23 July 2010
The winners of the 2009 McNamee Awards have been confirmed by the GAA, among the announcements is the bestowing of a lifetime achievement award on West Kerry's Mícheál Ó Sé. The GAA National Communication and Media Awards, named after the late Pádraig McNamee, are presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals and Association units in the area of media and communications. The awards will be presented by Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana, at a function in Croke Park on Saturday next, July 24. Mícheál Ó Sé is one of Ireland's premier sports commentators. He came to prominence with the founding of Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1972 and in the intervening years his commentaries on that station and on RTÉ TV have become legendary, especially to Gaeilgeoirí, within and outside the Gaeltacht. Mícheál was born in Ard na Caithne in West Kerry and after attending Scoil Náisiúnta Bhaile an Fheirtéaraigh went as a boarder to St. Brendan's College Killarney, where he was a classmate of another Kerry and Irish legend, Moss Keane. His footballing prowess was evident at an early stage and he made the college senior team in his second year. Subsequently he played with the Kerry Minors and made his senior debut in 1968, winning a National League Medal. He was also on the Kerry teams that won the League in 1972 and 1973. He played left half back on the Kerry teams that won the Sam Maguire in 1969 and again in 1970. He played Sigerson Cup football with UCD and also played for Maynooth College. From the time he first kicked a football , Mícheál Ó Sé was involved in Corca Dhuibhne teams and with West Kerry. He has coached many underage teams for his club An Ghaeltacht and was involved in the senior team that reached the All Ireland Club Final in 2004. Among those who have benefited from his tutelage are Darragh, Tomás and Marc Ó Sé, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Aodán Mac Gearailt. He was appointed Ceannaire of Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1980 and was instrumental in increasing the stations sports coverage. On returning home to Kerry he presented the magazine programme "An Saol ó Dheas". He is a scholar of Irish folklore and all things pertaining to our native language and culture. But he will likely be best remembered for his superlative commentaries and command of his native tongue. He lives in Ceann Trá with his wife Jacqueline and family. Report: RTÉ.ie, do leagan Ghaeilge teár go: www.rte.ie/rnag/gradamsaoilmichealose2010.html
.jpg)
