(Continued page 1)

matches as a young boy and my first ambition have Michael O'Hehir mention my name on the radio. I went on to play for Clare and Michael broadcasted a lot of our games.

"He was the voice of the game. He brought them to life and the pictures on television nowadays don't compare to the pictures he conjured up in your mind over the radio - that was his unique talent. Listening to him as a young boy, you saw the respect and reverence that adults had for him, his word was gospel."

Former Kerry footballer and manager Mick O'Dwyer travelled with O'Hehir to America back in the 1960s. "We visited a race track in New York and he got a great reception there, he was very well known by the horse racing people even in America and got VIP treatment all the way.

"The wirelesses were pretty scarce growing up as a young boy in Waterville but we'd all gather round to hear Michael's commentaries every Sunday. His broadcasts electrified us."

Kilkenny hurling legend Eddie Keher said O'Hehir had a tremendous ability to make games exciting. "He did more to promote the games than the GAA will ever know. We met often at games over the years, he was a lovely man."

Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry Murphy said he helped the GAA in lots of ways by bringing images to life. "Ring was our idol, and Michael's descriptions of Cork Tipperary battles were legendary. We got to know of other players through his commentary long before TV arrived on the scene.

Barry Murphy said he is constantly being reminded of Michael O'Hehir's commentary on a goal he scored against Galway in the 1973 football final What's he going to do? What's he going to do?"

Laois hurling manager and Tipperary legend Michael `Babs' Keating said he established a close relationship with Michael O'Hehir through his interest in horse racing. One of his fondest memories is that on the eve of a trip to the USA with Tipperary O'Hehir gave him two winners.

RTE commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh said that news of O'Hehir's death came as a great shock. "I knew him from the late 1940s and the remarkable thing about his career was his unbridled enthusiasm. He was never casual about any commentary and retained that enthusiasm through the six decades that spanned his career.

"An occasion that stands out for me was his final broadcast before his stroke in the 1985 All Ireland hurling semi final between Cork and an emerging Galway team. An hour before the game he forecast that the relatively unknown Galway half back line of Peter Finnerty, Tony Keady and Tony Kilkenny would hold the key to the game. This meticulous preparation was a great example to other broadcasters.

"His legacy was his professionalism and attention to detail. Everybody looked upon him as a friend. He was something special."