Imagine stepping into the shoes of a legend – the pressure! That's exactly what Kieran Cuddihy is facing as he takes over RTÉ's Liveline from the iconic Joe Duffy. But here's the kicker: even before his first show, Duffy himself delivered a surprise message, offering both support and a playful warning. What could he possibly say? Let's dive in.
Kieran Cuddihy, a seasoned broadcaster at 47, is set to make his Liveline debut this Monday afternoon. He's stepping into a role previously held by Joe Duffy for an impressive 27 years, inheriting a show known for its lively debates and real-life stories from everyday Irish people. This is no small task! He will be occupying the weekday lunchtime slot.
Cuddihy's journey to Liveline hasn't been without its twists. He previously hosted The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk and The Tonight Show on Virgin Media. He even had a scheduled appearance on The Late Late Show last month to talk about his new role, but contract complications with Newstalk caused it to be pulled at the last minute. Talk about a dramatic start!
Returning to The Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty, Cuddihy shared his excitement about the new position and the warm reception he's received from the public. "It's almost life affirming when people come up to you on the street and tell you how delighted they are,” he said. It seems the Irish public is eager to hear what he brings to the table.
The Kilkenny native also injected some humor into the conversation, promising to dedicate a significant portion of his show to his home county's beloved sport: hurling. "I will be talking about Kilkenny hurling. I will be talking about club hurling. I'll be talking about coaching under-10s Camogie and under-12s hurling,” he joked, adding that he'll even discuss his commute from Kilkenny and his love for hurling podcasts. This is where it gets a bit controversial... Will focusing on local interests alienate listeners from other parts of Ireland? What do you think?
He also shared a funny story about getting fired from a construction job in Canada during the 2009 financial crisis. He and his colleagues got carried away watching World Cup semi-finals at an early-morning pub. They attempted to fraudulently claim overtime, which led to their swift dismissal. A cautionary tale about mixing work and pleasure! And this is the part most people miss: it highlights Cuddihy's ability to connect with audiences through relatable, humorous anecdotes.
But the biggest surprise came at the end of the interview. Patrick Kielty revealed a pre-recorded message from Joe Duffy himself.
"Hello, good afternoon and you're very welcome to… Kieran Cuddihy! Kieran! Don’t talk to Joe, now, just listen to Joe! Will you please just listen to Joe? Remember, the first 27 years are the hardest. If the phone isn't ringing you're doing something wrong and if it is ringing, you're doing something really wrong."
Duffy continued, "I've heard great feedback already from my ex-colleagues in RTÉ about your enthusiasm, your ability, your intelligence, and, by the way, your good looks - and that's just from the fellas! The women think you’re gorgeous as well."
He concluded with words of encouragement: "So best of luck old pal, you’ll be brilliant. And in the great tradition of Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Marian, the great great broadcasters – break a leg old pal, break a leg, you’ll be brilliant!"
So, Kieran Cuddihy is embarking on a new chapter, armed with the blessing (and humorous advice) of his predecessor. Will he successfully fill Joe Duffy's shoes? Will he bring a fresh perspective to Liveline while honoring its legacy? And perhaps most importantly, how much will he really talk about Kilkenny hurling? Let us know what you think in the comments below! Do you think a new voice is exactly what Liveline needs, or should some things just remain the same?
