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Mary McAleese: "You never knew what was going to come next with Micheál." Haydn West/PA Archive
Micheál

McAleese laments retirement of ‘wonderful’ Ó Muircheartaigh

The President leads the tributes to the soon-to-retire gaelic games commentator.

PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE has led the tributes to legendary broadcaster Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh, who announced his impending retirement earlier this morning.

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, McAleese said it was the “saddest thing to think” that the 80-year-old’s legendary commentaries would be coming to an end.

“He was a wonderful broadcaster, a brilliant voice with a ferocious enthruasism for gaelic games,” she said.

“I think also most of us listened because not only was the commentary always brilliant, exciting, and accurate, but you never knew what was going to come next with Micheál.

“You never forget him talking about Seán Óg Ó hAilpín’s, and then saying, ‘His father’s from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji – neither a hurling stronghold!’ Most of us went into rakes of laughter and lost the next ten minutes of the game!”

The president – a Down native – described Ó Muircheartaigh as “a figure of pure goodness, kindness, and decency – a pure genius” and said she would hope to “borrow some of his stoicism” when trying to remain neutral during Sunday’s All-Ireland final when her native county face Down.
“I know that Micheál is retiring, but I’ve a funny feeling there’s plenty of extra time in him!,” she concluded.
Earlier, GAA president Christy Cooney extended the association’s “gratitude” to Ó Muircheartaigh.

“As if Sunday’s football final prospect wasn’t enticing enough, there is the added attraction of being able to say that you were in Croke Park or that you listened to what will be the final commentary of a legendary broadcaster,” he said.

“The quality and attraction of his commentaries on such a regular and consistent basis down through the years mean his lyrical descriptions are woven into the fabric of our games.”

O’Conney said Ó Muircheartaigh was synonymous with the “ebb and flow” of gaelic games and that the commentator retained a unique insight into the sports because of the unique relationship he held with players and managers alike.

“People often wondered on the retirement of Micheál Ó Hehir how he would be replaced in the commentary box. I think we are now entitled to ponder over who it is that will attempt to fill this broadcasting legend’s shoes when his commentary duties end.

“Míle buíochas, a Mhícíl, agus go mairfidh tú an céad.”

Taoiseach Brian Cowen also sent his best wishes to the broadcaster after this morning’s announcement, saying he would be truly missed.

Ó Muircheartaigh announced this morning that he would be retiring at the end of the coming season, having celebrated his 80th birthday last month.

His commentary at this Sunday’s All-Ireland football final will be the broadcaster’s 52nd and final showpiece, and will hang up the mic for good after covering the two International Rules tests between Ireland and Australia in late October.