Michèal O Muircheartaigh life since retirement

“I regard a greyhound as like a passport” says the Kerry man “having a dog gets you places”. He talks of how the greyhound has brought him and his friends to places and recalls a couple of events. He explains how his greyhound raced in Australia when it coincided with the International Rules Test matches and again reiterates how the greyhound brings you places. At 81 year old Michèal holds as much passion and drive as someone embarking on a new journey.



  A mans best friend Picture: igb.ie A mans best friend Picture: igb.ie 

The dog whom he owns, Razldazl Rioga recently won the Irish Laurels at Cork greyhound stadium on October 22^nd. For Michèal it was a thrilling moment, having received the dog as a present from the Irish Greyhound Board following his retirement from an illustrious career as a radio commentator with RTÈ.  The former broadcaster has owned dogs for most of his life but has never owned many at one time “one is enough” he says with a smile. “It’s not easy won, you have to be lucky.”



He retired from full time commentary in 2010 well over half a century since beginning it in 1949; a feat for which he holds a Guinness World Record. But does he miss it? “Not really because I am going to the matches [anyway]. It is different to a normal retirement.” Michèal currently has a contribution here and there in advertising and on television shows. Since retirement he has enjoyed some of his hobbies more often such as greyhound racing and golf.

Former broadcaster says he is enjoying retirement
Photo: independent.ie

Alan Brogan and Michael Fennelly received the player of the year awards at last week’s All Star awards. The former commentator states “I think the right man got the football. He had a lot of injuries and has been playing 10 years without much reward and he deserved it. He brings everyone into it, into the play”. He recalls seeing Kilkenny’s Michael Fennelly playing years ago and Michèal noted a particularly good performance in one of his early appearances “I put a mark down on him a long time ago”.

On the issue of professionalism in the GAA which has been discussed recurrently in recent years he states “I don’t think it would work, really the country isn’t big enough”. He cites how soccer and rugby have international funding and income from television, something the GAA simply do not. “It would raise the standards, I believe that, but it wouldn’t be the same [if it did turn professional]”. He looks at the bigger picture from a players’ perspective “When you can no longer play from 30s on where then?” But does believe the players’ involvement in GAA can help in other walks of life.

The retirement of the long serving and much loved broadcaster signalled the end of an era but since retirement he has started into a new one. I’m sure, and hope, we will see plenty more of him in some shape or form as characters like him are hard to come by and are often on the other side of the microphone.

NUI Galway Students' Thoughts on Polling Day Voting

The first Presidential election since 1997 takes place next week. A number of students were asked on their views on the election, who they are considering voting for and of course why. There is now only a week until polling day. Labour’s Michael D Higgins and Independent candidate Sean Gallagher are well ahead of any other rival in recent opinion polls.



Aras An Uachtaran
Picture: tripadvisor.com

 A large proportion of NUI Galway students said that they would be voting, the only no from 18 year old Sarah from Mayo who said “I don’t believe in the presidency it’s a facade.” Many were passionate about it and felt that it was important to have someone who is representative of Ireland and its values. “It is important to me” said Alex (18) from Galway and Morgane (19) from Cavan said “I will [vote] because I can and have to have my say”. Others did not feel it was so important. Stephen (23) from Galway said “I don’t think it really matters” and another, Eddie (23) from Galway stated “In the general scheme of things it doesn’t really matter.”

Were the views on the ground reflective of the opinion polls? Michael D Higgins was the choice of eight out of 23 students surveyed, David Norris, Martin Mc Guinness and Sean Gallagher all tied with three each and Gay Mitchell got one. Neither Dana nor Mary Davis got a single consideration and five students were undecided.

Voters will be asked to decide on referenda also on Oct 27th
Picture: Google Images

The reasons why NUI Galway students were drawn to Michael D are because “he is the safe one” – Hannah (19) from Dublin commented, and “Other candidates are not up to it” said Paul (45) from Galway. The fact that he is local to Galway one would expect him to be a popular selection in the University.

The siege mentality appears to be in effect with supporters of Sinn Fein’s Martin Mc Guinness; Grant (20) from Roscommon believes “the media have a campaign against him” and others felt that he was targeted especially on his paramilitary background. The appeal of Senator David Norris as a good ambassador for Ireland is the fact “he has no affiliation with any party”

The referenda also taking place on October 27^th, the awareness of these was not very high of the same 23 who were surveyed 13 were aware and 10 were not. A few of those who were aware considered them “very important” and another Mark (19) from Kerry sensed the mood of the public “people don’t recognise how important they are”. Some simply have “no interest in referendum” while others said they “will read up on it before hand”.

The referenda are relating to allowing judges pay be brought into line for cuts along with other public sector work and secondly for a house(s) of the Oireachteas to be allowed to conduct their own investigations without forming a tribunal. The advertisements on television and radio about the referenda will help raise awareness of them and explain exactly what the proposed changes are.