Michael O’Muircheartaigh

£34.50

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was born in Dún Síon just outside Dingle, County Kerry, in 1930. He was christened Michael Moriarty and was the fourth child in a family of eight. Like many homes in Ireland at the time Ó Muircheartaigh’s house contained no radio. His earliest memory of listening to a match commentary was at a neighbour’s house in 1939. From that point on he was fascinated by the radio and the voice of Micheál O’Hehir in particular. Mícheál grew up on the family farm and was educated locally in Dingle. In September 1945 he began studying at Coláiste Íosagáin in the County Cork Gaeltacht where he was in training to be a teacher. It was at this all-Irish school that his name changed from Michael Moriarty to the Irish version Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. In September 1948 he began the final year of his teacher training at St.Patricks College in Dublin. In early March 1949 Mícheál, along with ten other students from the college, and several from other colleges, did a test commentary on a hurling game at Croke Park. Each student had to commentate for five minutes in Irish and the most successful would be selected for further commentary work. Mícheál had never seen a game of hurling before in his life. But he knew that those adjudicators judging his commentary were not able to see the game: Ó Muircheartaigh was the one selected and his first assignment was to provide an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup final on St. Patrick’s Day.
He continued teaching up until the 1980s, when he became a full-time broadcaster with .
For the early part of his broadcasting career Mícheál commentated on Minor GAA matches in the Irish language. He also replaced the legendary Micheál O’Hehir when he was not available to commentate. Eventually when O’Hehir was forced to retire in the mid-1980s Mícheál took over as the station’s premier radio commentator. He developed his own inimitable style of commentary and his accent is unmistakably that of a native Irish speaker. He is a true lover of and it is reflected in the enthusiasm he brings to matches. His unusual turn of phrase has made him a much loved broadcaster and often imitated character. He has become legendary in Ireland for his unusual turns of phrase in the heat of the moment while commentating. Today he commentates on . In 2004 he published his autobiography, ‘From Dún Sion to Croke Park ‘.
Ó Muircheartaigh’s commentaries for ‘s Sunday Sport show won him a Jacob’s Award in 1992. He was also the Parade Grand Marshal for the 2007 St. Patrick’s Festival – having been given the honour by the chairman of the Festival in recognition and appreciation of his unique contribution to Irish culture.
On September 16, 2010 he announced his retirement from broadcasting. The last All-Ireland he commentated on was the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final on 19 September 2010. On October 29, 2010 it was announced that the 2nd International Rules test at would be Ó Muircheartaigh’s final broadcast as commentator on . On October 30, 2010 Micheál commentated his final commentary alongside RTÉ’s pundit and former footballer .
He is contracted to officiate at the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race finish in Galway when he will commentate on the finish to the round the world race, to give it a uniquely Irish conclusion. Sailing has been a long time hobby of O Muircheartaigh.
Ó Muircheartaigh’s commentaries for RTE Radio 1s Sunday Sport show won him a Jacob’s Award in 1992. He was also the Parade Grand Marshal for the 2007 St. Patrick’s Festival – having been given the honour by the chairman of the Festival in recognition and appreciation of his unique contribution to Irish culture.
On September 16, 2010 he announced his retirement from broadcasting. The last All-Ireland he commentated on was the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final on 19 September 2010. On October 29, 2010 it was announced that the 2nd International Rules test at Croke Park would be Ó Muircheartaigh’s final broadcast as commentator on RTE Radio 1 On October 30, 2010 Micheál commentated his final commentary alongside RTÉ’s pundit and former Meath footballer Bernard Flynn.
He is contracted to officiate at the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race finish in Galway when he will commentate on the finish to the round the world race, to give it a uniquely Irish conclusion. Sailing has been a long time hobby of Mícheál. Each print is individually numbered and signed by Peter Deighan, and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity which is also signed by the artist.

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