It’s claimed legendary Gaelic Games commentator Mícheál Ó’Muircheartaigh will leave an everlasting impression on the people of Clare.
This county’s greats have been leading the tributes to the broadcasting veteran who passed away peacefully on Tuesday.
Just one of the iconic quips from Mícheál Ó’Muircheartaigh, who wasn’t at all phased when a streaker took to the field to celebrate a Henry Shefflin green flag in the 2003 Leinster Hurling Final.
The tributes have been pouring in for the man whose voice brought simple hurling and football matches to life, with vibrant detail for countless fans of gaelic games at home and across the globe.
Ó’Muircheartaigh’s first assignment was the Railway Cup Final in 1949 and he would remain ever present on the airwaves in a glittering sixty-year career that concluded with the 2010 All-Ireland Football Final between Cork and Down.
The Kerryman was renowned for his unique captivating style, wealth of knowledge, the ability to seamlessly integrate the cúpla focail and legendary quick wit.
He was on duty in 1995 when Clare ended an 81-Year famine to claim the All-Ireland Hurling Championship and Clare FM GAA Commentator Syl O’Connor recalls how Mícheál cleverly deployed his skill set on the day when describing Clare corner-forward Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin “Very few people would have known Ger as Ger O’Loughlin, he was always known as the Sparrow, as the game was coming to an end, he received the ball under the stand, things were looking good for Clare and Mícheál came up with a superb comment, “They say one swallow never made a summer, but one sparrow could make a hell of an autumn in county Clare.”
A Clare colleague of Mícheál Ó’Muircheartaigh’s believes the likes of his talent will never be seen again.
In 2010, he was awarded the Guiness World Record for the longest career as a live match commentator.
Quilty based RTÉ Gaelic Games Correspondent and Commentator Marty Morrissey says not only was Ó’Muircheartaigh a gentleman and a wordsmith, but an inspiration and dear friend to all generations.
You can listen to the full interview here:
