Richie is one of Ireland’s most trusted voices in both the Irish sporting and mental health arenas. He has been a keen advocate for mental fitness especially in young adults and is regularly booked for talks centering on his career, experience and mental health. He is a regular contributor to RTÉ radio, and the Second Captains sports podcast, presenting The Player’s Chair. He is also a columnist for The Irish Times. Richie’s second book, ‘Let’s Talk’, was published in April 2022.
His football career began with local side Broadford Rovers in Ballinteer. Richie moved on to play for Leicester Celtic and Belvedere before moving to South London, aged 17, to play for Millwall. He scored 34 goals in 103 starts for the Lions. He represented the Republic of Ireland at under 18, 19, 20, 21 and senior level, making his full debut against Russia at Lansdowne Road in February 2002. Three weeks later Richie injured his hip and never recovered, and retired in September 2003, aged 24.
Richie is now an established member of the RTE Panel, having previously worked for a spell at Setanta Sports TV and BBC London Radio. He wrote a column for over nine years in the Sunday Independent, where his willingness to write openly about his own experiences set him apart.
His move into the field of psychotherapy came from his own positive experiences in personal therapy. He is now a practising therapist himself, and is undertaking further training to specialise in working with adolescents. Richie devised a module in mental fitness for Transition Year students which he delivers in St Benildus College.
Having worked in so many different areas of the professional game – recruitment, playing, agency, club administration, print journalism, radio co-commentary and television punditry – in addition to his experience and knowledge in the mental health sector, Richie comes with a range of valuable insights and experience.