The great Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh has passed away today. The Kerryman is an icon of Irish sports broadcasting. Thanks to an AIB production entitled Jeff & Kammy's Journey To Croker, he also got to rub shoulders with some legendary English football broadcasters: namely Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara
Kamara and Stelling have made a number of trips to Ireland in 2017 to immerse themselves in the sport ahead of their challenge to provide commentary on the memorable Dublin v Mayo All-Ireland football final of that year, and along their way, they received some advice from the doyen of GAA broadcasting.
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh offered the English duo commentary tips during an under-15 game in Dingle, after which both Kamara and Stelling were blown away by their mentor.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
Stelling was famously assiduous in his preparation for Soccer Saturday, yet even he was in awe of Ó Muircheartaigh's depth of knowledge.
"Michael's knowledge is beyond compare", enthused Stelling back in 2017. "It's hard to think of a commentator in any sport who knows as much about their sport. And, by the way, to have that recall at his age is incredible. At my age, I can't remember what happened yesterday!".
Kamara was equally impressed, recounting a line to illustrate just how unique the Kerryman's knowledge truly is.
He sounds like poetry when he's talking, he has an amazing voice. But it's his knowledge that impresses me. Not just of the players, but of the players' families. It shows that this is more than just two teams battling, but about their families and communities.
It was an absolute eye-opener. We met him in Dingle at an under-16s match. To a person in the Dingle team, he knew their uncles, grandads, he knew their occupation. He even mentioned that one of the player's grandfathers was the first ever taxi driver in Dingle. He could name him too.
That comes from an absolute love of doing your job, and it made me sit down and have a think about my preparation for work. And not only has Micheál have that amazing knowledge in his head, he sends it out in a poetic voice.
I would have loved to listen to him in his heyday.
Stelling also recalled the line from Dingle independent of Kamara, and also hailed the extent of Ó Muircheartaigh's knowledge and preparation. Both have lessons to take back to Soccer Saturday, although Stelling does stress he won't subject Paul Merson to pronouncing O'Muircheartaigh's name on air.
That would be cruel, Merse struggles with names of one syllable!
The Jeff And Kammy's Road To Croker series also gave us some memorable interactions between the broadcasting greats.
Kammy was kind enough to pass along his sympathies on Twitter this afternoon.
Just heard the sad news from @NickyByrne & @Cormac88 that the legendary commentator Michael O Muircheartaigh has passed away. Myself & @JeffStelling spent a cracking week with Meehaul as he educated us on the GAA. We went from grassroots to the All Ireland final. RIP Michael you… pic.twitter.com/8K7LBEwt5W
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) June 25, 2024
Originally written by Gavin Cooney in 2017
