Two kings.
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s iconic commentary lines and that unique tone will forever live on in GAA lore.
One of our more recent memories of Ó Muircheartaigh came when he was a guest on the Ray D’Arcy show a couple of years ago alongside Cork’s Seán Óg Ó hAilpín.
The commentator was at his fabled best on the evening but the memory that stands out is Seán Óg’s tribute to the man alongside him, when he let O Muircheartaigh know just how treasured he was not just by those listening to and watching games, but also by those who were playing.
“The main reason why players loved you is that we all know we don’t play our A-game every game,” said the Na Piarsaigh club man.
“But even on player’s bad days, you were very kind. Lines like ‘Oh Seán Óg, I’ve seen him have better days.'”
'He transported @crokepark into our living rooms', Sean Óg Ó hAilpín talks about why Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was so important to so many growing up in the 80's and 90's and why the players loved his kind commentary! The #RayDarcyShow is live now! pic.twitter.com/1MMn4TSLA6
— The Ray D'Arcy Show (@RTERayDarcyShow) February 10, 2018
Two great GAA men. Two men who’s lives have been steeped in our national game for as long as we can remember.
It was a brilliant watch.
Seán Óg described just how much he looked forward to listening to Micheál’s GAA coverage on the radio of a Sunday. He spoke from the heart. He spoke for all who lived through those days.
“He transported Croke Park into our living rooms,” said Ó hAilpín. “He did that for decades. Even when games were on tv, and I was out and was driving and couldn’t watch a game and was listening to Micheál on the radio, it was like I was watching the game on the screen. Your knowledge, Micheál, bhí sé dochreidthe.”
Micheál appreciated that. We all did.
Micheál then lauded Séan Óg’s skills as a hurler like only he can.
'As a player he was as good as you can get. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh reflects back on Seán Óg Ó hAilpín's Cork hurling successes. The #RayDarcyShow is live now @rteone, tune in! pic.twitter.com/2EKtF9hbrS
— The Ray D'Arcy Show (@RTERayDarcyShow) February 10, 2018
These are the moments, the characters that make us love the GAA.
This article was originally published in 2018.
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