Nobody did it better.
As the GAA world mourns the loss of one the icons of the sport, fans are coming together to remember the great Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, following his death aged 93.
The Kerryman had his first commentary gig for the national broadcaster on the Railway Cup Final on St Patrick’s Day 1949 and became RTÉ Radio 1’s premier radio commentator in 1985.
Up until his retirement in 2010 Ó Muircheartaigh has gifted countless golden moments and quotes to the public.
Below are just a few of the all-time great quotes from Mícheál’s back catalogue, that are sure to be flying around the country as we write.
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, a giant of sports broadcasting. RIP
— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) June 25, 2024
He took over as RTÉ Radio 1's premier radio commentator when Míchael O'Hehir retired from broadcasting in 1985.
His last All-Ireland final came in 2010, when he commentated on Cork's win over Down in the football… pic.twitter.com/RdV62XSo6e
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s greatest quotes
Commentating on a match in his first year for RTE in 1949
“He’s not a big man, he’s not a small man, he’s what you might call a handy man…”
On the similarity between Anthony Lynch‘s style of play and his family’s business
“Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner back, will be the last man to let you down, his people are undertakers.”
Commentating during a hurling match at Croke Park
“He grabs the sliotar, he’s on the 50…he’s on the 40…he’s on the 30…he’s on the ground.”
On the difference between referees and God
“The stopwatch has stopped. It’s up to God and the referee now. The referee is Pat Horgan. God is God.”
His famous delivery during a particularly exciting hurling encounter
“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!”
On Colin Corkery’s spectacular return to football after illness
“Colin Corkery on the 45 lets 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.”
Commentating on the McCarthys of Kerry
“Teddy McCarthy to John McCarthy, no relation. John McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation.”
Explaining Seán Óg Ó hAilpín’s hurling background
“Seán Óg Ó hAilpín…his father’s from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji, neither one of them a hurling stronghold.”
Telling a tale while Tyrone’s Brian Dooher receives treatment for an injury
“…and Brian Dooher is down injured. And while he is, I’ll tell ye a little story. I was in Times Square last week and I was missing the championship back home.
“So I approached a news stand and I said, ‘I suppose ye wouldn’t have the Kerryman (newspaper) would ye?’ To which the Egyptian behind the counter turned to me and he said, ‘Do you want the north Kerry edition or the south Kerry edition?’
“He had both… so I bought both. And Dooher is back on his feet…”
Making the point of a level game
“1-5 to 0-8…well from Lapland to the Antarctic, that’s level scores in any man’s language.”
Read more:
- Legendary GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh dies aged 93
- GAA president defends new All-Ireland final ticket prices
- RTÉ 2FM reportedly set to lose another big star following mass exodus
