A special broadcaster who leaves us eternal memories

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was born in the family home in Dún Síon just outside Dingle, County Kerry on 20 August 1930, one of eight children to his mother Katie Quinn and father Thady Moriarty.

Eighteen years later he began the final year of his teacher training at St Parick's College of Education in Drumcondra in Dublin.

"The big attraction of course of being in Pat's was Croke Park principally," he would reflect later in his life.

"It was nearly the first place we went to. That was the Mecca. I don't think we were a full week there when we saw the first All-Ireland final I ever saw: Mayo against Cavan in 1948."

In early March 1949, Mícheál along with ten other students from the college did an audition on a hurling game for Radio Éireann.

The Keryman had never seen a game of hurling before in his life, but he was the one selected. His first assignment was to provide an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup final on St Patrick's Day.

He graduated from St Patrick's College a little later and also completed an Arts degree from UCD. He taught Economics, Accountancy and Irish in both primary and secondary schools around Dublin until the 1980s when he became a full-time broadcaster with RTÉ.

In 1970 he married Helena McDowell and together they had eight children.

His beautiful accent, his unique turn of phrase and ability to paint pictures with words captured the minds and hearts of his listeners, the people of Ireland and abroad.

Away from the microphone he trained the Kerry footballers based in Dublin for Mick O'Dwyer during the 1970s and 80s. Footballers from other counties also benefited from his coaching skills.

His love of greyhound racing was well known, and while he often called a race live on RTÉ radio, he was also a