Introduction: A broadcaster with a wide lens
Ger Gilroy, a driving force behind Off The Ball and a familiar voice on Newstalk, has spent years shaping conversations around sport, culture, and media. Since 2018, he has led Off The Ball as managing director while continuing to host the show on Weekdays at 7pm. His touchstones reveal a life lived at the intersection of ideas, entertainment, and sport — a mix that informs his approach to storytelling, listening, and audience engagement.
Books that left a mark
Someone who grew up in a world of both sports headlines and literary pages is bound to carry certain narratives with them. For Gilroy, literature isn’t just a hobby; it’s a toolkit for empathy, analysis, and humor. The pull of a coming-of-age diary like The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ hints at a fascination with voice, perspective, and the awkward, sometimes comic, moments of adolescence that feel universal. Reading such work, Gilroy found a reminder that every generation has its own distinct rhythm — a rhythm broadcasters must learn to hear when shaping conversation for a broad audience.
Music that moves conversations
Music has long been a compass for cultural conversations, and Gilroy’s taste mirrors a desire for both discovery and shared experience. He’s drawn to songs and artists that bring people together, spark debates, or illuminate a community’s heartbeat. In a media landscape saturated with content, music remains a reliable anchor: it signals mood, invites storytelling, and offers a common reference point for listeners who may come from different backgrounds but share a love of a good performance, a memorable lyric, or a song that becomes a collective soundtrack to a moment in time.
Sports as a cultural lens
As the managing director of Off The Ball, Gilroy has a front-row seat to how sport reflects broader social currents. Sports broadcasts are more than game trivia; they’re cultural events that reveal identity, loyalty, and the power of community. Gilroy’s work demonstrates how sport talk can be inclusive, insightful, and entertaining — weaving analysis with anecdote and keeping the human story at the center. It’s a reminder that in sports media, the best conversations aren’t just about scores, but about how those scores resonate with people’s lives.
Broadcasting with curiosity
At the core of Gilroy’s touchstones is a commitment to curiosity. He seeks out diverse voices, listens for nuance, and believes in broadcasting that invites listeners to think more deeply about everyday topics. This curiosity translates into the way he curates conversations — whether about a big game, a cultural trend, or a personal story behind the scene — and it’s a reminder that good radio thrives on listening as much as speaking.
Why touchstones matter
Touchstones aren’t just nostalgic markers; they’re portable tools that shape creation. For Ger Gilroy, the books he read, the music that moved him, and the sports moments that captivated him form a toolkit for engaging an audience. They help him frame questions, pick angles, and sense what listeners want to hear next. In a media world that often moves at breakneck speed, these anchors provide steadiness and authenticity.
Looking ahead
As Gilroy continues to steer Off The Ball and contribute on Newstalk, his touchstones serve as a compass for future work: more thoughtful conversations, more curiosity, and a continued commitment to making culture accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience. Whether you’re a sports fan, a culture lover, or simply someone who enjoys a well-told conversation, his journey offers a reminder that the most powerful media moments start with curiosity and a willingness to listen.
Takeaway
Ger Gilroy’s cultural touchstones — literature, music, sports, and a curious approach to broadcasting — illuminate how one broadcaster can shape conversations that resonate across audiences. They’re a blueprint for how culture can inform media storytelling in meaningful, inclusive ways.
