Jim Carney (poet) facts for kids

Jim Carney is a well-known Irish journalist, poet, and former TV presenter. Many people know him best from the sports show The Sunday Game.

Jim Carney's Early Life and Education

Jim Carney was born in Parkroe, a small area near Milltown in County Galway, Ireland. His father was Thomas Carney. Jim went to Milltown National School when he was young. Later, he studied at Tuam CBS.

Jim Carney's Career in Journalism

Jim Carney started his career as a journalist at The Tuam Herald newspaper. He worked there with Jim Fahy, who later became a well-known editor for RTÉ. Jim also joined the Tuam Theatre Guild, showing his interest in the arts.

Working at RTÉ

Jim Carney later became a journalist and broadcaster for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). This is Ireland's national TV and radio broadcaster. In 1979, he became the very first presenter of The Sunday Game. This show is now a famous program about Gaelic games.

After two seasons, Jim decided he preferred to work behind the scenes. He became a commentator and reporter for The Sunday Game instead. He continued in this role until 2010. He also reported and interviewed players during the live coverage of the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals. When live coverage of regular season games started in 1995, he took on even more duties.

Jim Carney's Work at The Tuam Herald

While working for RTÉ, Jim Carney also continued his work at The Tuam Herald. For a while in the 1990s, he was the editor of the newspaper. From 1985 until he retired in 2015, he was the sports editor. Even after retiring, he still writes a weekly sports column for the newspaper.

Jim Carney's Other Achievements

In 1971, Jim Carney published his first book. It was a collection of poems called Echoes from a Darkened Alley.

He also played an important role in sports management. In 1981, he was part of the management team for his local club, Milltown. That year, the club won their second and last Galway Senior Football Championship.

In 2020, Jim Carney received a special award. He was given the Services to Sport Award by the Galway Sports Stars Awards. This award recognized his long and important contribution to sports.