RTE have confirmed retired broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy has passed away aged 76.

He died peacefully at home this morning.

Former RTÉ broadcaster Bill O'Herlihy has died aged 76. pic.twitter.com/JnD2gqRuaE — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 25, 2015

The well-known Cork man retired as RTE's main sports presenter last summer - after almost half a century.

He covered 10 World Cups and 10 Olympic Games - he also presented the first Rugby World Cup on RTE television and the very first Sunday Game in 1979.

He had a heart attack in 1984 and needed a major operation in 2007 because of a colon cancer tumour which he recovered from to resume his place as anchor of RTE's soccer coverage.

He's survived by his wife Hillary and his daughters Jill and Sally.

RTÉ put together this tribute to O’Herlihy when he retired from the station at the end of

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In 1973 O'Herlihy established public relations company O'Herlihy Communications. He had attended last night's IFTA Awards in Dublin.

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Had the pleasure of having a long & wide-ranging interview with Bill O'Herlihy who was generous with his time and advice. Very sad news RIP. — Joe Leogue (@JoeLeogue) May 25, 2015

Bill O'Herlihy has passed away suddenly. RIP. Huge sympathies to family, friends and colleagues in RTE and PR. pic.twitter.com/J40Y1mbOBU — Darragh Doyle (@darraghdoyle) May 25, 2015