Today marks the 90th birthday of legendary GAA commentator Mícheál Ó'Muircheartaigh, and we wanted to celebrate his life and career with some images from over the years.
The Kerry native has had a career spanning six decades, and is considered the 'Voice of the GAA', in the same mould as the great Mícheál Ó'Hehir before him.
Ó'Muircheartaigh retired from broadcasting a decade ago, and remains in good health. GAA President John Horan described him as a "national institution" in a statement to mark his milestone.
A voice that's synonymous with our Games, and a man who embodies everything it means to be a member of the GAA; today, on his 90th birthday, we say lá breithe sona dhuit, a Mhichil! pic.twitter.com/Ad03Ez4Z5q
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 20, 2020
We've had a number of oppotunities to speak with Mícheál over the years, and he is certainly one of those people on whom we hang on every word when he's in full flow.
Here are just some of his quotes from over the years that make him the best at what he did.
Here is Gary Breen revealing his GAA connections to Mícheál last year.
Here is Mícheál waxing lyrical about Antarctic explorer Tom Crean during the Kerry Mount Rushmore selection.
A special OTB AM interview here from 2018 as Ger and Eoin chatted to Mícheál about his career:
Below are some images from across the great man's career:
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WELCOMING HOME A CHAMPION
23 July 2019; The 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry, left, is presented with a Clara GAA jersey by Michéal O Muircheartaigh at his homecoming event in Clara in Offaly. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile===
PREPARATION IS KEY
29 January 2006; Micheal O Muircheartaigh checks his notes in advance of the game. O'Byrne Cup Final, Meath v Offaly, Pairc Tailteann, Navan, Co. Meath. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE===
A PILLAR OF IRISH LIFE
14 January 2007; Dublin manager Paul Caffrey, right, fills in the changes on the match programme in the dressing room before the start of the game for RTE commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh. O'Byrne Cup Quarter-Final, Westmeath v Dublin, Cusack Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE===
CHANGING TIMES
7 June 2009; RTE Gaelic Games Commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh checks out the new Kerry dressing rooms before the game. Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final, Kerry v Cork, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE===
LAST ALL-IRELAND - 2010
19 September 2010; RTE Gaelic Games Commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh jumps for joy on the field before commentating on his last All-Ireland Senior Championship Final. GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final, Down v Cork, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE===
CAREER SUMMIT
16 May 2014; Legendary GAA Commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh lifts the Sam Maguire Cup on the Summit of Carrauntoohil, MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Co. Kerry, with programme director and former Galway star Alan Kerins, left, and Tom Prendergast, 1969 Kerry All- Ireland winner, during the 'Sam to Summit' in aid of the Alan Kerins Project which saw Sam Maguire and representatives and players with All-Ireland football medals from each of the 32 counties reach the top of Irelands highest mountain. Carrauntoohil, Co. Kerry. Picture credit: Valerie O'Sullivan / SPORTSFILE===
VINTAGE
Michéal O'Muircheartaigh, RTE Commentator. 4/3/98. Photograph © Ray McManus SPORTSFILE.===
NATURAL HABITAT
30 October 2010; RTÉ match commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, with co-commentator Bernard Flynn and his daughter Doireann, during the final moments of the game. Irish Daily Mail International Rules Series 2nd Test, Ireland v Australia, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE===
BONUS
Some great stories from Mícheál here at one of our roadshows at the beginning of 2019.
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