EAMON DUNPHY HAS confirmed that he is leaving RTÉ.

The broadcaster and former footballer released a statement this afternoon saying that the World Cup was the end of his time with RTÉ:

“Two years ago, I decided not to renew my contract with RTÉ Sport. At the time, they prevailed upon me to stay and, in fact, offered me a rise, a small one, to do so. However, before the World Cup I told them this time, I would be leaving.

I intend to focus on my podcast The Stand which is flourishing and has had over 2.3 million listens since we started. That’s where my energy will now be devoted.

Dunphy’s time with the national broadcaster is best known for his football punditry, during which he often provoked discussion both in the studio and among the audience at home.

His controversial and abrasive style led him to move beyond sports punditry and into current affairs where he presented numerous radio programmes. Notably, he was the first host of Today FM’s The Last Word programme which remains on the air.

Dunphy also had a short-lived period as a chat show host when he presented The Dunphy Show on TV3, which aired in opposition to RTÉ’s The Late Late Show.

Throughout this period, Dunphy remained as a panellist on RTÉ and the broadcaster this afternoon thanked him for his contributions.

Head of sport at RTÉ Declan McBennett said:

We would like to thank Eamon for the immense contribution he has made to our sporting coverage across four decades.

“He was there for every key moment throughout that time as we were gripped by the exploits of our international side in particular. His insight and analysis informed, enthralled and entertained a nation. Eamon has now decided to pursue other avenues and we wish him every success in those ventures.”