Still looking fit and well, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh turns 90 today.
No doubt, the man from Dún Síon, near Dingle will be the recipient of many birthday wishes from near and far. Paying tribute, GAA president John Horan said: "To be known simply by your first name is one of the greatest accolades that you can have bestowed on you in Irish life.
"And so it has been for Micheál. No more explanation needed.
"Just like the great Micheál Ó Hehir before him and who the GAA were so fortunate to also have involved in promoting our games with a distinctive voice from behind the microphone, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh is as synonymous with Gaelic games as Croke Park, Semple Stadium, St Tiernach's Park or Dr Hyde Park.
"For those who couldn’t be there at a game – there was still the chance to feel like you were there.
"To surf the wave of excitement and drama and to be carried away and feel as much a part of the action as if you were sitting pitch side in person.
"That was Micheál’s gift."
🎧 'There's a streaker in the ground and he must be a Kilkenny man because he’s quite happy with the situation right now' 🎧@RTENewsAtOne with some classic Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh commentary to mark the legendary broadcaster's 90th birthday today #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/axjdssdjL0
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) August 20, 2020
And it's the gift of any great commentator. In Ireland, we have produced some great voices behind the mike. Away from sport, Gay Byrne and Terry Wogan stood out. Just behind that pair I would put Eamonn Andrews, Mike Murphy and Brendan Balfe.
In politics, the late Brian Farrell and John Bowman commanded a certain gravitas, while the recently retired Seán O'Rourke brought an acute political antennae to match an authoritative voice. Earlier this year, we said goodbye to Marian Finucane, who for over 40 years was an influential female voice on the airwaves.
Back to sport, Kerry native Peter O'Sullevan sits well alongside Ó Hehir and Ó Muircheartaigh in the way he put words to horse racing. For over 50 years, 'The Voice' was a stalwart on the BBC during a period in which the Corporation cared about the Sport of Kings.
Of course, it is all about the voice. That's what draws you in. Get the right phrasing and a pause which is just long enough and you have a soundbite that will be remembered.
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh has a number of quotes that are still remembered to this day during the period in which he was the main GAA commentator on RTÉ Radio. He took up the role in 1985 after Micheál Ó Hehir became ill following a debilitating stroke. In fact he began his broadcasting career in 1949, commentating on a Railway Cup final at Croke Park, while still a student at St Pat's in Drumcondra.
Ó Muircheartaigh was well regarded, though, perhaps it's not too harsh to say that he could go on a bit. A bit more brevity on occasion, perhaps?
Whether it's true or not, there was the story where the commentator was in the company of opinionated GAA fans in advance of an All-Ireland final. One wise crack uttered: "So Micheál, who do you think is going to win on Sunday"? The reply came: "I don't know, you're the experts".
To the point.
Just as he was when he interviewed a member of the Royal Family after the 1990 English Greyhound Derby semi-final.
We need your consent to load this SoundCloud contentWe use SoundCloud to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The race favourite was Druids Johno, owned by the late Patsy Byrne, in partnership with Prince Edward.
The protocol didn't exactly go to plan when Ó Muircheartaigh addresses the member of royalty as prince, rather than 'your royal highness'.
Here are some of Micheál's best quotes:
"Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: his father's from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji. Neither a hurling stronghold."
"Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner-back, will be the last person to let you down – his people are undertakers."
"The stopwatch has stopped. It’s up to God and the referee now. The referee is Pat Horan. God is God."
"I saw a few Sligo people at Mass in Gardiner Street this morning and the omens seem to be good for them. The priest was wearing the same colours as the Sligo jersey! 40 yards out on the Hogan Stand side of the field, Ciarán Whelan goes on a rampage… it’s a goal! So much for religion."
"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!"
In capturing the moment, George Hamilton's 'The Nation Holds Its Breath' will forever have a place in broadcasting folklore as David O'Leary stepped up to take that penalty.
Dawn Run, getting up that Cheltenham Hill to win the Gold Cup in 1986, was brilliantly described by Dessie Scahill.
Marty Morrissey gave us that 'Holy Moses' moment as Domhnall O'Donovan rescued Clare late on in the 2013 All-Ireland hurling final.
In rugby, Michael Corcoran has done passion with full throttle in describing Irish success, both at provincial and international level.
Each of the above commentators all have their own style, their own little ticks. If there is a criticism of many of the modern day commentators it's that they don't stand out, don't have a style and therefore throw too much verbiage, with just as much emphasis, at the pictures in front of them. That's where a good steer from others is advised.
Of course if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Hats off then to those who can give a flawless call on a 5-furlong handicap, with 30 runners, a high-scoring hurling encounter, or on the more sedate game of bowls.
You can only but applaud those who do it well.
I'll leave you with two pieces.
First is the late Peter Jones of the BBC describing the aftermath of what happened at Hillsborough in 1989. After that an extract from 'Micheál', that celebrates the life of the man who has reached his ninth decade.
