Deserves its own thread. The greatest commentator or all time in any sport. The word legend doesn't do the man justice.
RIP
And here is the great mans finest quotes from an old article...
https://www.the42.ie/micheal-isms-the-best-o-muircheartaigh-quotes-40543-Oct2010/
Who remembers turning the volume on the TV down and listening to the commentary on the radio.
Quote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:53:45 PMAnd here is the great mans finest quotes from an old article...
https://www.the42.ie/micheal-isms-the-best-o-muircheartaigh-quotes-40543-Oct2010/
Who remembers turning the volume on the TV down and listening to the commentary on the radio.
What a commentator he was. Untouchable
Quote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:49:07 PMDeserves its own thread. The greatest commentator or all time in any sport. The word legend doesn't do the man justice.
RIP
Would put the following on mount rushmore along with the great Mícheál.
Brian Moore (groundball), Jim Ross (WWE), Peter O'Sullevan (Racing) and Bill McLaren (Rugby)
Quote from: tiempo on June 25, 2024, 02:03:02 PMQuote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:49:07 PMDeserves its own thread. The greatest commentator or all time in any sport. The word legend doesn't do the man justice.
RIP
Would put the following on mount rushmore along with the great Mícheál.
Brian Moore (groundball), Jim Ross (WWE), Peter O'Sullevan (Racing) and Bill McLaren (Rugby)
And Sid Waddell
Was up at our club a couple of times, was interviewed by him, briefly, as we had a double club final appearance at Croke park with our hurlers and Footballers in our centenary year..
He just sat in the club like one of your old clubmen, blended in like a regular, having the chat and recalling stories
Got him to sign his book, which I might have another read. the stories in it are great
A proper legend of the GAA and broadcasting. An enthusiast and an entertainer.
I'd hoist Peter Allis onto the elite pedestal too. He wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but when there was only a handful of groups left on the course, he could sustain the correct atmosphere.
An absolute legend of a man. RIP.
Often remember being at a Connacht Final in 80s/early 90s and someone would still have a radio (wireless as it was called in those days) so as not to miss his commentary, and no one would complain with it crackling away, not matter how high the tension. Those Meath/Dublin replays of 1991 were classics on the radio. We definitely won't see or hear his likes again. Rest in peace, Mícheál.
Motson, Davies, Moore,
Maskell
Ted Lowe
Jimmy Magee
Don't mean to derail thread, back to the great man. I'm away to read his quotes again 🤓
Quote from: Truthsayer on June 25, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on June 25, 2024, 02:03:02 PMQuote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:49:07 PMDeserves its own thread. The greatest commentator or all time in any sport. The word legend doesn't do the man justice.
RIP
Would put the following on mount rushmore along with the great Mícheál.
Brian Moore (groundball), Jim Ross (WWE), Peter O'Sullevan (Racing) and Bill McLaren (Rugby)
And Sid Waddell
Off topic but couldnt hold a candle to those listed above.
RIP Michael
A sad day for the sport with such a legend passing. What passion and pure wisdom he gave to the game he loved.
Lovely tribute from Chris Kamara on X
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on June 25, 2024, 03:33:50 PMLovely tribute from Chris Kamara on X
and Jeff Stelling too.
Quote from: NAG1 on June 25, 2024, 03:15:28 PMQuote from: Truthsayer on June 25, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on June 25, 2024, 02:03:02 PMQuote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:49:07 PMDeserves its own thread. The greatest commentator or all time in any sport. The word legend doesn't do the man justice.
RIP
Would put the following on mount rushmore along with the great Mícheál.
Brian Moore (groundball), Jim Ross (WWE), Peter O'Sullevan (Racing) and Bill McLaren (Rugby)
And Sid Waddell
Off topic but couldnt hold a candle to those listed above.
RIP Michael
Not sure how it's off topic. Great commentators were listed and imo Sid Waddell was one as well.
Ps: It's Micheál not Michael.
Was wonder where Sid went, great to have him back ;)
Quote from: Truthsayer on June 25, 2024, 04:29:36 PMQuote from: NAG1 on June 25, 2024, 03:15:28 PMQuote from: Truthsayer on June 25, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on June 25, 2024, 02:03:02 PMQuote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:49:07 PMDeserves its own thread. The greatest commentator or all time in any sport. The word legend doesn't do the man justice.
RIP
Would put the following on mount rushmore along with the great Mícheál.
Brian Moore (groundball), Jim Ross (WWE), Peter O'Sullevan (Racing) and Bill McLaren (Rugby)
And Sid Waddell
Off topic but couldnt hold a candle to those listed above.
RIP Michael
Not sure how it's off topic. Great commentators were listed and imo Sid Waddell was one as well.
Ps: It's Micheál not Michael.
Two fadas actually. Me Hall.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on June 25, 2024, 04:55:20 PMWas wonder where Sid went, great to have him back ;)
Sid went to that great oche in the sky 🎯
He replaced Michael O'Hehir, which were some big shoes to fill.
He visited my South Derry primary school before the 1993 final. I have a newspaper cutting of it.
I'd have liked a wee drop of Salad Cream on his ham sandwiches but apart from that a class apart.
Hadn't a clue what you were on about Tony, just got sent a link. Quality 🤓
Laying out the tomatoes in a formation.
