Michael O'Hehir, the greatest commentator of them all
TRIBUTE BY MICHAEL CONNOR
Last Tuesday, June 2, marked the centenary of the birth of legendary Gaelic games commentator Michael O'Hehir.
Born in Dublin (Glasnevin) in 1920, his parents came from Clare. His mother Esther Sheehan came from Newmarket-on-Fergus, while his father, John Hehir, is from Paradise, which sounds like an earthly heaven location.
Michael was an only child. His early education was at the Holy Faith Convent and later at St. Patrick's National School in Drumcondra.
His secondary school education was with the Christian Brothers at O'Connell School in North Richmond Street, which stands shoulder to shoulder with Croke Park.
His father, who worked in the Department of Local Government, had a consuming interest in Gaelic games and trained his Banner County to their first All-Ireland hurling final in 1914.
In 1927 he trained the Leitrim football team for their All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kerry in Tuam, Leitrim having won their first ever Connaught title that year.
The Kingdom emerged victorious by 0-4 to 0-2. However, Kerry failed to win the title that year and lost to Kildare by 0-5 to 0-3. The Lilywhites achieved back-to-back-success the following year when they defeated Cavan by 2-6 to 2-5.
It was the first time that the famed Sam Maguire Cup was presented to victorious captain Bill Squires Gannon.
Michael O'Hehir's first commentary game was on August 14, 1938, at Mullingar, where Galway defeated Monaghan by 2-10 to 2-3 in the All-Ireland senior football semi-final.
The Tribesmen went on to win the championship that year, defeating Kerry in a replay (2-4 to 0-7) on October 23.
The previous years, due to an ongoing controversy between the GAA and Radio Eirinn, the All-Ireland final, which was played in Killarney, was not broadcast.
Due to Michael’s success in the auditioning process he went to entertain listeners with his unique voice over a period of 48 years. He became a household name with his unique, easy style.
He broadcast 99 All-Ireland finals in both football and hurling during that length of time, which included replays.
His last broadcast on radio was the Leinster senior football final of 1985 on Sunday, July 28, at Croke Park, where Dublin beat Laois (0-10 to 0-4).
His last GAA commentary was on Sunday, August 4, in Croke Park, where Cork and Galway met in the All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final, a game Galway won by 4-12 to 5-5.
The game was noted for the difficult underfoot conditions as a continuous downpour presented a major challenge for players.
There were concerns beforehand that the game might not go ahead, such were the adverse weather conditions, but to the credit of the players the clash was intense and entertaining.
Sadly, Michael suffered a stroke on Thursday, August 8, 1985, and on the occasion of the All-Ireland football final of 1987, wheelchair-bound Michael was introduced to the capacity crowd of 68,000 by his friend and great admirer Micheál O Muircheartaigh.
The crowd stood and the standing ovation lasted several minutes.
While Michael will always be loved and remembered as an outstanding Gaelic games commentator, he was also an accomplished and highly regarded horse racing commentator and is famously remembered for the 1967 Aintree Grand National when a number of horses fell or refused at the famous Beechers Brook obstacle where there was a major catastrophe.
Michael was able to spot that Foinavon avoided all the trouble and the horse, under unknown jockey John Buckingham, went on to win the big race with close to 100 yards to spare.
It was undoubtedly one of the greatest upsets in steeplechasing history as the winner came in at 100/1.
It is to this day still talked about and is regarded as one of the finest pieces of horse racing commentary in very challenging circumstances.
That particular piece of commentary was sheer brilliance and typical of the genius of the man.
His Sunday afternoon Gaelic games commentaries were very much part of the Irish cultural life for decades and are fondly remembered by hundreds of thousands who treasured this man and took him to their hearts. He truly was a national treasure.
Michael sadly passed away on Sunday, November 24, 1986.
The All-Ireland replays during Michael’s tenure as a commentator were as follows: hurling - 1959: Waterford 3-12, Kilkenny 1-10; football - 1938: Galway 2-4, Kerry 0-7; 1943: Roscommon 2-7, Cavan 2-2; 1946 - Kerry 2-8, Roscommon 0-1; 1952: Cavan 0-9, Meath 0-5; 1972: Offaly 1-19, Kerry 0-13.
FOOTNOTE: The author of this fine tribute to the legendary Michael O’Hehir is Parke native Michael Connor, whose passion for the GAA goes back to his younger days.
Michael rarely missed an All-Ireland football final and is a huge collector of GAA memorabilia, including programmes from major games over the years. He also served his beloved club, Parke, and the West Mayo GAA Board in various capacities over the years.
He was a great admirer of Michael O'Hehir and while not as active as he was in his younger days, his interest in GAA matters has not waned in the slightest.