Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh's legacy is honoured with name engraved on new Allianz Memorial Cup
The new Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh trophy named in honour of legendary GAA sports commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, created in a partnership with Allianz and the GAA, and presented to Kerry's footballers, winners of the recent Allianz Football League Division 1 Final in Croke Park. Photo montage: Brendan Moran / Sportsfile
Fans from Kerry and Mayo were visibly moved as they paused to pay tribute to a Gaelic Games legend during the ceremonies after the recent Allianz Football League Division 1 Final.
Applause erupted in Croke Park in response to the tribute paid to the legendary RTÉ commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh by Allianz and the GAA when the new cup in his honour was unveiled for the first time after the recent Allianz Football League Divison 1 final.
The Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh was unveiled to tumultuous applause, a timely honour ahead of the first anniversary of the beloved broadcaster this June.
Emotions flowed as the gathering paused to honour and remember the Kerry-born GAA icon, who for decades brought the drama, passion and excitement of Gaelic Games to life — making every match unforgettable for generations of fans.
Geoff Sparling, chief customer officer with Allianz, said it was a very fitting year for the naming of Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh, given that this year marks the centenary of the addition of the National Hurling and Football Leagues to the GAA calendar.
“As title sponsors of the Allianz Leagues for over 30 years, today marks a particularly special moment in our long-running partnership with the GAA and one we are very proud to be a part of,” Mr Sparling said.
“Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was a national treasure who transcended generations. His voice was the soundtrack to so many iconic moments and his passion for Gaelic Games came through in every word he spoke.
“As proud sponsors, we are thrilled to support the launch of this new cup in Mícheál’s memory, which will ensure that his legacy continues to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.”
The inaugural National Hurling and Football Leagues, which were started in October 1925 and ended the following spring, were won by Laois in football and Cork in hurling, with Dublin contesting both finals. The first cup for the football league was the New Ireland Cup and was first presented in 1929, with Kerry the inaugural recipients.
It seemed appropriate also that Kerry would win the centenary 2025 Allianz Football League Division 1 Final, with a 1-18 to 1-12 victory over Mayo. It would certainly have brought a smile to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, a fluent Irish speaker and schoolteacher who hailed from Dún Síon, near Dingle in Kerry.
In 1949, young Micheál answered an advert and won a radio commentary competition held at Croke Park and would go on to assume the mantle of the 'Voice of the GAA' after the retirement of the legendary Micheál O’Hehir, who had commentated on 99 All-Ireland finals.
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s first All-Ireland final day role was in 1953, when he broadcast the ‘as Gaeilge’ preview to the All-Ireland finals at 3.20pm from the then RTÉ HQ at Dublin’s GPO and then jumped on his bike and cycled to Croke Park in time for throw-in at 3.30pm. His involvement grew with the establishment of RTÉ in 1962.
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh made his last official RTÉ radio commentary in 2010. He saw every All-Ireland football final bar one (1950) from 1948 and every All-Ireland hurling final from 1951 up until 2023.
Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán CLG, captured the importance of the naming of the Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh trophy: “An Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh is a fantastic trophy that pays a lasting tribute to one of the greatest cultural ambassador’s that Ireland has ever known. Micheál was a man who spent a lifetime devoted to Gaelic games and used his inimitable commentaries to spread our gospel around the globe.
“I also want to pay tribute to our friends in Allianz for being the inspiration behind this new cup. They are our longest standing sponsors and supporters in the GAA, and this is a trophy worthy of the excellent competition that is the Allianz Football League Division 1 title, which is fought for by the cream of our football talent.”
In fact, Allianz has proudly sponsored the Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues for more than 30 years, making it one of Ireland’s longest running sports sponsorships.
In 2023, Allianz announced that they were strengthening their ties to Gaelic Games by becoming sponsors of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship as well as the Camogie Association for three years. Allianz’s passion for GAA and their desire to see the sport grow from generation to generation is the very catalyst for their sponsorship of both the Allianz Leagues as well as Allianz Cumann na mBunscol.
In addition to their GAA sponsorships, Allianz proudly supports the Irish Olympic and Paralympic Movements, and are proud allies and supporters of the vital work undertaken by Women’s Aid.
The beautifully designed new Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh is a bespoke sterling silver GAA trophy crafted by John J Cooke & Co. Ltd and features a replica Allianz Football League medal on the front with the inscription: Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh — bronnta ar bhuaiteoirí Roinn 1 de Shraith Náisiúnta Peile CLG.
It is a fitting tribute to arguably the all-time greatest analyst of Gaelic sports. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s love of Irish language and culture, his distinctive style, ability to weave anecdotes about players and move seamlessly between Irish and English made his commentaries immensely popular. He passed away in June 2024 at the age of 93, survived by his wife Helena and eight children.
Allianz has been a steadfast supporter of the GAA for over three decades. To learn more about Allianz’s sponsorship of the Allianz Leagues, visit www.allianz.ie.
