Sports
RTE GAA legends pay tribute to icon Micheal as voice of Ireland falls silent
LEGENDARY GAA commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh has been remembered as a “genius” who could “paint a picture with his words” following his death today.
The iconic Gaelic Games broadcaster passed away at a Dublin hospital at the age of 93 surrounded by loved ones.
Micheal’s long association with the station began almost three quarters of a century go, first providing all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup Final before becoming one of RTE’s best-known figures.
Sunday Games legend Michael Lyster – who worked closely alongside O Muircheartaigh for many decades – spoke to The Irish Sun after news of his old pal’s passing broke today.
The 70-year-old TV hero told us: “When I was growing up, there were the two Micheals – Micheal O Muircheartaigh and Micheal O Hehir were the two big hitters back in the day.
“His name is synonymous with GAA games. He brought Gaelic Games commentary to people who might not have been huge GAA fans but were fans of his.
“It was fantastic to see just how appreciated he was. Everyone knew him: people who went to games, GAA players, officials, he was so well-known by everyone.
“In the 1950s I remember listening to Micheal and being captivated. He was just so, so good.
“I actually think when it comes to Micheal, he was even better on radio than he was on television because he had such a wonderfully descriptive voice.
“He could paint a picture with words that others couldn’t.
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“I was only thinking of him the other day. He was a true great and he’ll be missed.”
As tributes poured in for the 60-year career veteran, Taoiseach Simon Harris spoke for the nation as he said: “The word ‘legend’ gets used too often, but for Micheal, it is almost not enough.”
O Muircheartaigh – who called time on his storied career in 2010 – passed away yesterday morning at the age of 93.
He is survived by his wife Helena, three sons, five daughters, grandchildren, and extended family.
Tributes have poured in for the popular broadcaster, who called games in both Irish and English.
‘Wonderful legacy’
President Michael D Higgins said: “Micheal O Muircheartaigh, and in particular his unmistakable voice, will forever be linked with our memories of some of the greatest matches in GAA history. His beautiful Irish delivered with a love of its sounds and sense to Gaelic games is a wonderful legacy that Micheal O Muircheartaigh leaves.
“Indeed, so many matches may in fact be remembered more for his commentary than for the action on the pitch.
“For Micheal turned every match into an epic tale, his commentaries capturing like no other the sense of occasion, the atmosphere in the stadium and on the terraces, the ebb and flow of the play and of every movement.
“Micheal’s encyclopaedic knowledge of players, their clubs, antecedents and relatives, his evocation of each parish and townland across the country, provided unparalleled insight to the listener and viewer.”
Fine Gael leader Harris also joined the tributes for the beloved commentator, telling how he has “the heaviest heart” to hear the news of his death.
Great humour
He said: “His voice, his colour, his excitement, his love of sport, his turn of phrase were often as exhilarating as the action he was describing on the pitch as the audience held its breath for what Micheal would say next.
“He also had a humour you could not learn – ‘Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation’.
“For a generation of the Irish diaspora, Micheal was also a treasured link and the voice of home as they listened to GAA across the world.
“In person, he was a gentleman to his fingertips and filled a room with a quiet and dignified aura. May he rest in peace.”
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RTE, said: “His love for Gaelic Games was matched only by his love for the Irish language and his native Kerry, and his legacy stands proudly as a seminal contributor to sporting life and culture in Ireland, to the life of his language, and the life of the nation.”
‘Magic of his voice ‘
Close friend and colleague Marty Morrissey paid a fond farewell to O Muircheartaigh in an emotional video package that aired shortly after his death was announced.
Fellow station stalwart Marty told his audience: “His journey in broadcasting earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest career of a live match commentator.
“Today Micheal O Muircheartaigh died.
“But the magic of his voice and the memories he gave us will mean in our minds, he will live forever.
“His beautiful accent, his unique turn of phrase and ability to paint pictures with words captured the minds and hearts of his listeners – whether they were in Ireland or abroad.”
Mic falls silent but Micheal commentary lives forever
By GARY MENEELY
MICHEAL O Muircheartaigh’s microphone has fallen silent – but his commentary will live forever.
