The three-time Major winner shared a message of congratulations with the man who has worked in sport for over 40 years
11:22, 21 May 2026Updated 11:32, 21 May 2026
Padraig Harrington’s message of congratulations to Greg Allen(Image: @iresport)
Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington led the tributes to an RTÉ broadcasting legend, who was honoured with a prestigious award on Tuesday.
Golf and athletics commentator and broadcaster Greg Allen received the Jimmy Magee Award for Sports Coverage at the annual Irish Sport Industry Awards at the College Green Banking Hall in Dublin.
Allen has covered over 80 Major golf tournaments in his time with the national broadcaster and has commentated on ten summer Olympic games.
He began working in radio for the 1984 Los Angeles games and his enthusiastic and informed commentary style has been a significant part of RTÉ’s Olympics coverage.
He’s also the voice of golf on the station and had just jetted back from Pennsylvania having been covering the USPGA at Aronimink Golf Club over the weekend.
54-year-old Harrington remarkably finished tied 18th in that event but was on hand to share a quick message of congratulations to Allen.
“Congratulations Greg on your Jimmy Magee award for broadcasting. Your professionalism truly deserves this award over the years,” said Harrington, who won the Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and US PGA in 2008.
“I think you started in athletics in 1992 and then to golf, the same as myself in 1996, 30 years.
“Your joy and enthusiasm has shown up throughout those years and you always provided such a safe environment for us athletes (as I call myself) to work in. I’ve truly enjoyed working with you over the years and for many more to come.”
Greg Allen receives his award on Tuesday
The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport, brought together representatives from sport, business and government to recognise achievements in areas including innovation, commercial partnerships, sustainability and inclusion.
Allen tweeted on X: “The name on the trophy made this a particularly special evening. My sincere thanks to the Federation of Irish Sport and the Association of Sports in Ireland.”
The award is named in memory of the legendary Magee, who died in 2017, having spent over half a century in sports broadcasting at the national station, covering Olympics and World Cup Finals.
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