Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh RIP

All involved with Munster GAA were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh on Tuesday June 25th.

A native of West Kerry, Mícheál began his broadcasting career with a test commentary on a Railway Cup Hurling match at Croke Park in 1949, the first game of hurling he ever witnessed. From then to his retirement following the 2010 All-Ireland Football Final between Cork and Down, his was the voice for many generations of Gaelic Games supporters.

Munster GAA Chairman Ger Ryan said “Mícheál was one of the most knowledgeable, most respected and best loved Gaels. His unique style, quick wit and sheer enthusiasm for our games always left the listener in no doubt about what was happening and wanting more, irrespective of the quality of the match.

His love of and use of the Irish language was legendary and helped in no small way to keep our native tongue to the forefront of all who listened to his thousands of commentaries over the years.

In Munster, Mícheál’s commentaries on the Munster Hurling Championship will live long in the memory as he described the feats of Christy Ring, Jimmy Smyth, Joe McKenna, Pat Fox, Ken McGrath and so many others to those listening far and wide.

Mícheál also broadcasted many memorable Munster Football Finals, none more so than during Kerry’s Golden Years teams in the 1970s and 1980s and their annual deciders with old rivals Cork.

What a privilege it was to have Mícheál behind the microphone for so many years. He has earned his rest.

On behalf of Munster GAA, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Helena and his eight children along with his wide circle of family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

RIP.ie Notice

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Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh RIP

Bhí an-bhrón ar gach éinne bainteach le CLG na Mumhan nuair a chualamar faoi bhás an chraoltóra cháiliúil Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Dé Máirt 25 Meitheamh.

As Ciarraí Thiar ó dhúchas é, chuir Mícheál tús lena ghairm craoltóireachta le tráchtaireacht trialach ar chluiche Iomána Chorn an Bhóthair Iarainn i bPáirc an Chrócaigh i 1949, an chéad chluiche iománaíochta a chonaic sé riamh. Ó shin go dtí a scor tar éis Chluiche Ceannais Peile na hÉireann 2010 idir Corcaigh agus an Dún, ba eisean guth na gcluichí do go leor de lucht tacaíochta & de ghlúnta CLG.

Dúirt Cathaoirleach CLG na Mumhan, Gearóid Ó Riain, “Bhí Mícheál ar cheann de na Gaeil le heolas as cuimse & bhí meas is cion as cuimse air.Bhí stíl uathúil, deisbhéalaí agus díograis dár gcluichí aige i gcónaí a d’fhág an lucht éisteachta gan aon dabht faoi cad a bhí ag tarlú ar an bpáirc imeartha agus iad ag tnúth le tuilleadh léaspairte, beag beann ar chaighdeán an chluiche.

Bhí clú agus cáil ar a ghrá dár dteanga agus ar úsáid na Gaeilge, agus bhí ról suantasach aige i gcur chun cinn ár dteanga dhúchais agus í á coinneáil i lár an aonaigh aige do gach éinne a d’éist lena mílte tráchtaireachtaí thar na blianta.’’

I gCúige Mumhan, mairfidh tráchtaireachtaí Mhíchíl ar Chraobhchomórtas Iomána na Mumhan go buan agus é ag cur síos ar ghaisce leithéidí Christy Ring, Jimmy Smyth, Joe McKenna, Pat Fox, Ken McGrath agus alán eile nach iad, dóibh siúd a bhí ag éisteacht leis ó chian is ó chóngar.

Chomh maith leis sin, is minic a roinn sé a smaointe linn thar na blianta ag craoladh Chluiche Ceannais Peile suantasach i gCúige Mumhan, go háirithe le linn Ré Órga Chiarraí sna 1970í agus sna 1980í agus é i mbun tráchtaireachta ar na cluichí bliantúla lena gcéile comhraic Corcaigh.

Ba mhór an phribhléid dúinn é go raibh Mícheál ag an micreafón inár dteannta thar na blianta fada. Tá sos & suaimhneas tuillte aige.

Thar ceann CLG na Mumhan, déanaimid comhbhrón ó chroí lena bhean Helena agus lena ochtar páistí chomh maith lena chiorcal leathan teaghlaigh agus cairde.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”