The voice of Gaelic games commentated on some of the most memorable moments in Irish sporting history during a broadcasting career spanning six decades.
Thanks to the Kerryman’s genius quotes and distinctive lilt from behind the microphone, the legend became known simply by his first name.
Masterful Micheal brought the excitement of matches into people’s living rooms – giving those unable to get tickets a pitch side seat.
The gifted broadcaster was truly synonymous with Gaelic Games.
Here are some of the best Micheal-isms.
- “Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: his father’s from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji. Neither a hurling stronghold.”
- “…and Brian Dooher is down injured. And while he is, I’ll tell ye a little story: I was in Times Square in New York last week, and I was missing the Championship back home. So I approached a newsstand and I said, “I suppose ye wouldn’t have The Kerryman, would ye?” To which, the Egyptian behind the counter turned to me and he said, “Do you want the North Kerry edition, or the South Kerry edition?” He had both – so I bought both. And Dooher is back on his feet…”
- “Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner-back, will be the last person to let you down – his people are undertakers.”
- “Colin Corkery on the 45 lets go with the right boot. It’s over the bar. This man shouldn’t be playing football. He’s made an almost Lazarus-like recovery from a heart condition. Lazarus was a great man but he couldn’t kick points like Colin Corkery.”
- “The stopwatch has stopped. It’s up to God and the referee now. The referee is Pat Horan. God is God.”
- “Dublin have scored two points, one from the hand and one from the land.”
- “Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation.”
- “I saw a few Sligo people at Mass in Gardiner Street this morning and the omens seem to be good for them. The priest was wearing the same colours as the Sligo jersey! 40 yards out on the Hogan Stand side of the field, Ciarán Whelan goes on a rampage… it’s a goal! So much for religion.”
- “He grabs the sliothar, he’s on the 50! He’s on the 40! He’s on the 30… he’s on the ground!”
- “Pat Fox out to the forty and grabs the sliothar. I bought a dog from his father last week. Fox turns and sprints for goal… the dog ran a great race last Tuesday in Limerick… Fox, to the 21, fires a shot – it goes to the left and wide… and the dog lost as well.”
- “He kicks the ball lán san aer. Could’ve been a goal, could’ve been a point… it went wide.”
- “I see John O’Donnell dispensing water on the sideline. Tipperary, sponsored by a water company. Cork, sponsored by a tae company. I wonder will they meet later for afternoon tae.”
- “And here’s Sylvie Linnane, who drives a digger on a Monday and turns into one on a Sunday.”
Taking to Twitter, Montrose pal Des Cahill shared a picture of himself and O Muircheartaigh in Croke Park, simply captioning it: “RIP Micheal O Muircheartaigh.”
Sky Sports legend Chris Kamara recalled how the veteran commentator gave he and Jeff Stelling a crash course on GAA during a whirlwind Irish visit.
Kammy posted: “Just heard the sad news from (Westlife star Nicky Byrne) … that the legendary commentator Michael O Muircheartaigh has passed away.
“Myself & @JeffStelling spent a cracking week with Meehaul as he educated us on the GAA. We went from grassroots to the All Ireland final. RIP Michael you were a top fella.”
Icon’s life
Micheal was born in Dun Sion just outside Dingle, Co Kerry, in 1930 and worked as a teacher for many decades, including in O’Connell’s CBS in the shadow of Croker.
He took over as RTE Radio 1’s premier radio commentator when O’Hehir retired from broadcasting in 1985, hosting coverage of the flagship event until his retirement.
His last All-Ireland final came in 2010, when he commentated on Cork’s win over Down in the showpiece football decider, and hung up his headphones in October of that year. Beloved O Muircheartaigh was awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway in 1999 for his lifetime service to broadcasting.
And shortly after his 90th birthday, the RTE star was awarded the only All Star of 2020 – with all other All Stars being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Kerry GAA posted online: “A national treasure without question, but first and foremost a jewel in the crown of his beloved Gaeltacht in West Kerry. Micheal had a deep grá for West Kerry, Kerry GAA, Ireland and everything about being Irish.
“We were so lucky that he hailed from the Kingdom and represented our county with unrivalled pride.”
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