Commentating legend Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, the man known as ‘the voice of the GAA’, has died at the age of 93.

Dingle, County Kerry native Ó Muircheartaigh succeeded Míchael O’Hehir as RTÉ Radio 1's lead GAA radio commentator in 1985.

Prior to becoming a full-time broadcaster, he worked as a school teacher, first lending his voice to the national broadcaster for the 1949 Railway Cup final, where he provided commentary in Irish.

Down through the decades, Ó Muircheartaigh’s instantly-recognisable voice became familiar in every household on the island as he habitually delivered iconic radio commentary on all major GAA events, including All-Ireland finals.

He retired in 2010, with his last All-Ireland final assignment being Cork’s All-Ireland SFC victory over Down that year.

The great Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh passed away this morning in The Mater Hospital, Dublin.

GAA President Jarlath Burns said: "It was with great sadness that I learnt of the terrible  news of the passing of a giant of Irish broadcasting and the gentleman that was Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh. 

"He was for so long an iconic figure across the GAA landscape and indeed Irish life as a  whole, with an incomparable voice and an almost poetic ability, in not one, but two  languages. 

"His voice and literary skills provided the backdrop to some of the greatest days in Irish  sport and his empathy and understanding of our games and Irish life was second to none. 

"I offer my condolences and those of our members to his wife Helena and their eight  children, his wider family and his wide circle of friends and admirers."  

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