MICHAEL O'HEHIR will be sadly missed, not only by his legion of admirers in the GAA but by his old friends and radio and television listeners in the racing fraternity.
Michael was the racing correspondent of the Irish Independent from the late 1940s to the early 60s and for decades the voice of Irish racing both on radio and television. As Lester Piggott recalled recently: "There were only two commentators in England and Ireland, Michael O'Hehir and Peter O'Sullevan both streets ahead of anybody else."
After he left the Irish Independent he was appointed Head of Sport in RTE. He later served for some years as manager of Leopardstown racecourse and was also a stipendary steward of the Turf Club.
From 1975 onwards he produced the Form Book for the Turf Club, a task his son Peter now performs. He was also associated with the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes and in the 1940s and 50s had his own late night racing programme for radio.
Cahir O'Sullivan, keeper of the Match Book for the Turf Club said he listened to Michael O'Hehir on the radio as a boy. "His was the enduring voice of Irish racing, both on radio and television. Irish racing owes him a great debt of gratitude. It is good that two of his sons, Tony and Peter are carrying on the tradition.
In paying tribute, Frank Smyth, who was one of Michael O'Hehir's successors as manager of Leopardstown said: "He brought his great experience of racing into his job as Head of Sport for RTE.
"I remember him as a racing commentator without compare. Who can forget his marvellous commentating in Foinavon's Grand National when he picked out every faller at that fatal fence and instantly spotted Foinavon jumping clear, though the horse was a rank outsider. He will be greatly missed."
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