Football

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh: The best lines from the voice of Gaelic Games for over 60 years

GAA broadcasting legend Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh died in Mater Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday morning

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.
By Liam Grimley

FOLLOWING the news of the death of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, we take a look at some of his best lines of commentary and moments from his career.

Ó Muircheartaigh died in Mater Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday morning, with tributes coming in from the GAA world and further afield.

The former broadcaster was gifted with a way with words that could paint a picture in the minds of his listeners and bring them to the touchline of any game he worked on.

He was also blessed with the humour to fill the gaps and keep his audience hanging on his every word.

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh - GOLD FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

  • “Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner-back will be the last person to let you down - his people are undertakers.”
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh walking at the funeral procession of Martin McGuinness, wearing a black coat
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh during the Funeral of former Sinn Fein leader and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in the Bogside in Derry. PICTURE: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

“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 Ciaran Whelan goes on the rampage, it’s a goal. So much for religion.”

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Colin Corkery on the 45, let’s 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.

A1994 duel with Cork's Colin Corkery sticks in the memory of Paul Higgins - though not for the usual reason. Picture by Ann McManus
A1994 duel with Cork's Colin Corkery sticks in the memory of Paul Higgins - though not for the usual reason. Picture by Ann McManus

1-5 to 0-8. Well from Lapland to the Antarctic, that’s level scores in any man’s language”.

“Pat Fox has it on his hurl and is motoring well now, but here comes Joe Rabbitte hot on his tail. I’ve seen it all now, a Rabbitte chasing a Fox around Croke Park!”

“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.”

“Teddy looks at the ball, the ball looks at Teddy”

Former Cork player Teddy McCarthy, who won both All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals in 1990
Former Cork player Teddy McCarthy, who won both All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals in 1990

“Teddy McCarthy to John McCarthy, no relation, John McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation.”

“Danny “The Yank” Culloty. He came down from the mountains and hasn’t he done well. He grabs the sliotar, he’s on the 50, he’s on the 40, he’s on the 30, he’s on the ground”

“In the first half they played with the wind. In the second half they played with the ball”.

Séan Óg Ó hAilpin
Séan Óg Ó hAilpin

“Pat Fox out to the 40 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.”

“Sean Óg Ó Hailpin, his father’s from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji, neither a hurling stronghold.”