JOE Molloy is again fronting Virgin Media Ireland’s coverage of the Six Nations but his day job has changed since last year’s tournament.
Having become well-known as Off the Ball’s primary host since 2013, he departed for pastures new in October 2024.
He’s typically joined by Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Matt Williams and Andrew Trimble for analysis[/caption]
His wife gave birth to their first child in January 2024[/caption]
At the time he made it clear he was leaving Newstalk ‘on the best of terms’.
What drew him away was the chance to head up a new daily sports podcast from The Irish Independent.
Having become a father earlier that year, he cited how the realities of being on-air 7-10pm multiple weeknights along with 1-5pm on Sundays was no longer as feasible.
Here, SunSport chronicles his rise to becoming one of Ireland’s best broadcasters across sport and beyond.
Professional background:
In 2006 he completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and History at Maynooth University.
He topped that off with a 12-month Postgraduate Diploma in Radio and Television Production from its adjoining St Patrick’s College.
The Kildare native made his first foray into broadcasting with KFM by presenting a Saturday sports show from 2009-10.
An 11-month stint at the now defunct Setanta Sports followed from there as a producer for a show called iTalkSport.
He initially got his foot in the door at Newstalk as a researcher/producer for its current affairs show before taking on a similar role with Off the Ball.
When what became known as the Second Captains podcast crew of Eoin McDevitt, Ken Early, Ciaran Murphy, Simon Hick and Mark Horgan left the station in protest at not being granted a primetime slot, OTB was in a pinch as to who would take over hosting.
Molloy took to it like a duck to water and has been named IMRO Sports Presenter of the Year in the decade since.
Wife and child:
He keeps his personal life out of the spotlight and shuns even having an Instagram account.
But upon his return to work following the birth of his daughter, he did share one cute snap.
The February 2024 pic was captioned: “Hello! Back to work after 3 weeks away with our new arrival.
“She has rocked our world! Will be mostly asleep during IRE V WAL today.
“Rob Kearney, Matt Williams & Shane Horgan will keep an eye out.”
Favourite sport:
Longtime listeners will be aware that golf holds his heart more than any other sport.
Before his exit from Newstalk, he co-hosted its Golf Weekly podcast with Nathan Murphy.
Recent listeners to the Indo Sport podcast, however, will know that padel may just give golf a run for its money before too long.
