Last call: Irish legend Dessie Scahill's microphone to fall silent next month

Saturday's Classic card at the Curragh will constitute the end of an era as the man synonymous with some of the most famous moments in Irish racing will commentate on his last Irish Derby.

Dessie Scahill, whose distinctive tones have emanated from the commentary box for almost half a century, will hang up his microphone next month after his contract was not renewed by the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), a move about which the legendary race-caller is philosophical.

"It was very simple," Scahill explained. "My contract ends on July 26th and that was it. There was no further discussion and I have to take it at face value that the end is the end. I didn't fight the corner and there was nothing on offer."

Scahill, who turns 70 next month, has not missed a commentary on the Irish Derby since his first in 1971 and feels he still has another few years of service left to offer. However, he has no complaints about the decision.

Dessie Scahill (left) interviews Jim Bolger at Naas last yearCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: "To be honest, I'm in good shape and no different than I was five years ago. I was never going to go on forever, but I would have been happy to go on for another bit, even a reduced campaign or something like that."

He added: "I might as well bite the bullet now and just go with it though. I've had a good innings and 47 years is a long time – I have no complaints."

With Scahill's departure comes an opportunity for another commentator to take the lead role in Irish race-calling, with Jerry Hannon possibly the front-runner, having honed his craft alongside Scahill, the man who first inspired him.

Peter O'Hehir is another long-standing force in Irish racing commentating, while At The Races broadcaster Gary O'Brien's voice was heard from the commentary box at Fairyhouse this month when overseeing a mile-and-a-half handicap.

Gary O'Brien commentating at Fairyhouse this monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Although it is understood plans have yet to be finalised, O'Brien, whose current employer has lost the rights to broadcast Irish racing from January 1, 2019, is expected to feature on the post-Scahill schedule.

After his recent taster, Fairyhouse tweeted: "It was planned to give Gary O'Brien the sixth race to commentate tonight & hopefully we will be hearing more race commentaries from the Voice of Ireland."

AIR was contacted for comment on Monday but chief executive Paddy Walsh was unavailable.

Regarding plans for life after commentating, Scahill explained: "I'll be finishing up before Galway. It'll take a while to adjust and there's only so much golf I can play! Nobody is irreplaceable, as plenty of top people in the business have discovered."

"It's always exciting to keep going and the big days are brilliant," he continued, "I've been at it so long that people identify me with various moments in racing, which is special."

Speaking of whom he expects to be fighting out the finish in his final call of Ireland's Dubai Duty Free-backed premier Classic, Scahill said: "Saxon Warrior was disappointing last time and maybe the Curragh might suit him better, but I think Mark Johnston's Dee Ex Bee, who was second at Epsom, could be hard to beat."

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