O'Herlihy, who has hosted RTE's coverage of the Premiership since its inception six years ago, made the choice for what he described as "lifestyle reasons".

"Basically I wanted more time for myself and my family, it's as simple as that, " said O'Herlihy. "It was my choice completely and RTE were very sympathetic and I just felt that it was something that I have now done for long enough and it's about time I freed up weekends and smelt the roses. But I'll be far from off the air completely as I'll continue to host Champions League coverage midweek, soccer internationals and there are some other things in the pipeline."

As well as his retained soccer duties, O'Herlihy is set to anchor RTE's Ryder Cup coverage next month and is believed to be in talks with Head of Sport Glen Killane about a possible sport talk show in the near future.

O'Herlihy . . . now 67 . . . is also set to sign a new contract that will see him continue at RTE until 2009.