafael Benitez just didn't fancy him and it's now quite clear that the manager never wanted him at Anfield in the first place. It's a pity because Robbie may never get a chance to play Champions League football again. By the way, I am a Liverpool fan.
JM: Do you prefer Coca-Cola out of a bottle or a can?
JH: I'm not really a Coke fan; I much prefer Diet Coke. In saying that I have a preference for Cola out of a can. It stays colder for longer.
JM: Can any county stop the Kilkenny hurlers regaining the All-Ireland in 2009?
JH: I don't think so. If I had to put my money on any team that could upset the Cats it would be Galway. Tipperary are also worth considering. Unfortunately Cork don’t look like they are going to do anything this year, given the current situation.
JM: You are the presenter of a chat show – ‘Hurley Tonight’. You have the chance to pick a sportsperson, a singer and an actor as the guests for your first show. Who would they be?
JH: Actor: Cameron Diaz. I think she is such a natural performer.
Sportsperson: Tiger Woods. I admire him for his drive – that lust to for continued improvement. Singer: Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20.
JM: Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer?
JH: Roger Federer. Every girl likes a good-looking champion, and while Federer would not be considered handsome, he comes across as a gentleman. After he lost to Nadal in Australia, he cried, and that’s the kind of thing some women like, insofar that you want to give him a hug. If Nadal cried, the reaction would be different. He just wouldn’t evoke that much sympathy. That’s my opinion anyway!
JM: Al Pacino or Robert De Niro?
JH: Probably De Niro. He is more comfortable straddling between comedy and serious roles. I see Pacino more as the bad guy and I think he’s been overacting in his roles of late.
JM: Gay Byrne or Michael Parkinson?
JH: Gay Byrne. Most people in Ireland would have grown up with Gay. He was such an accomplished broadcaster. Parky is not far behind, however.
JM: Did a sporting event ever make you cry?
JH: I nearly cried for Federer after he lost to Nadal in Australia. There were tears in my eyes for the Ireland v England rugby international at Croke Park in '07. So much emotion enveloped the stadium that day. After Rory McIlroy’s victory in Dubai, I also felt a lump in my throat. The beauty of sport is that it can be such a transcendental force – capable of impinging on the emotions of so many.
JM: What immortal words would find a place on your epitaph? JH: In my Leaving Cert year, the English teacher asked the class to come up with a phrase or sentence that would be their own personal motto. Mine read: The voice of one would never stretch far without the ears of many. I think that would be a fitting epitaph.
