MY
of modest exercise and has been a wonderful companion, making more sense than most of my two-legged friends! 6. Do you have any tips for staying positive during this time? I’ve lived on my own for a long time so the current regime of isolation hasn’t meant much of a change for me. I’m not a great fan of Zooming and things like that, but I like blethering away on the phone to my closest friends on a regular basis, and as long as my television is working, I’m happy.
JIM NEILLY MBE
7. What do you think is the best thing about living in Northern Ireland? Despite the frustrations of local politics, which I find annoying and embarrassing in equal measure, it’s a great place to live. Some of the scenery, especially the Antrim Coast, is spectacular and the sense of humour of the Northern Ireland people is second to none.
Sports commentator and broadcaster
8. What is your mantra or favourite quote that you live by? I’ve always related to what the great heavyweight champion Joe Frazier said in reference to the importance of roadwork as the basis of all preparation: ”If you cheat on that in the dark of the morning, you’ll get found out when the bright lights come on” 9. Who has been your biggest influence? My mother. Clever, witty, supportive and critical in a positive way. When I was piling on the pounds, she observed:”I notice that every stitch seems to be doing its duty!”
1. What do you love most about your job? At the end of my very first rugby international commentary in January 1979, the great Peter West, with whom I shared a microphone, said, “Its not a bad life, Jimbo. Here we are in the best seat in the house, talking about the game we love, and someone’s paying us to be here!” – Sums it up! 2. What has been your career highlight to date? Rugby-wise, Ireland’s Grand Slams in 2009 and 2018 and, of course, Ulster’s European Cup Final victory in 1999. Lots of great boxing memories, especially Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough winning Olympic gold and silver respectively within an hour in Barcelona in 1992. 3. What are your favourite hobbies/ activities outside of work? I’ve no particular hobby, but I’m an avid movie fan though that’s been totally missing from
my life for the last while. When asked which I prefer, rugby or boxing, I always say “Neither - what I’m really good at is going out for lunch or dinner”. I’ve missed the social contact with close friends over the past fifteen months or so but intend to make up for it! 4. What is your daily routine? Unless I’ve a reason to get up, I never set an alarm. Whenever I’ve a commentary to do at the weekend, I start thinking about it in the middle of the week and begin formal preparation on Thursdays. It probably seems very laborious, but I get a lot of satisfaction from going through the familiar routine and it wouldn’t be the same unless I put it all together even though my team notes are pretty indecipherable to anyone but me. 5. Do you have a specific fitness regime? It’s been a long time since I ran or went to the gym, but I walk every day with my dog who has been a godsend since I got her as a puppy seven years ago. She means that I get plenty 28
10. FAVOURITE Movie: The Last Picture Show directed by Peter Bogdanovich Band/Musician: Steely Dan/Bob Dylan Book: Cannery Row and it’s sequel Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck Restaurant: Mother India in Glasgow and Shu and James Street South in Belfast Holiday Destination: Loved the couple of visits I had to Barbados but getting to my little retreat in Donegal is hard to beat. Drink: A slow poured pint of Guinness/Jameson Crested Ten Meal: Rare Roast Rib of Beef. Hardest thing in the world to get right!
