GARY O’REILLY had a successful football career, playing in some of the biggest games in club football.
However after retiring, O’Reilly moved to the United States, where he now co-hosts a highly successful science-based podcast.
The defender started his professional career at Tottenham Hotspur, making 45 league appearances between 1979 and 1984.
O’Reilly also made three appearances in the 1983/84 UEFA Cup, as Spurs went on to beat Anderlecht in the final, although he wasn’t in the squad for either of the two legs of the final.
After Spurs, O’Reilly signed for Brighton in the second division, staying for two and a half seasons before signing for Crystal Palace.
This is where O’Reilly had his most successful period in the sport, starring alongside Palace heroes such as Ian Wright and Mark Bright.
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In 1990, O’Reilly scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi final at Villa Park to put The Eagles 2-1. They would eventually win 4-3 in extra time.
This result meant that Crystal Palace had reached their first ever FA Cup final, where they would face Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at Wembley.
O’Reilly scored the opening goal of the final, a looping header that beat United goalkeeper Jim Leighton.
Palace led until the 113th minute of extra time, where a late Mark Hughes goal took the final to a replay, the South London club losing the second fixture 1-0.
After finding playing opportunities limited in the 1990/91 season, and brief loan at Birmingham City, O’Reilly rejoined Brighton in January of that season, retiring at the end of the following season.
After hanging up his boots, O’Reilly ventured into broadcasting, and eventually found himself as a co-host on Playing With Science, a podcast based in America.
It is a spin-off of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s show StarTalk, which O’Reilly co-host’s with American comedian Chuck Nice.
Tyson is considered one of the worlds most famous astrophysicist, and makes regular appearances and contributions on the show, which looks at the science of professional sport.
O’Reilly explained to Forbes in 2018 how he got the job: “I met the executive producer of StarTalk many years ago and we stayed in touch.
“She had always been interested in my sporting background and the global reach of my broadcasting – its variety and my ability to bring the subject matter to life and energize an audience.”
He went on to talk about his enjoyment of being on the show: “I like a new challenge and enjoy the thrill of a new project, so coming to the U.S. is a continuation of my life’s journey.
“Coming to America – why not, the opportunity presented itself – for a different type of show in that it involves a lot of science, kind of ticked all the boxes. And now, some 25 years after I finished playing, here I am.”
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