O Muircheartaigh still top of his game at 80

SURROUNDED by grandchildren, some as young as six, legendary sports commentator Micheál O Muircheartaigh yesterday celebrated his 80th birthday by climbing Ireland’s second highest mountain, Mount Brandon (3,123ft) in Kerry.

The experience didn’t knock a shake out of the fit-looking octogenarian, who was in a family group of 23.

“I feel quite good. I’ve done Mount Brandon several times. It’s not very difficult and it could be described as a gradual climb,” he said afterwards.