Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh commentaries replayed for people living with dementia

Eamonn Ó Muircheartaigh, Helena Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Doireann Ní Mhuircheartaigh in the commentary box at Croke Park during the launch for ‘The Replay’ - Bringing the Voice of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Back to Irish Homes - during a special promotional event at Croke Park in Dublin to bring one of Ireland’s most iconic voices back into Irish homes and reconnect lost memories. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The unmistakable voice of Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh is the catalyst in a new reminiscence therapy service.

An online audio library entitled “The Replay” features the late Kerryman’s 52 radio match commentaries from the All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals from 1985 to 2010.

The initiative, which has been supported by the Ó Muircheartaigh family, has been jointly designed by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the GAA and RTÉ archives.

Ó Muircheartaigh’s iconic brogue and delivery will be used to spark memory. The release of his commentaries is considered a promotion of positive ageing and brain health as well as evoking fond memories for the wider population.

Ireland has one of the fastest-growing ageing populations in Europe with more than 64,000 people currently living with dementia.

The archive of games, which can be heard on replay.ie, is easily searchable by game, year or county with each of the commentaries split into parts.

Ó Muircheartaigh passed away in June 2024 at the age of 93. His son Eamonn said: “For our family, it is incredibly moving to hear Dad’s voice continue to resonate in this way. He believed deeply in the power of sport to bring people together.

“Knowing that his commentaries are now available to everyone, and learning that he can help spark recognition, comfort and conversation for people living with dementia is something we feel he would have been immensely proud of. ’The Replay’ ensures that his voice continues to echo in Irish homes doing what it always did best by connecting people.” 

Ó Muircheartaigh’s last All-Ireland final commentary was the 2010 Cork-Down football decider. His first commentary was the 1949 Railway Cup final on St Patrick’s Day and in 1985 he replaced the retiring Micheál O’Hehir as RTÉ Radio 1’s lead GAA commentator.

Aside from his poetic and lyrical descriptions, replay.ie gives insight into the great access and trust Ó Muircheartaigh enjoyed with teams.