My Saturday morning ritual? Shebhan Aherne on talkSPORT, a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich. Have been listening to her forever now, and I still can’t get over how good she is at this job.
But anyway, got me thinking and all; who is this woman really? You know that Scottish accent from those weekend nights, but what is her story exactly?
It also turns out to be better than I had anticipated it would be.
The Glasgow Girl
Shebahn Aherne is from Old Drumchapel in Glasgow. It is a proper working-class area, an area where you learn to speak your mind early. Born on July 3rd in the year 1990, Shebahn Aherne age is 34 at present.
34 and already one of the finest voices on British radio. Makes me feel like I’ve missed out on life or something, but there you go.
Here’s the crazy thing: she has a twin sister. Not just any twin either. Shebahn Aherne’s sister, Ruesha, plays as a professional footballer. Just imagine spending your childhood in that house. One sister kicking balls around the garden, the other probably practising her commentary on the neighbours’ cat.
Ruesha ended up playing for both Scotland and Ireland internationally. Christmas dinner conversations must be interesting in that family.
How She Got Started
My mate works at Radio Clyde and reckons Shebahn Aherne talkSPORT wasn’t always the plan. She started doing travel reports. Traffic jams and roadworks, basically. It was not the most glamorous allotment, but everyone’s got to start somewhere.
From “There’s a three-car pile-up on the M8” to interviewing Premier League managers is pretty impressive when you think about it. It takes the proper bottle to make that leap.
Radio Clyde to talkSPORT is hardly a straight line, either. Must have taken many rejection letters, any number of humiliating interviews, and likely a bunch of right disasters. She doesn’t talk about the failures much, which is probably wise. Nobody wants to hear about your rejections when you’re successful.
The Family Situation
Shebahn Aherne husband Jamie keeps himself well out of the spotlight. Smart man. He runs a property company and stays off social media mostly. Can’t blame him really, as sports fans can be mental when they disagree with something.
They’ve got two kids together. Two kids and weekend radio shows? That’s proper juggling, that is. My sister struggles with one child and a part-time job.
The kids must think it’s normal, having mum on the radio every Saturday morning. Probably embarrassing when they’re older, “Oh no, everyone knows my mum’s voice from the football show.”
Shebahn Aherne Celtic – The Football Side
Being from Glasgow, you’d expect some football loyalty. Shebahn Aherne Celtic connections are there if you know where to look. Nothing too obvious, as she’s professional about it, but there are hints on social media sometimes.
Had a look at her Twitter the other day. Likes stuff about Celtic and follows the usual Glasgow football people. Fair enough, everyone’s got a team.
The brilliant thing is she never lets it show during broadcasts. Completely neutral when she’s working. Must be torture sometimes, especially during Old Firm matches, but that’s what separates the pros from the fans with microphones.
Women’s Football Champion
This is where she really shines. Coverage of women’s football on Shebahn Aherne talkSport shows is a different class. There is no patronising nonsense, nor should it be treated like a novelty act. Just proper football talk.
Having Ruesha as a sister probably helps. She actually knows what she’s talking about instead of just reading stats off a sheet. Makes all the difference when you’re listening.
Covered the Women’s World Cup whilst her twin was playing for Ireland. Imagine trying to stay neutral when your own flesh and blood’s on the pitch representing their country. Must have been mental.
Breaking Into the Boys’ Club
Sports radio’s still pretty male-dominated, isn’t it? Always has been. Loads of middle-aged blokes shouting about formations and transfer fees.
Shebahn just got on with it. Never made a big song and dance about being different or special. Just turned up, did good work, earned her place. That’s probably why people respect her.
My dad listens to the weekend show religiously. He’s 67, watches Question of Sport reruns, thinks women’s cricket is “quite good actually.” If he rates a female sports presenter, she must be doing something right.
The Radio Voice
There’s something about her delivery that just works. Warm but not fake, knowledgeable but not showing off. Good radio voice too – clear, easy to listen to, doesn’t grate after twenty minutes.
Been listening to sports radio for decades. Some presenters you get sick of quickly. Others you actively avoid. Shebahn’s in that rare category where you actually look forward to hearing her.
Weekend Sports Breakfast became appointment listening for me purely because of her. Says something about quality, that does.
The Social Media Side
Follows her on Instagram occasionally. Normal family stuff mostly – kids playing football, holidays, the odd professional photo from work events. Nothing too flashy or attention-seeking.
Shebahn Aherne age shows sometimes – she gets the social media game better than older presenters but doesn’t go overboard like the younger ones. Balanced approach, really.
Posts about her sister’s football career quite a bit. Proper proud of Ruesha, which is lovely to see. Family supporting family and all that.
What Makes Her Different
Sports broadcasting’s full of people trying too hard. Either trying to be controversial for clicks, or trying to sound more knowledgeable than they actually are.
Shebahn just sounds like someone who genuinely loves sport and happens to be good at talking about it. That authenticity’s rare in media these days.
She’s built something sustainable too. Not chasing viral moments or Twitter arguments. Just consistently good work, week after week. That’s how proper careers are built.
Looking Ahead
At 34 with two young kids, she’s probably got another twenty years of broadcasting ahead of her. Maybe television work, maybe different radio shows, maybe something completely different.
Whatever happens, weekend mornings won’t be the same without that Scottish accent keeping us company. Some voices just become part of your routine, don’t they?
Shebahn Aherne earned her place at the table fair and square. Long may it continue.
