Donncha O’Callaghan to leave 2FM radio show after several other high profile departures

Donncha O’Callaghan has announced he will be leaving RTÉ’s 2FM this week, with his final show airing on Friday July 5.

The former Munster rugby player is stepping away from the station after five years of presenting, less than a month after the national broadcaster announced his inclusion in 2FM’s summer schedule.

The news of his exit comes after the departure of his breakfast show co-host Doireann Garrihy, and The 2 Johnnies decision to leave the station in May.

O’Callaghan had been presenting The RTÉ 2FM Breakfast Show alongside Garrihy and Carl Mullan since May 31 2021, and was most recently co-presenting with Mullan and Aifric O’Connell as part of the summer schedule.

In a statement on his Instagram account, the 45-year-old Corkman said, "I'm sure we’d all agree, it’s never easy to step away from something you really enjoy doing.

"I’m so incredibly grateful and proud of the last five years in 2FM, I’ve absolutely loved it.

"Thank you to Dan and Paul for an amazing opportunity & taking a complete flyer on me. Loads of people say they will give you a chance, very few actually do it and I can’t thank ye enough.

"To all the producers, BCOs and presenters that I’ve been lucky enough to be around, thank you for being so incredibly helpful and kind to me."

In his statement, O'Callaghan thanked his 2FM colleagues.

"All unsung heroes like Cieran in Promotions, Lily you superstar, the social media team and all of the crew in Switching (up & down on Cork 2) The Cork studio for always being so accommodating. Bar Paul on numbers, I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.”

He also thanked his “fantastic listeners” for their love and support, as well as his fellow broadcasters and producers.

"Producer Grace, 'thank you’ will never cover it. When everyone else tells you what you want to hear, you jump in and speak the truth, you are an amazing teammate. Willem, of course you are exceptional at your job we all know that, but you learn a lot about people at 5am in the morning, you are an exceptional human.

"Aifric, I know we didn’t get a lot of airmiles together but I enjoyed every minute. Carl and Doireann, ye know exactly what ye mean to me and only one word does it justice – TIME.

"We all have a reason for bouncing out of bed and taking on the day. I’ve been blessed yet again to do something I’ve loved for the last five years. Of course it requires sacrifice and commitment, in my case that load has been carried by Jenny. Thank you for always backing me."

After stepping away from the radio show, the ex-rugby player said that he will be focusing on Ireland’s Fittest Family, his “exciting rugby projects”, and “something else that is a complete ‘Disaster’”.

RTÉ 2FM posted a picture of O'Callaghan on social media captioned: "We'll miss you Donners."

 

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