- This article is part of our Best of 2024 collection. It was originally published in June. Find more stories like this here.
For generations he was the voice of the GAA — Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh's passion, in-depth sporting knowledge, humour, sheer love of the game and unique turn of phrase kept the nation transfixed and on the edge of their seats.
It was announced in June that the renowned broadcaster died in hospital at the age of 93.
Here are some of his more memorable quotes:
Colin Corkery on the 45 lets go with the right boot. It's 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.
Anthony Lynch, the Cork corner-back, will be the last person to let you down – his people are undertakers.
…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 news stand 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…
Dublin have scored two points, one from the hand and one from the land.
He grabs the sliothar, he’s on the 50! He’s on the 40! He’s on the 30… he’s on the ground!
He kicks the ball lán san aer. Could’ve been a goal, could’ve been a point… it went wide.
In the first half they played with the wind. In the second half they played with the ball.
Stephen Byrne with the puck out for Offaly. Stephen, one of 12. All but one are here today, the one that’s missing is Mary, she’s at home minding the house. And the ball is dropping i lár na bpáirce…
Mike Houlihan for Limerick. Houlihan, the cattle jobber. 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!