Micheal O Muircheartaigh. Unique commentary style.
Micheál O Muircheartaigh, Ireland’s best-known Gaelic games commentator, was born in 1930 in Dun Sion, near Dingle, Co. Kerry. He was educated in the Presentation Convent and the Christian Brothers School in Dingle, at Colaiste Iosagain in Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork, and at UCD.
He worked as a primary and secondary school teacher and his broadcasting career began in 1949 during his days in St Pat’s teacher training college in Drumcondra when Radio Eireann was looking for someone to do commentaries in Irish.
His unique commentary style landed him with the job in RTÉ, where he has been ever since, and he has succeeded Micheal O’Hehir as the voice of Gaelic games. A native Irish speaker, he has a huge interest in the promotion and development of the Irish language. One of his charms has always been the ease in which he moved from one language into the other – sometimes people barely noticed it.
Mícheál has also had a life-long interest in greyhound racing and regularly commentates on the sport on both radio and television. He once owned a greyhound in partnership with Prince Edward which got to the final of the English Derby.
He has also participated in a building project for the Niall Mellon Township Trust in South Africa.
Mícheál has published two best-selling books, From Dun Sion to Croke Park and From Borroloola to Mangerton Mountain.
He has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Institute of Technology, Tralee.
After turning 80 in August ,2010, he announced his retirement from the commentary box. The Cork v Down All Ireland final on Sunday, September 19, 2010, was his last commentary – except for the International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia in October.
Commentary sample
“Pat Fox out to the forty and grabs the sliotar. I blought 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.”