Jacqui picks up latest award

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Sports broadcaster and presenter of ‘The Sunday Game’ Jacqui Hurley has been named Person of the Month to mark her sports broadcasting career over the years on radio and TV.

Jacqui hails from Ballinhassig and made headlines in 2009 as the first ever female anchor of ‘Sunday Sport’ on Radio One.

She also anchors RTE’s rugby coverage on TV and has presented all the major sporting events, including the Olympics, World Cups, the Euros and multiple All Ireland finals.

She has now taken over as presenter of ‘The Sunday Game’ on television, something she notes was a childhood dream.

“It’s an absolute privilege to take on such an iconic role and follow in the footsteps of some incredible broadcasters,” said Jacqui.

Dáithí O' Sé, presenter of ‘The Today Show’, said “‘The Sunday Game’ is one of those iconic shows like ‘The Late Late Show’. I would imagine that every presenter, whether you’re sports or not, would like to take it on. She is the right person for the job.”

Jacqui is a champion of gender equality in sport and has been part of an initiative which aims to change the perception of women’s sport in Ireland.

She has published two children’s books in her Girls Play Too series, which share the sports stories of some of Ireland’s top female athletes.

She is an athlete herself, having represented Ireland in basketball and played camogie for Cork. She is also a keen golfer currently.

Jacqui’s name now goes forward, with the other Cork Persons of the Month selected this year, for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at a gala awards lunch to be held at The Metropole Hotel on 26 January 2024.