SNIPPET: Per the Spring 2000 issue of "The World Of Hibernia" magazine, growing up in the 1950s in Knockbridge, Co. Louth, Tommy SMYTH was a self-confessed radio fanatic who dreamed of announcing more than just the games he played with friends behind his family's house. He'd listen to legendary Gaelic sports announcer Michael O'HEIHER create lasting images of hurling and football matches, and then tune into Armed Forces Radio as it broadcast the mysterious game of American baseball. Some 40 years later, with a lot of hard work and a little Irish luck, SMYTH's dream came true with his job as soccer analyst for ESPN Television, enabling him to provide colorful commentary on international matches to viewers in up to 115 countries around the world. Since joiing the cable TV network in 1992, the 54-year-old SMYTH has commented on more than a thousand international matches including the 1998 World Cup from France. And since 1995 he has worked as an analyst for the NY/NJ Metro Stars of the MLS. SMYTH's partner on most of the ESPN broadcasts has been veteran soccer announcer J. P. DELLACAMERA. "From our first game together we just clicked. Tommy is not afraid to give him opinion, he has an outstanding knowledge of the game, and he is very colorful" SMYTH's description of a goal being scored - "There's another bulge in the onion bag," is an example of his unique style. SMYTH's enthusiam and love of the game have helped him deal with a demanding schedule.! "Tommy brings a lot to the table with his knowledge of the game and the various leagues we show," said Ed STASKELUNAS, Coordinating Producer of the ESPN International 's soccer broadcast. "We give him a ton of work, often 2-3 games in a day, and he's always able to provide a refreshing perspective." SMYTH's own international journey started in 1963 when he moved from Ireland to live with an aunt in Queens, NY. While working a variety of odd jobs, SMYTH played Gaelic football, soccer, and baseball. His skill in the latter earned him a try out with the NY Yankees, an event that was unfortunately cut short by an injury. Opportunity knocked again in 1969, when SMYTH filled in for a friend who hosted a radio show in Mt. Kisco, NY, and he eventually became host. He continues in 2000 to host his own weekly radio show, marking an astounding 31 consecutive years on the air in the NY area. His 2000 co-host is Cobh native Treasa GOODWIN, who is also the first woman ever to do halftime and postgame shows during the radio broadcasts of All-Ireland Finals on WFUV (Fordham University) in the Bronx. SMYTH's radio skills led to a job behind the microphone at Gaelic Park in the Bronx, where he introduced teams and provided running commentary during matches from the mid-1970s until 1996, when his ESPN schedule took precedence. "I really miss Gaelic Park every Sunday," admits SMYTH, who sometimes returns there for a game. SMYTH's close ties with another Irish institution in NY, the St. Patrick's Day Parade (five generations of his family, all Irish-born, have marched it it), led to a job as a spotter in 1989 during the parade's TV broadcast. He then worked as a researcher and eventually landed the co-host role, manning the broadcast booth with various celebrities for the past few years on NBC-TV. "I try to convey the atmosphere of the parade and who is there each year, whether they're marching or just watching," said SMYTH, who has also acted as MC on countless other Irish and Irish-American events. "It's such a unique occasion - millions of people turning out for a parade that doesn't even have floats! The Irish have a certain aura of being great for parties. Big events always seem to be popular in the U. S., and the parade has certainly become bigger every year." When asked in 2000 what game, among thousands he has gone on to broadcast, stands out? "In terms of the ending, last year's Manchester United win over Bayern Munich in injury time to win the Treble (capturing the English Premier League, F. A. Cup and European Club Champions Cup titles in the same season) was the most brilliant of any sports event, I have seen, and it was played at such a high caliber." He added that the Bulgarian-Germany match in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinal in the Giants Stadium was also a memorable event. Having witnessed the passion of soccer fans in many countries around the world, SMYTH is one of many confounded by the lack of success of professional soccer in the U. S., but ackowledges the success and attention garnered by a recent talented U.S. women's team , etc., and all the raw talent yet to be tapped. As for himself, SMYTH's dream game would be to announce Ireland versus the U. S. in a World Cup Final, with Ireland winning 1-0. But that's not all. "I would love to do a live TV broadcast of an All-Ireland senior football final from Croke Park, preferably with Louth being one of the teams. And as an Irishman, I would love to do a World Cup final from Wembley Stadium."