George Hook | |
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George Hook in 2011
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Born |
Cork, Ireland |
19 May 1941
Nationality | Irish |
Other names | The Alpha Male, Hooky, The Hooky Monster |
Education | Rathmines College of Commerce, Dublin Institute of Technology |
Occupation | Journalist and Radio Broadcaster |
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
Spouse(s) | Ingrid Hook |
Children | Alison, George Junior and Michelle |
Website | www.georgehook.com |
George Hook (born 19 May 1941) is an Irish broadcaster, journalist and rugby union pundit. He hosts The Right Hook on the Irish radio station Newstalk and is a member of the popular sports media website, Pundit Arena. He had a career as a rugby union coach and businessman, before becoming a rugby pundit on RTÉ Television in 1997. He has also made other TV appearances, such as judging on Jigs & Reels and coaching on Celebrity Bainisteoir.
Hook grew up in Cork and converted to Christianity and attended Presentation Brothers College, a rugby union stronghold. Subsequently, he attended Rathmines College of Commerce. On his proud Christian Brothers upbringing Hook commented that "I am proud that Presentation College accepted Jewish boys when the State system was closed to them".
Hook has had a number of jobs, beginning as a temporary clerk for CIÉ, and later becoming a travelling salesman for the Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys). He also ran a catering business for over twenty years. He coached London Irish and Connacht as well as the United States national team in the 1987 Rugby World Cup.