Voice of GAA builds on rugby success

BUILDING houses under the searing South African sun, legendary GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh is a far cry from the comfort of his commentary box.

But the 78-year-old, whose distinguished voice has given both joy and anguish to thousands of sports fans over a 60-year career, was not fazed.

Working as part of the Niall Mellon Township Trust building blitz, Ó Muircheartaigh is joining Irish volunteers in an effort to house slum dwellers, of which there are 10 million across South Africa.

While getting houses built is his primary concern here, on the day that saw the Irish rugby team grasp the Six Nations and coveted Grand Slam, unassuming Ó Muircheartaigh became a mascot for Irish sport.

As celebrations kicked off in Cape Town, he took time to give an impromptu pre-match speech to spur on the eager Irish fans so far from home.

He later provided entertainment by telling stories of the past, posing for pictures with, and talking to, every volunteer who approached him, revelling in the historic win.

Back on the construction site yesterday in the township of Mbekweni, an hour outside Cape Town, Ó Muircheartaigh got stuck into the work, shovelling, sweeping and sweating with the rest of his team.

The Kerry man maintains there is a bit of a builder in every Irish person.

“If they’re not building a shed down the bottom of the garden they are building a wall in a ditch. I built a shed 35 years ago and it is still standing, so that’s not bad,” he said.

“There is a fantastic spirit here, great skill and such pride in the work, and everyone, especially the Irish, loves a fine day.”

Ó Muircheartaigh said he was inspired to travel to South Africa after hearing the charity’s founder, Niall Mellon, speak at a fundraising event in Tralee last year.

Irish volunteers have built more than 10,000 houses for slum dwellers over seven years in what is the biggest project of its kind in South Africa.

“When I heard about the work they were doing I was really anxious to go and see it for myself. It is such a worthwhile project. I will be spreading the word when I go home and would certainly consider coming back,” he said.

As for his commentating days, they are far from over says the man himself.

“I have been going for 60 years and hopefully will go on for another 60,” he said.