Micheal O Muircheartaigh has given us some iconic commentary over the years.
The 'voice of Gaelic games' turns 90 today, having commentated on some of the most memorable moments in Irish sporting history for over six decades.
GAA President John Horan said today: “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."
To mark Micheal's birthday, the GAA have put together a list of some of his best quotes over the years.
Here they are:
Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: his father’s from Fermanagh, his mother’s from Fiji. Neither a hurling stronghold.
…and Brian Dooher is down injured. And while he is, I’ll tell ye a little story: I was in Times Square in New York last week, and I was missing the Championship back home. So I approached a newsstand and I said, “I suppose ye wouldn’t have The Kerryman, would ye?” To which, the Egyptian behind the counter turned to me and he said, “Do you want the North Kerry edition, or the South Kerry edition?” He had both – so I bought both. And Dooher is back on his feet…
Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner-back, will be the last person to let you down – his people are undertakers.
Colin Corkery on the 45 lets go with the right boot. Its over the bar. This man shouldn’t be playing football. He’s made an almost Lazarus-like recovery from a heart condition. Lazarus was a great man but he couldn’t kick points like Colin Corkery.
The stopwatch has stopped. It’s up to God and the referee now. The referee is Pat Horan. God is God.
Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation.
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.
He grabs the sliothar, he’s on the 50! He’s on the 40! He’s on the 30… he’s on the ground!
Pat Fox out to the forty and grabs the sliothar. I bought a dog from his father last week. Fox turns and sprints for goal… the dog ran a great race last Tuesday in Limerick… Fox, to the 21, fires a shot – it goes to the left and wide… and the dog lost as well.
In the first half they played with the wind. In the second half they played with the ball.
1-5 to 0-8… well, from Lapland to the Antarctic, that’s level scores in any man’s language.
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!
Teddy looks at the ball, the ball looks at Teddy…
Mike Houlihan for Limerick. He had his jaw broken by a kick from a bullock two months ago. He’s back now. ‘Twas some bullock that broke Mike Houlihan’s jaw!
