It has been announced that Sports broadcaster, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, will commentate on his last All-Ireland Final this Sunday. Audiences have enjoyed Micheál’s commentaries for the last seven decades but the commentator, who turned 80 last month, is now set to retire.
In an interview today on RTÉ Radio 1's 'Morning Ireland' Micheál made the announcement “After much consideration, I’ve decided that some 62 seasons after my first transmission, this Sunday’s All Ireland Final is to be my last”. He said.
He added thanks to those he had worked with through the years, saying: “I have always regarded my long association with RTÉ, broadcasting Gaelic Games, as a massive privilege; it brought the National Broadcaster and the GAA together from the time that 2RN went on the air in 1926. It enabled me to meet and get to know generations of great sportsmen and women and many of those associated with them. It was an honour for me to be at the source of this wonderful entertainment, to be part of a continuous and successful venture. Tá mé thar a bheith buíoch as an deis baint a bheith agam leis an bhfeachtas.”
Micheál’s retirement will follow the International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia in October after which he will exit the commentary box for the final time. Micheál received widespread tributes on the occasion of his recent 80th birthday, when a programme was broadcast in his honour on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Ó Muircheartaigh was born in Dún Síon just outside Dingle, County Kerry, in 1930. Originally a teacher he received his first RTÉ assignment in the form of providing an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup Final on St Patrick's Day. He continued teaching up until the 1980s when he became a full-time broadcaster with RTÉ.
Following Micheál O'Hehir’s retirement in the mid-1980s Micheál took the reins as RTÉ Radio1's premier radio commentator.
Commenting on the news, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: "I want to take this opportunity to extend my good wishes to Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh on his retirement.
"Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh is one of the most popular and admired figures in Irish life. He has had a long and hugely distinguished broadcasting career and he has brought pleasure and excitement into the lives of millions of GAA supporters.
"Today, I want to congratulate him on his many achievements and his great service to the Irish people. Mícheál has contributed significantly to our understanding and enjoyment of great sporting occasions down the years.
"His enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for Gaelic Games are unrivalled."
Cathal Goan, Director-General RTÉ, has also paid tribute to Mícheál, saying: “Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh's first broadcast was on a Railway Cup match in 1949. In the 60-something years that have followed Mícheál has become one of the most deeply resonant voices of the GAA on RTÉ. To say he is unique would be to understate the professionalism and the depth of the man. Equally, it doesn’t capture the colour of his work, the lyricism and richness of his delivery, or the deep, powerful connection he has made both with listeners and players. Let the numbers speak for themselves: this Sunday we will hear Mícheál’s final commentary for the 114th All-Ireland Senior Football Final, his 25th final in the year of his 80th birthday. His voice has defined GAA broadcasting for a generation, and will echo down the generations to come.”
Finally, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana said of the news that: “Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh has made a huge contribution to the promotion of Gaelic Games through his unique commentary style and it is no exaggeration to say that he has been the definitive voice of the GAA in homes and clubs across the country for over six decades. His grá for an Ghaeilge often shines through in his commentary and his attention to detail, recall and natural passion for our games has helped portray the very essence of what makes football and hurling so appealing to legions of supporters, not only in every corner of Ireland but all the way around the globe."
Micheál will continue to contribute to RTÉ Radio on a regular basis.
