GAA:This Sunday's All-Ireland football final will be the last from RTÉ broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh. The incomparable Kerryman has announced his retirement after a career in radio spanning over 60 years.
The 80-year-old from Dun Sion in An Daingean, will provide commentary from Croke Park on Sunday, where Down take on Cork, and will also be in the booth for the International Rules series in October before calling time on his radio days.
Having first picked up the microphone for RTÉ in 1949, when he called the Railway Cup final as Gaeilge, Ó Muircheartaigh has gone on to become inextricably linked with the GAA.
A teacher by profession, he combined both roles until the 1980s when he took over from the retired Mícheál O'Hehir on a full-time basis.
He celebrated his 80th birthday last month – fittingly enough at a celebration broadcast live on air from the summit of Mount Brandon outside his native An Daingean – and has opted to hang up the mike while still at the top.
“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," he said this morning. "It enabled me to meet and get to know generations of great sportsmen and women and many of those associated with them.
“I decided maybe the time to go is when you're still enjoying it. I've been at it a long time, it's been most enjoyable and a privilege to be in that position. There's only a while in everything. Sin mar a tá an scéal.”
GAA president Christy Cooney paid tribute to the “definitive voice of the GAA” and thanked the veteran for his huge contribution to Gaelic Games.
“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,” said Cooney, “not only in every corner of Ireland but all the way around the globe."
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who is said to have been able to mimic the broadcaster uncannily during his late night routine at the Fianna Fáil think-in earlier this week, extended his best wishes to Ó Muircheartaigh on his retirement.
“Micheál has contributed significantly to our understanding and enjoyment of great sporting occasions down the years,” said Mr Cowen. “His enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for Gaelic Games are unrivalled. He is an unassuming legend and in many ways he has become a treasured national institution.
“He is also a great gentleman and despite his remarkable success, he has remained the most modest and gracious of men. I want to wish Micheál happiness in his retirement and I look forward to seeing him soon."
Lar na Páirce . . .famous quotes from Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh
"The stopwatch has stopped. It's up to God and the referee now. The referee is Pat Horan. God is God."
"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."
"Pat Fox out to the forty and grabs the sliothar, I bought 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."
"Seán Óg Ó hAilpín. His father's from Fermanagh, his mother's from Fiji, neither a hurling stronghold."
"Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation."
"Teddy looks at the ball, the ball looks at Teddy"
"Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner-back, would be the last person to let you down - his people are undertakers"
“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.”
“1-5 to 0-8. Well, from Lapland to the Antarctic, that's level scores in any man's language.”
And finally . . .
"He can take the ball from one end of the field to the other with just the player's occupations." Kerry footballer Jack O'Shea on Ó Muircheartaigh's unique style.
