“2016 HAS ALREADY been a remarkable year on the international stage. The music world lost David Bowie and Prince. In sport, the greatest of all Muhammad Ali passed away and he too graced this fabulous Croke Park arena on July 19 1972.”
Marty Morrissey’s national address yesterday was quite something.
The RTÉ broadcaster was on commentary duty for Radio 1 alongside Donal Óg Cusack at yesterday’s All-Ireland senior hurling final. Morrissey evoked strong imagery and emotion as he welcomed the listeners to Croke Park.
Morrissey spoke about all those who left us in 2016, including music icons, sporting legends and heroes of the GAA. He poetically described the warriors down on the field as they marched behind the Artane Boys Band and summed up the noise of the 82,000 souls who crammed into the venue.
But most of all the Clare man gave a warm welcome all the Irish listening in from foreign shores.
“I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. If you had to leave home because of unemployment, or you just wanted to see the world, don’t feel left out, because you are with us today in spirit and in mind. We are thinking of you. We are Irish and we are family.”
Former Tipperary footballer Colin O’Riordan, who has embarked on an AFL career with the Sydney Swans in Australia, paid tribute to Morrissey’s commentary this morning on Twitter.
It’s well worth a listen:
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