The well-known and much loved Gaelic games commentator, Mr Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh (Michael Moriarty), has passed away at the age of 93.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh sadly passed away this morning, while in the care of staff at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh was born in Dún Síon, near Dingle (Daingean Uí Chúis), in Co Kerry in 1930. Educated locally, he grew up on the family farm, before graduating from both Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Bhúirne (Cork Gaeltacht) and St Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin, as a teacher. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952, from University College Dublin, remaining employed teaching economics, accountancy and Irish, in primary and secondary Christian Brothers schools in Dublin, until the mid-1980s, when he accepted the post of full-time broadcaster with Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).
Following a successful competition, to commentate in the Irish language; his first assignment for RTÉ was to provide an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup Final, held on St Patrick’s Day.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh married Ms Helena McDowell in 1970 and together they raised eight children; Éamonn, Niamh, Aonghus, Cormac, Neasa, Nuala, Éadaoin and Doireann.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh later took over as RTÉ Radio 1’s premier radio commentator, following the retirement of fellow broadcaster Mr Míchael O’Hehir in 1985.
His last All-Ireland GAA game as commentator, came in 2010, when he commentated on the All-Ireland final between Cork and Down; retiring from broadcasting in October of that same year.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh had been awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway in 1999 for his lifetime service to broadcasting.
He was awarded the only All Star of 2020, shortly after his 90th birthday.
Ní fheicfimid a leithéid arís. In ár gcroíthe go deo.
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