The death of GAA commentator legend Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh marks ‘the end of an era’, his funeral has heard.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh died on Tuesday morning at the age of 93 in a Dublin hospital, surrounded by family members.
His funeral mass was held at St Mary’s Church in Dingle, Co Kerry, before the burial at St Brendan’s Cemetery.
In his homily, Father Michael Moynihan said Mr Ó Muircheartaigh was a “grandfather figure to our nation for over 60 years”.
“It felt like the end of an era,” he said.
“He was part of the life in our kitchens and sitting rooms as we gathered to follow football and hurling matches.
“Even though he was retired since 2010, we felt that a chapter in our lives had closed (when he died), never to be reopened again.”
He added the commentator’s life was “filled with passion, dedication and an enduring love for the Irish language, for education, for sport and for culture”.
Legendary commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh, 2011. Image: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.Mr Ó Muircheartaigh arranged several years ago to have his casket made by the Lynch family undertakers in Co Cork, according to his son.
This was a nod to one of the commentator’s many iconic lines about Cork footballer Anthony Lynch, who he said was “the last person to let you down – his people are undertakers”.
President Michael D Higgins previously said the broadcaster had unrivalled commentary talents.
“He turned every match into an epic tale, his commentaries capturing like no other the sense of occasion, the atmosphere in the stadium and on the terraces, the ebb and flow of the play and of every movement,” he said.
In loving memory of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, one of the legendary voices of Gaelic games, whose passion and distinctive commentary brought the spirit of the games to life for countless supporters. Beyond his iconic broadcasts, Mícheál was a cherished cultural ambassador,… pic.twitter.com/kVJn7Qqutv
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 29, 2024
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was always impressed by the commentator's geographical knowledge of the GAA.
“If you had mentioned an area in the country, Mícheál would immediately tell you what GAA club was there,” he said.
“Next, he’d tell you when they won the county final or who that great player was. I mean, it was extraordinary.”
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh is survived by his wife Helena and their eight children.
