Football

GAA broadcasting legend Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh dies, aged 93

The Kerry-born commentator was the voice of the GAA on RTÉ from the 1980s until his retirement from broadcasting in 2010

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
By Liam Grimley

GAELIC games broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh has died at the age of 93.

The Kerry-born commentator was the voice of the GAA on RTÉ from the 1980s until he retired from broadcasting in 2010.

His first commentary assignment was to provide an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup final on St Patrick’s Day.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh commentated in both Irish and English and was previously a primary and secondary teacher before becoming a full-time broadcaster with RTÉ in the 1980s.

Ó Muircheartaigh died in Mater Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday morning.

Described as “The voice of Gaelic Games”, he commentated on some of the biggest games in the history of the GAA and delivered some of the most memorable lines of commentary, including “Anthony Lynch the Cork corner-back will be the last person to let you down - his people are undertakers.”

Micheal O Muircheartaigh, Conor McManus and former GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail at The Irish News All-Star Awards 2015.
Micheal O Muircheartaigh, Conor McManus and former GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail at The Irish News All-Star Awards 2015.

Tributes have been come in from the GAA world and beyond, with Taoiseach Simon Harris calling him “a gentleman to his fingertips who filled a room with a quiet and dignified aura.”

Harris continued: “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 Mícheál would say next.”

Speaking to RTÉ, GAA president and former Armagh captain Jarlath Burns said: “That’s Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. His ability to take a simple fact and weave it into the narrative of the game and turn it into something beautiful was the epitome of him.

“As a player myself, playing for Armagh in the 90s, we always wanted Mícheál to commentate on our games because we just knew that he would turn the ordinary narrative of a game into poetry, he did it beautifully, he did it eloquently but most of all he did it gently.”

Reporting on the news for RTÉ, fellow commentator Marty Morrissey said: “His beautiful accent, a unique turn of phrase and ability to paint a picture with words captured the minds and hearts of his listeners, the people of Ireland and abroad.

Micheal O Muircheartaigh speaking during the Laochra entertainment performance after the Allianz Football League Final with TV cameras and club flags in the background
Micheal O Muircheartaigh speaking during the Laochra entertainment performance after the Allianz Football League Final. PICTURE: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE (Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE/SPORTSFILE)

“Mícheál was a special man with a special broadcasting talent. Today Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh died, but the magic of his voice and the memories he gave us will mean in our minds he will live forever. Go raibh mile maith agat Mícheál.”

Former Sky Sports commentator Chris Kamara said: “Myself & Jeff Sterling 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”

As well as a talented broadcaster he also put his love of teaching and sport to use when he trained the Dublin-based Kerry footballers for the county set-up under Mick O’Dwyer in the 1970s and 80s.

Ó Muircheartaigh also secured a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest career as a live match commentator.