How agreeable are you?
Very. I think by my nature I’m kind of passive and flexible and compromising. I don’t think I’m that demanding. There’s no I in team, and I do believe in the team in every way, in my personal life and in my professional life. That would be important to me.
What’s your middle name and what do you think of it?
Anthony is my middle name. I was born on a Tuesday in October and I believe St Anthony’s day, in my mother’s time, was a Tuesday, so I was called Anthony. I like the name. I think it’s a strong name, but I never use it. It’s there, it’s part of me, but it’s not something I use in any shape or form, bar seeing it on the passport.
Where is your favourite place in Ireland?
This is difficult because I have so many favourite places. And apart from my home, in Quilty, on the Wild Atlantic Way, in west Clare, if you take that as a given, I’ve always loved going to Killarney. I love walking around the lakes, and I love walking through the Gap of Dunloe in particular. But I also have a great fondness for Connemara and Donegal.
Describe yourself in three words
Kind. Positive. People-person. I suppose loyal would be another quality I’d like to have. It’s actually very hard to describe yourself in three words, because you’re trying to look at yourself in the mirror here. You’re better off with your friends and colleagues describing you. When you’re describing yourself, it is difficult.
When did you last get angry?
When I was stopped at a traffic light, a red light, and it turned green, and you don’t even have a chance to change gears, and people are hooting behind you. And I shouted at the mirror “Will you give me a chance?”
What have you lost that you would like to have back?
My 20s and 30s. Where did they go? I was out every night of the week, carefree and enjoying life. I was always kind of a social animal, and I loved socialising. I’d be given my mother’s Volkswagen and I’d be the driver. I’d be the one not drinking. And we all minded each other. We were starting off in life. Who knows where we were going to end up; we hadn’t a clue. We had little or no money, but we just had great fun. We’d be coming home from Lahinch, or Ennis, or Kilkee at 3 or 4 in the morning. You’d go out. You’d go to a nightclub or a disco or whatever, a dance. And sometimes maybe we’d walk home. And the sun might be rising. And it was such a nice time, particularly in the summer. The hay was cut and you’d get that beautiful smell, and our whole lives were before us.
I’m hoping to meet St Peter or Jesus and he’ll say, “Howaya, Marty. Well, what do you think of Clare winning the All-Ireland? And come on in”
What’s your strongest childhood memory?
I think living in New York. Growing up, living in an apartment in Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx. Going to school in New York and swearing allegiance to the American flag every morning. And then on Sunday, you’d do the same thing, in Gaelic Park, in the Bronx, and you’d stand for Amhrán na bhFiann. But I always knew, because of my parents obviously both being Irish, that I was Irish, growing up in New York, rather than American with Irish connections. Going to school in New York gave me a different perspective, because they did instil in you that anything was possible in life. The big thing for them was that “One day one of you could become the president of the United States of America”.
Part of my childhood memory was flying home on holidays, during the summer and getting to know the boys and girls at home, which I considered home. And that freedom from growing up in an apartment in New York, and always having to have someone with me, whereas in Ireland I came home and I could go for a cycle back by the sea. It gave me a love of freedom, so I wasn’t that disappointed when my father bought the pub in west Clare. It was like going home.
Where do you come in your family’s birth order, and has this defined you?
I’m an only child of an only child dad, and an only child mum, so I have no aunts, uncles or first cousins. My nearest relations would be second or third cousins. It probably has defined me. When you have such a small family, and you don’t have aunts or uncles, you do subsequently become more independent, but also dependent on your friends. I’ve been very lucky with the friends I’ve met through school, and my own community at home and in Dublin, and my colleagues in work. That dependency I have, I’ve no problem saying it, because I do depend on them because they’re like extended family.
What do you expect to happen when you die?
I’m hoping to meet St Peter or Jesus and he’ll say, “Howaya, Marty. Well, what do you think of Clare winning the All-Ireland? And come on in.” But obviously I would like to meet all my loved ones, including my mom and dad, extended family and friends. I would hope that St Peter and Jesus Christ are big GAA followers.
When were you happiest?
I’m happiest doing a commentary in Croke Park. It’s such a unique honour. It became a target for me – and you get three, four, five years of rejection – and finally you get a chance. Every time that I pick up the microphone, I’ve always appreciated it. I’ve never taken it for granted. I love broadcasting. I love my bank holiday programme. I love the radio. And socialising after matches, meeting the people that are involved in the games that I love, and the bonds that we share.
Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?
To be honest with you this was a clear decision, because it needs somebody with raw sex appeal, good-looking, handsome. So, it’s either Tom Cruise or George Clooney. Has to be.
What’s your biggest career/personal regret?
There is something in the DNA, that I love entertainment, and I love singing and dancing. So, there’s a part of me would love to do an entertainment show. And look that might still happen, but it would be another dream fulfilled if it ever did.
Have you any psychological quirks?
One of the things the lads will always say, and this goes back to when I was young, I’m the last one to leave the pub, although I don’t drink at all, because I enjoy the craic. So, if you’re going out with Morrissey, you probably will be the last one home. Going home early is not an option.
In conversation with Jen Hogan
