Apres Match Will Unveil A Whole Host Of New Characters This Euros

We've gone from nearly not having Apres Match for the upcoming Euros, to getting even more new characters.

The trio, who will be celebrating their 20th anniversary of the sketch show at these European Championships revealed yesterday that there will be new characters joining Eamonn Dunphy, Johnny Giles, and Liam Brady.

In the firing line include TV3 pundits Kevin Kilbane, Neil Lennon, Tommy Martin's and Joey Barton; Gerry Armstrong, Jimmy Nesbitt, Peter Collins, and Darragh Maloney.

They also announced that the late Bill O'Herlihy will not be as prominent, but that O'Herlihy's family have given their blessing to continue portraying Billo:

From their point of view it keeps his memory alive and keeps it going. I actually did him in a live context after he had died. It’s slightly strange territory. The man himself was amazing and such a huge character but there has to be context.

Risteard Cooper, who plays Bill, spoke about the new opportunities that will come about this tournament as the reason for the new characters. Northern Ireland's inclusion in the games gives an excuse for a Northern voice (Gerry Armstrong), while TV3's inclusion as broadcaster also presents new challenges.

The TV3 factor, the fact that they are doing half the games, is going to unearth a whole new chapter from our point of view. Inevitably they will be part of it. Kevin Kilbane is someone I have been working on. He is the new Mark Lawrenson in that he’s doing commentary for TV3, analysis for BBC, updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and then goes on Today FM to do the summation. He is omnipresent. He’s new.

Apres Match will feature as a five minute slot at the end of each RTE broadcast, as well as an hour-long highlights show.

[Irish Times]

See Also: Essential Ranking Of The 18 Best Apres Match Moments Of All Time