Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
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Ó Muircheartaigh in Villa Maria, Waterville, 2012
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| Born | 20 August 1930 Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland
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| Died | 25 June 2024 (aged 93) Dublin City, County Dublin, Ireland
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| Alma mater | St Patrick's College of Education |
| Occupation | Gaelic games commentator |
| Employer | RTÉ |
| Predecessor | Michael O'Hehir |
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh (born August 20, 1930 – died June 25, 2024) was a famous Irish sports commentator. He worked for RTÉ, Ireland's national radio and TV station. He was known for commentating on Gaelic games, like Gaelic football and hurling.
Mícheál's career lasted for over sixty years! Many people called him the "voice of Gaelic games." He was seen as a true "national treasure" in Ireland. His long and amazing career even earned him a place in the Guinness World Records.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was born in a place called Dún Síon, near Dingle in County Kerry, in 1930. He grew up on his family's farm and went to school in Dingle.
In 1945, he started studying at Coláiste Íosagáin in Ballyvourney, County Cork. This was an all-Irish school where he trained to become a teacher. It was here that his name changed from Michael Moriarty to the Irish version, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. In 1948, he moved to St Patrick's College, Dublin in Drumcondra, Dublin to finish his teacher training.
Becoming a Commentator
First Steps in Broadcasting
In March 1949, Mícheál and other students took a test to become sports commentators. They had to commentate on a hurling game at Croke Park for five minutes in Irish. The best student would get more commentary work. The funny thing was, Mícheál had never seen a hurling game before!
He knew the judges couldn't see the game. So, he used his imagination! He focused on one player he knew, Tadhg Hurley. Mícheál made up an amazing story about Tadhg's skills, saying he saved a great shot, took a perfect line-ball, and even scored a penalty. He talked about Tadhg's family too, filling the time with exciting details.
'Twas a new game to me. But I knew one person. He was in goal for UCD and his name was Tadhg Hurley. He went to school in Dingle and he had hurling because his father was a bank manager and had spent time in Tipperary or Cork. The moment my minute started, he was saving a fantastic shot. And he cleared it away out, I can still see it, out over the sideline, Cusack Stand side of the field, eighty yards out. But it was deflected out by a member of the opposition. The adjudicators couldn't see that that didn't happen. Who was called out to take the line-ball? The only person I knew, Tadhg Hurley. And he took a beautiful line-ball - Christy Ring never took better. He landed it down in front of the Railway goal, there was a dreadful foul on the full-forward, and there was a penalty. And who was called up to take the penalty? Tadhg Hurley. 'Twas the best individual display ever seen in Croke Park. It took him at least a minute to come from the Canal goal up. And while he was coming up I spoke about his brother Bob, who was in Donal's class, and his sister who used to come out to Dún Síon strand during the summer. So eventually he took the penalty. I've seen DJ Carey, I've seen Nicky Rackard, I've seen Christy Ring. None of them could ever equal the display he gave that day... Sin mar a thosaigh sé!
Mícheál was chosen! His first real job was to commentate in Irish on the 1949 Railway Cup final on St. Patrick's Day.
Full-Time Broadcaster
After college, Mícheál became a teacher. He taught subjects like economics and Irish in schools around Dublin. He continued teaching until the 1980s. Then, he became a full-time broadcaster for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ).
For many years, Mícheál commentated on younger GAA matches in Irish. He also filled in for the famous commentator Micheál O'Hehir. When O'Hehir retired in the mid-1980s, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh became RTÉ's main radio commentator.
Mícheál's Unique Style
Mícheál developed his own special way of commentating. His accent was clearly that of a native Irish speaker. He truly loved the Gaelic Athletic Association, and his excitement shone through in every match. He became famous in Ireland for his unusual and funny phrases during games. People loved to listen to him, and many tried to copy his style.
In 2004, he wrote his autobiography, a book about his life, called 'From Dún Sion to Croke Park'.
Awards and Retirement
Mícheál's commentaries for RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport show won him an award in 1992. He was also honored by leading the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin in 2007. This was to celebrate his special contribution to Irish culture. He also led the St. Patrick's Parade in Toronto, Canada, in 2011.
On September 16, 2010, Mícheál announced he was retiring from broadcasting. His last All-Ireland commentary was for the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final on September 19, 2010. His very last broadcast was on October 30, 2010, for an International Rules test match at Croke Park.
Even after retiring, Mícheál stayed busy. He was asked to commentate on the end of the 2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race in Galway. He also wrote a weekly sports column for Foinse, an Irish-language newspaper. In 2016, he read a piece in Irish and English at an event in Croke Park. This event celebrated 100 years since the Easter Rising.
In 2007, he received a special medal from University College Dublin. In 1999, NUI Galway gave him an honorary doctorate for his lifetime of broadcasting.
After his 90th birthday, Mícheál was given the only All Star award of 2020. This was because most competitions were stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Appearances
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was the main commentator in the 2005 video game Gaelic Games: Football for the PlayStation 2. He also appeared in its 2007 sequel, Gaelic Games: Football 2.
A video called "Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh - Making a ham sandwich" became popular online. People noted how relaxing his voice was.
His Passing
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh passed away in hospital on June 25, 2024, at the age of 93.
See also
In Spanish: Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh para niños
