Jim Neilly

Originally a science teacher in the Boys' Model Secondary School in Belfast, Jim joined BBC Ireland and began his media career as a presenter and a commentator.

He has worked on such sporting events as the Commonwealth Games (1982-98), Olympic Games (1988-2000), Rugby Five Nations Championship (1979-96) and the Irish Rugby Tours to the Southern Hemisphere (1979-98).

After 11 years, Jim became Head of Sport and Events for BBC Northern Ireland, as well as continuing to work as a commentator and a presenter.

During his time as Head of Sports events, he was the presenter of the Sony Award Winning Midweek Sportsound in 1989.

Having returned to freelance commentating in 1993, Jim turned his attention to boxing, where he succeeded Harry Carpenter as the BBC Network Boxing Commentator working in BBC Radio Two and Five.

In 1994, he started to concentrate more on rugby commentating, working on the World Cups of 1995 and 1999 (BBC Radio Two/Five/Radio Ulster), the Hong Kong Sevens of 1995 (BBC Television) and the Five Nations Championships (Ulster and BBC Television).

He was also lucky enough to witness his rugby team, Ulster, win the European Cup of 1999.