Legendary Irish broadcaster and commentator Jimmy Magee has passed away, aged 82.
Known as ‘The Memory Man’ for his wide sporting knowledge, Jimmy was born in New York in January 1935 but grew up in Greenore in Co Louth and was an honorary member of the Cooley Kickhams club who he lined out for a number of times at underage level.
He was the longest serving sports commentator in the world having first covered the World Cup in 1966 and the Olympics in 1968.
Jimmy joined RTÉ in 1956 and in his time as a broadcaster, commentated on 11 Olympic Games and 12 World Cups.
Magee began his career in broadcasting as a reporter for the RTÉ Radio programme “Junior Sports Magazine”. Presented by Harry Thuillier, “Junior Sports Magazine” was broadcast on a Saturday and mainly covered rugby, hockey and athletics.
Magee 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 for RTÉ, 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.
Magee also commented on Katie Taylor’s historic gold medal victory at the London 2012 Olympic games for RTÉ.
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.
He also co-hosted the quiz show ‘Know Your Sport’ on RTÉ Television alongside George Hamilton from 1987 to 1998.
In 2006 Magee was presented with a PPI Outstanding Achievement Award to mark his 50th year in broadcasting.
He had been ill for some time but had retained involvement in the media, hitting out at Conor McGregor’s boxing debut recently as “not sport”.
He is survived by children Mark, June, Linda and Patricia as well as a wider circle of family. He was predeceased by his parents Rose and Patrick, wife Marie and son Paul, who worked locally for BoyleSports prior to his passing in 2008.
