Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
Mícheál Ó Muircheataigh was born near Dingle in Co. Kerry but now lives in Dublin. He is renowned as a sports commentator and is regarded by many as one of the best in the business. His knowledgeable, witty and clear commentaries have made the most popular GAA broadcaster of his generation.

Mícheál qualified as a primary school teacher and did his first commentary in 1950, without having received any training. Mícheál subsequently did an arts degree and taught at secondary level. Although he enjoyed teaching, he eventually decided to concentrate on broadcasting and joined RTÉ on a full-time basis in the early Eighties.

Mícheál has a great passion for sport, which you can hear in his voice when he is commentating. He has developed his own inimitable style and his witty asides during matches are often quoted. Here is one of his most famous:

"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!"


Rugadh Mícheál Ó Muircheataigh in aice leis an Daingean, Contae Chiarraí ach tá cónaí air i mBaile Átha Cliath anois. Tá cáil air mar thráchtaire spóirt agus measann go leor gurb é an duine is fearr ar fad sa ghnó sin. Bíonn a chuid tráchtaireachta i gcónaí soiléir, agus lán eolais agus grinn, agus is mar gheall ar na tréithe seo a bhfuil oiread tóra air mar thráchaire ar na cluichí Gaelacha.

Bhain Mícheál cáilíocht amach mar mhúinteoir bunscoile agus rinne sé a chéad tráchtaireacht i 1950 gan oiliúint ar bith a bheith faighte aige. Rinne sé céim ealaíon ina dhiaidh sin agus chuaigh sé leis an meánmhúinteoireacht. Cé gur thaitin an mhúinteoireacht leis mar ghairm, chinn sé sa deireadh ar dhíriú ar an gcraoltóireacht agus chuaigh sé i mbun oibre ar bhonn lánaimseartha le RTÉ ag tús na n-ochtóidí.

Tá Mícheál paiseanta faoin spórt, rud a bhíonn le brath óna ghuth agus é i mbun tráchtaireachta. Tá a stíl shuaithinseach féin forbartha aige agus is minic a bhíonn athrá á dhéanamh ar chuid de na nithe greannmhara a deir sé le linn cluichí. Seo sampla dá chuid grinn:

"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!".