Hope springs eternal for Mícheál

Seamus Enright

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh today enjoys retirement following a successful broadcasting career spanning over 60-years. The legendary sports commentator though is preparing to step back into the spotlight later this month to take part in a panel discussion on positive mental health as part of the upcoming International Rules Series 2013.
Titled ‘A winning mentality for life’, and focusing on nurturing that same mindset and attitude, Mícheál will be joined on stage by some of the biggest and best known names in Irish sport and culture. Among them will be the likes of Sunday Game panellists; Joe Brolly, Colm O’Rourke; Oisin McConville, Kevin McStay, and Cavan goalkeeper Alan O’Mara, who earned plaudits from all quarters earlier this year when he spoke bravely about his own battle with depression.
They will also be joined by Young Person of the Year, 16-year-old Joanne O’Riordan. The Cork-native, who was born with a rare condition, Tetra-amelia syndrome, leaving her without arms and legs. She is one of just seven people in the world with the condition and in recent years has become an inspiration for young people and positive mental thinking.

As long as there’s hope
Mícheál says that when he takes to the stage at Kingspan Breffni Park on October 19, his message will be in essence, a very simple one: “As long as you have hope there is always scope to see the positive in things.
“I think you realise it, and maybe learn a bit more about it the further you go along. But everything is based on hope. I always say hope and a community spirit are the best assets anyone could ever have. Forget focusing on the negative, always look forward.”
No interview with Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh would be complete without a sporting analogy or spot of ‘as gaeilge’. His commentary hyperbole are now integral to the Irish soundtrack. Recognised as embodying the spirit of the seannachaí, it’s an identity which has served him well as he graced wireless receptions and television screens for decades.
“I am, as I’m sure many people already know, very close to the Irish culture. That’s part of who I am. I identify with the language and the culture and I am very fond of old Irish proverbs. I’ll tell you one now, like when someone feels helpless and they think they can do nothing and nobody can help them, there is a wonderful phrase in Irish- ‘Is é an cabhair ó Dhia ar an mbóthar’- the help of God is on the road.
“Anywhere you turn you’re on a road of some sort. The important thing to remember is there’s always somebody there to help. It’s the beauty of human nature, the only thing you need to do is ask. “Add hope to that and you’ll never feel helplessness.
“Hope brings belief and belief brings positivity. If you have hope growing up and keep that with you, it’s a great mental attitude to have.

Positive mental attitude
“They talk about the attitude of football teams. The attitude of winning or losing. It’s the attitude for life I would say is more important. Everyday is a new day.
“I always give the example in football, and I know the player I’m talking of, one in particular he had lost All-Ireland Finals at Minor, U21, Senior and at Club before he ever won anything. But his attitude was, win or lose, there are other finals to be played. The last game is gone and I can’t change them but I can have an affect on the next one. Again, it comes down to hope, the next one is going to be it. I found then in a lot of people who carried with them that attitude they did then go on to win something. By believing in it and themselves they were rewarded in the end.”

Support for one another
Mícheál acknowledges how lucky he was to have such support growing up as a young boy in Dún Síon just outside Dingle, in Kerry.
Having worked as a primary and secondary school teacher, it was due to the unwavering support of those closest to him that gave Mícheál the confidence to chase his dreams when bitten by the broadcasting bug.
“Luckily that was always there for me. You’ll find people who give you that help then stay with you. They have an influence on you and it comes with a message that someday, whenever it may be, you too might be asked to give someone that same help. Hopefully when the time comes they won’t be left wanting either.”
Mícheál unravels another Irish proverb - ‘Táimid ag brath ar fad ar a chéile’ - we all live in the shadow of others.
“It’s because we all depend on each other,” he says before adding another in quick succession- ‘Níl a fhios agat neart na cairde’. “You do not know the real power of what we call strength until we all pull together.”

Pressure on young people
Mícheál believes there’s too much pressure on young people growing up today.
“To young people especially, something I would say to them, with all else going on - ‘Do not forget each other’. I also think adults put an awful lot of needless pressure on young people, pressure to perform, like the Leaving Certificate exam situation.”
The media he says have their part to play in building the hype, with reporters and journalists, radio and television stations getting pictures of students filing into exams rather than treating it as a ‘normal day’ at school.
“Like all the days you go training for a match, the day you go into play is the same as any other. When the results come out it’s more of the same. How many As this and so many points that.
“I keep telling people, young people too that one week after the results come out no one will ever ask, or mention, or think about how many points anybody got. It’s just one of several landmarks in a person’s life, you make note of it and move on. There’s no need to be worried, the future looks after itself.”

The panel discussion on ‘A winning mentality for life’ takes place at Kingspan Breffni Park on October 19 in association with the International Rules Series 2013 first Test Match and the Fun Weekend in Cavan. Hosted by iRadio DJ’s Cooper and Oonagh, the first half session, which begins at 1pm, will include Mícheál and others. It will also see a live performance by Kells indie rock act by Ham Sandwich.
The second half session which begins at 3.45pm will see iRadio’s Fergal D’Arcy speak with Ray Houghton, comedienne and singer Catherine Lynch, and boxing stars John Joe Nevin and Andy Murray as well as former county footballer Dermot McCabe.
The conference will finish at 5.15pm. For more details e-mail activemindsconference2013@gmail.com or call +353 49 437 8519. Alternatively log onto thisiscavan.ie to see a full line-up of events taking place throughout the weekend.