As a mark of respect to the great man I forthwith will never cut triangles again 🤝😆
Quote from: Itchy on June 25, 2024, 01:53:45 PMAnd here is the great mans finest quotes from an old article...
https://www.the42.ie/micheal-isms-the-best-o-muircheartaigh-quotes-40543-Oct2010/
Who remembers turning the volume on the TV down and listening to the commentary on the radio.
So true, remember listening to Munster Hurling matches, he took things to a different level.
Was it him that said that "And that's Joe Rabbit chasing Pat Fox in tbe corner, wow I never thought you'd see a rabbit chase a fox"
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on June 26, 2024, 07:32:53 AMWas it him that said that "And that's Joe Rabbit chasing Pat Fox in tbe corner, wow I never thought you'd see a rabbit chase a fox"
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!
Quote from: Derryman forever on June 26, 2024, 08:17:12 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on June 26, 2024, 07:32:53 AMWas it him that said that "And that's Joe Rabbit chasing Pat Fox in tbe corner, wow I never thought you'd see a rabbit chase a fox"
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!
Funnily enough the other night I was refereeing a game and there was two lads with animal nicknames playing on opposing teams, one called tiger and the other rhino..
Country lads have some nicknames all the same
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on June 26, 2024, 09:29:24 AMQuote from: Derryman forever on June 26, 2024, 08:17:12 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on June 26, 2024, 07:32:53 AMWas it him that said that "And that's Joe Rabbit chasing Pat Fox in tbe corner, wow I never thought you'd see a rabbit chase a fox"
2nd post on this thread has a link to some of his more famous commentaries, including the fox and rabbit one.
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!
Funnily enough the other night I was refereeing a game and there was two lads with animal nicknames playing on opposing teams, one called tiger and the other rhino..
Country lads have some nicknames all the same
Quote from: Itchy on June 26, 2024, 10:07:15 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on June 26, 2024, 09:29:24 AMQuote from: Derryman forever on June 26, 2024, 08:17:12 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on June 26, 2024, 07:32:53 AMWas it him that said that "And that's Joe Rabbit chasing Pat Fox in tbe corner, wow I never thought you'd see a rabbit chase a fox"
2nd post on this thread has a link to some of his more famous commentaries, including the fox and rabbit one.
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!
Funnily enough the other night I was refereeing a game and there was two lads with animal nicknames playing on opposing teams, one called tiger and the other rhino..
Country lads have some nicknames all the same
One of the nephews is friends with a "Badger".
He's a country lad.
Asked him my nephew where the nickname came from and got the standard teenager "Dunno" and shrug.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on June 25, 2024, 02:17:07 PMWas up at our club a couple of times, was interviewed by him, briefly, as we had a double club final appearance at Croke park with our hurlers and Footballers in our centenary year..
He just sat in the club like one of your old clubmen, blended in like a regular, having the chat and recalling stories
Got him to sign his book, which I might have another read. the stories in it are great
Met him once and that description of him as being like an old clubmen really nails it. Totally matches the vibe he gave off, down to having the chat about who I was related to and games he remembered from years back relatives had played in. Absolute gentleman.
Met him a few times for work and he was so easy-going and a gentleman. It's like he wore his greatness with levity. He didn't do fuss (even though we wanted to fuss over him)
One thing that struck me was his posture funnily enough. He was in his late 80s and so tall still. He was looming physically but it added up to such a calming presence.
A genuine legend - RIP.
I think this is class... just sat back and absorbed it. What an icon he was..
https://youtu.be/7_nbXmB6hTI?si=J3kzxGai-MGH84nB
"And here's Sylvie Linnane, who drives a digger on a Monday and turns into one on a Sunday"
Mícheál equalled summer. RIP.
The greatest. RIP
Apart from his preferred sandwich, a bit too communist for my taste (but at least he got to ate them frequently on AI final day) he was and will always be legend.
RIP Mícheál.
A voice for the ages, he followed in the footsteps of Mícheál O'Hehir, and what an act to follow he was. But with his earthy Kerry accent, Mícheál lit up Sunday afternoons for a generation, unrivalled, we will never see the likes of him again.
He had a way of saying the obvious, but not sounding stupid. Everything was retold simply. He brought tales and anecdotes to add life and colour to his commentary. He was not ashamed of his Kerry accent and used it tied in with the Gaeilge to great effect. Many have tried this recipe and have failed. Much has to do with his audience who have now changed. I'd say he made many a boring game sound good.
A Legend RIP
Read a few stories on twitter from random people about him. There was one about a young girl doing leaving cert who emailed him for help on some kind of project and he drove to her school to help her and another about a mother and child going to the childrens hospital in Dublin when he ran into them and he helped and accompanied her all day. I know you read made up stuff on twitter but these would have been genuine and it would take a very decent sort to do those kind of things. Not just a voice for the ages but a thoroughly decent human being too.
I used to find myself in the car on a Sunday listening to him. If any other radio commentator came on I would be disappointed, because he was so good and some tried to imitate his style and there were a number of "Poor Man's Michaels" on the go who were not authentic.
I remember having a good laugh to myself at him commentating on a Laois game back in Micko's time and the ball went out over the sideline and Micko caught it clean. He described this wonderful catch almost as if it was part of the play.
Someone said he couldn't have worked with a Co-commentator as it would have broken his flow and I recall some instances in later times when he was paired with a co-commentator and it was frustrating for the listener also.
Different times.
Program about the great man on rte1 at moment
Nice one itchy
Mícheál was a legend of course. The unfortunate part of his legacy was the amount of local radio commentators who tried to copy his style...and failed badly.