Marty Morrissey has paid an emotional tribute to Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh after the legendary commentator's death at the age of 93.
The proud Kerryman was the voice of GAA for well over half a century and enjoyed a 61-year career at RTE where he provided the soundtrack for some of the most iconic moments in hurling and Gaelic football history.
He put down the mic for the final time in 2010 but had still been a prominent figure at games well into his late 80's and early 90's. He passed away at the Mater Hospital this morning just three months shy of his 94th birthday.
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The Dingle native's death has led to an outpouring of support from GAA fans far and wide and Morrissey has added his voice to the tributes, proclaiming that Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh "will live forever."
"His journey in broadcasting earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest career of a live match commentator," said a clearly emotional Morrissey, who worked with Ó Muircheartaigh for many years on RTE before the Kerryman retired in 2010.
"Micheal was a special man with a special broadcasting talent.
"Today Micheal O Muircheartaigh died.
"But the magic of his voice and the memories he gave us will mean in our minds, he will live forever."
A schoolteacher for much of his career, he did his first commentary for RTE in 1949, in Irish, for the Railway Cup final and retired at the age of 80 after the 2010 All-Ireland football final, in which Cork beat Down.
Speaking ahead of that final commentary, he said: “I am not an emotional person, I look forward to it like I look forward to every game I ever did.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris said in a statement: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I today learned of the death of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. The word 'legend' gets used too often, but for Mícheál, it is almost not enough.
"His voice, his colour, his excitement, his love of sport, his turn of phrase were often as exhilarating as the action he was describing on the pitch as the audience held its breath for what Mícheál would say next.
"He also had a humour you could not learn, 'Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation.'
"For a generation of the Irish diaspora, Mícheál was also a treasured link and the voice of home as they listened to GAA across the world. In person, he was a gentleman to his fingertips and filled a room with a quiet and dignified aura. May he rest in peace."
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