SAD PASSING OF LOUTH’S MEMORY MAN JIMMY MAGEE
TRIBUTES poured in for popular sports presenter and Louth native Jimmy Magee who passed away last week, aged 82.
The veteran broadcaster, known as the ‘Memory Man’, died in hospital on Wednesday morning last after his health declined in recent months.
The proud Louth man spent over sixty years as a sports commentator.
Having he joined RTÉ in 1956, he commentated on 10 Olympic Games and 11 World Cups.
Magee began his career in broadcasting as a reporter for the RTÉ Radio programme ‘Junior Sports Magazine.’
He even doubled his early years in broadcasting with a full-time clerical post in British Rail. On leaving that job, he presented a number of sponsored radio programmes before concentrating on sport.
He commentated on a wide range of sports including every Olympic Games from 1972 until 2012, and he covered his first World Cup for radio in 1966 which was won by the host nation England.
In recent years he spoke of his delight in commentating on Katie Taylor’s historic gold medal victory at the London 2012 Olympic games.
At the same London Olympics in London, the International Olympic Committee acknowledged Magee’s outstanding contribution to sport and presented him with a replica of the Olympic torch.
In 2006 Magee was presented with a PPI Outstanding Achievement Award to mark his 50th year in broadcasting.
During his lengthy career he provided the entertaining commentary for over 200 international football games, 30 European Cup finals, multiple Tour de France cycle races, World Athletic Championships, boxing and numerous All-Ireland finals in both hurling and football.
Famous for his, often unintentional, comic one-liners, Jimmy has proven to be one of the most entertaining broadcasters the country has ever produced.
‘Over the years the best lesson I’ve learned is a barometer for boredom - when you’re bored talking about something yourself, it’s a sure bet the audience are fed up listening to you as well,’ said Jimmy in an interview with the Argus in 2009.
Tributes were led by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dail last week, who described Jimmy Magee as ‘part of the fabric of Irish sport.’
‘And though his voice may now be silent, the wonderful memories brought to us by ‘ the Memory Man’ himself will live on forever.’’
President Michael D.Higgins also paid tribute, saying: ‘His contribution of more than 60 years of sports broadcasting is immense and earned him the deserved moniker of the ‘Memory Man.
He reported on some of the most iconic moments in sport but also had a genuine interest in the human side of everyday sports.’