The sad news that the legendary and much-loved Gaelic games commentator and national treasure, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, had died aged 93, seems to have led to the whole nation posting fond memories and tributes to the great man online.
He was one of eight children born in Dún Síon just outside Daingean Uí Chúis (Dingle), Co Kerry, to Katie and Thadie Ó Muircheartaigh, and he famously said that a big attraction in subsequently attending St Pat’s teaching college in Dublin was its proximity to Croke Park – the Mecca as he described it. His first role as sports commentator was as Gaeilge for the 1949 Railway Cup Final on St Patrick’s Day.
His rich, beautiful, Kerry accent, and his mellifluous delivery and command of both the English and Irish language, made him an icon, as did his mesmerising knowledge of every detail of the GAA, the games, the players and the history. He moved seamlessly from one language to another in his commentary, and was a towering advocate for Gaeilge and Gaelic culture.
More than anything else, he brought the fierce excitement of the fast-paced games of hurling and football into almost every home in the country. So exciting was his commentary that it was common for those watching the game on television to tuen down the sound so that they could also listen to Ó Muircheartaigh on radio.
Author John Crotty captured some of those brilliant descriptions in a tweet thread that he prefaced by saying: “The greatest sports commentator of all time has passed. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh leaves us with lines that will echo. Here are some of his best:
“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. Its 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”
“Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: his father’s from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji: Neither a hurling stronghold”.
“Mike Houlihan for Limerick. Houlihan, the cattle jobber. He had his jaw broken by a kick from a bullock two months ago. He’s back now. ‘Twas some bullock that broke Mike Houlihan’s jaw!”
“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 grabs the sliothar, he’s on the 50! He’s on the 40! He’s on the 30… he’s on the ground! “Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation.”
“The stopwatch has stopped. It’s up to God and the referee now. The referee is Pat Horan. God is God.”
“Stephen Byrne with the puck out for Offaly. Stephen, one of 12 All but one are here today, the one that’s missing is Mary, she’s at home minding the house”
“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 saw a few Sligo people at Mass 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.”
The Ó Muircheartaigh quotes are the stuff of legend, of course, relayed by all and sundry so that we can continue to marvel at his musical turn of phrase, his wit, his ability to see joy in ordinary things, and his sheer brilliance at story telling.
His kindness and selflessness was remembered by many who spoke of how he took time for everyone, often travelling long distances in response to a request, never seeking, and often refusing, any reward.
Amongst his many talents was his ability to drop a perfect short story into the middle of a fast-paced commentary. This is one example.
This is genuinely a perfect bit of storytelling. Put it in a literary journal. Hang in in the Louvre. Ní fheicfimid a leithéid arís ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OrjEndhbPN
— Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (@niamhsquared) June 25, 2024
And his knowledge of a great many things – not just sports – was encyclopedic, and included this absolute gem about how the first sports broadcast in Ireland back in 1926, which was unauthorised, was also the first sport event anywhere in the world to go out on live radio.
The late great Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh telling the story of the first match ever broadcast in Ireland pic.twitter.com/bE2pkskm8e
— Will O'Callaghan (@willocallaghan) June 25, 2024
As so many people observed yesterday, he was one of the most distinctive voices in the country – one that “evokes so much passion and positive memories”.
RIP Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
— Barry Dooney (@Barry_Dooney) June 25, 2024
A voice that evokes so much passion and positive memories.
Here are some of his best moments during @Galway_GAA 's epic 1998 victory: pic.twitter.com/rooJUCFwpg
He had the kind of delivery – seen here in his recital of “A Hurler’s Prayer” that reached right into the listener’s core: it would capture a heart of stone. A rare talent.
When the final whistle for me is blown/
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 25, 2024
And I stand at last at God's judgement throne/
May the great Referee when he calls my name/
Say you hurled like a man, you played the game
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh recites 'A Hurler's Prayer'pic.twitter.com/YsfFDAWBoR
That same captivating voice, as Raidió na Gaeltachta shared today, reciting in his native Gaeilge, Seán Ó Riordáin’s Oíche Nollaig na mBan. Rare beauty. Take a minute to listen.
About his beloved GAA, he once said of the season: “Once an All-Ireland final is over, especially the last one of the year, its like closing in something but you’re already looking forward to the Resurrection. And like the flowers that grow after the flowers dying with the frosts of the winter, the new ones will come if you are lucky enough to be around for them.”
He had no fear of death, of ‘the final whistle’, as he explained. He was sure that there was something after death and it could be a state of happiness.
My Granda had no Gaeilge but watched @officialgaa games on @TG4TV with the tv muted & Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh on the radio.
— Jess Ní Mhaoláin (@Jess_NiMhaolain) June 25, 2024
For a child with sightloss, he was the voice of the game. His words created an epic live picture for me. He kept me included.
Go raibh maith agat Micheál https://t.co/hFq0ig0juO
“He enchanted us with his commentary”, GAA President Jarlath Burn said yesterday. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam uasal. Comhbhrón lena chlann: his wife Helena and his eight children, his extended family, and legions of fans.