Jimmy Magee
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Magee is a longstanding Irish
sports broadcaster. Known as 'the Memory Man', he has spent over half a century in sports broadcasting. He has presented radio and television coverage of the Olympics since 1968 and the FIFA World Cup
since 1966.
in the United States
in 1935 to Patrick (Paddy) Magee and his wife Rose (née Mackin). The family returned to Ireland
shortly after his birth. Magee and his three siblings were subsequently raised in Cooley
, County Louth
. As a child Magee was influenced by the sports commentary of the legendary Gaelic games
broadcaster Michael O'Hehir
. He recalls commentating as a seven year-old for his next-door neighbour on a variety of imaginary games that the young Magee was also playing in.
After being educated locally Magee secured a full-time clerical post with Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway. He and his wife Marie married on 11 October 1955 and had five children: Paul, a soccer player with Shamrock Rovers F.C.
(winning the League Cup in 1977), who died of motor neuron disease, aged 51 years in May 2008;
Linda (b. 1959); June (b. 1961); Patricia (b. 1962); and Mark (b. 1970).
1989 was an emotionally trying year for Jimmy as his mother and wife died within months of each other. Marie dying at the relatively young age of 54.
sponsored programmes in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jimmy joined Raidió Teilifís Éireann
in 1956 and in 1966 saw Magee cover his first World Cup
for RTÉ Radio. He did likewise for the 1970 FIFA World Cup
before transferring to television for the 1974 FIFA World Cup
finals. In all he has provided commentary at eleven World Cups - his latest commentary coming in 2006
in Germany
. He contributed to RTÉ Sport
's coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
.
Magee has also been a staple of RTÉ’s coverage of the Olympic Games
. Beginning in 1968
in Mexico City
, he has attended the ten subsequent Olympic games as a commentator with RTÉ. From 1987 to 1998 Magee hosted Know Your Sport
, a sports-themed quiz show, along with George Hamilton
. Magee’s broadcasting career also saw him provide commentary for over 200 international football games, 30 European Cup
finals, multiple Tour de France
cycle races, World Athletic Championships and boxing. He also narrated numerous videos on Sport in general such as The purple and Gold, Meath return to Glory, etc.
A freelancer
Jimmy worked for Channel 4
in 1994 and signed for UTV
in 1995 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1995/0513/Pg002.html#Ar00201 on a three year contract where a lifetime ambition of commentating on All Ireland Finals was achieved. He commentated on three finals in both hurling
and football
.
.
after the famed commentating clangers of BBC
broadcaster David Coleman
).
"Ardiles strokes the ball like it was a part of his anatomy." – a typical Magee gaffe during the World Cup.
"And there it is, the international symbol of peace – the pigeon!" – another Magee clanger during the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
" This is the 671st game in World Cup history, starting all the way back in 1930 in Uruguay
... and no I haven't seen them all."
"...Jim ‘the Blue Panther’ Rock..." – Magee’s mistaken description of Jim 'The Pink Panther' Rock live on RTÉ Pro Box live in 2007.
"They’re going for silver, they’re going for gold. John Treacy
has one hundred metres to go. In the past Ireland have won bronze medals with John Caldwell, Freddie Gilroy, ‘Socks’ Byrne, Jim McCourt, Hugh Russell. They’ve won golds with Pat O’Callaghan twice, Bob Tisdall, Ron Delaney. They’ve won silvers with John McNally, Fred Tiedt, Wilkins and Wilkinson and for the thirteenth time an Irish medal goes to John Treacy. The little man with the great heart." – Magee’s emotional commentary as John Treacy wins a silver medal the Olympic Games
in 1984.
"Different class … DIFFERENT CLASS!" - Maradona's goal against England in 1986
"Willie, you might as well take out your money and spend it. Spend it on a cruise. A cruise around Andy Lee"
"GREAT play by the Mexican there! He took on the whole shagbag lot o' them!" - commentating at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
"C'MON BERNARD! ...DELIVER THE MILK AND GO TO THE NEXT HOUSE!!!" - Magee's shouted advice to Bernard Dunne from the commentary box during his unsuccessful title defence in 2009.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sports broadcaster. Known as 'the Memory Man', he has spent over half a century in sports broadcasting. He has presented radio and television coverage of the Olympics since 1968 and the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
since 1966.
Biography
Jimmy Magee was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1935 to Patrick (Paddy) Magee and his wife Rose (née Mackin). The family returned to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
shortly after his birth. Magee and his three siblings were subsequently raised in Cooley
Cooley peninsula
The Cooley Peninsula is a hilly peninsula in County Louth, Ireland, which includes towns such as Omeath, Carlingford and Greenore.-Geography:...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
. As a child Magee was influenced by the sports commentary of the legendary Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
broadcaster Michael O'Hehir
Michael O'Hehir
Michael James Hehir was an Irish hurling, football and horse racing commentator and journalist. Between 1938 and 1985 his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many...
. He recalls commentating as a seven year-old for his next-door neighbour on a variety of imaginary games that the young Magee was also playing in.
After being educated locally Magee secured a full-time clerical post with Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway. He and his wife Marie married on 11 October 1955 and had five children: Paul, a soccer player with Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
(winning the League Cup in 1977), who died of motor neuron disease, aged 51 years in May 2008;
Linda (b. 1959); June (b. 1961); Patricia (b. 1962); and Mark (b. 1970).
1989 was an emotionally trying year for Jimmy as his mother and wife died within months of each other. Marie dying at the relatively young age of 54.
Broadcasting career
While still working with Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway Magee began his broadcasting career. He started out as a reporter for the Radio Éireann programme Junior Sports Magazine. Other contributors on the programme were Jim Tunney (Irish politician) and former Irish Times football correspondent Peter Byrne. On leaving his Railway job, Magee presented a number of sponsored radio programmes before concentrating on sport. He was a producer, presenter and script writer for Radio Eireann'ssponsored programmes in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jimmy joined Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
in 1956 and in 1966 saw Magee cover his first World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
for RTÉ Radio. He did likewise for the 1970 FIFA World Cup
1970 FIFA World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...
before transferring to television for the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
finals. In all he has provided commentary at eleven World Cups - his latest commentary coming in 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He contributed to RTÉ Sport
RTÉ Sport
RTÉ Sport is a cross platform, integrated business division of Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann, responsible for the provision of sport coverage on RTÉ Radio, RTÉ Television, and RTÉ.ie....
's coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
.
Magee has also been a staple of RTÉ’s coverage of the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Beginning in 1968
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, he has attended the ten subsequent Olympic games as a commentator with RTÉ. From 1987 to 1998 Magee hosted Know Your Sport
Know Your Sport
Know Your Sport is an Irish sports quiz show produced by RTÉ between 8 October 1987 and 1 April 1998. The show was presented by George Hamilton and featured Jimmy Magee and Mary Hogan as scorekeeper....
, a sports-themed quiz show, along with George Hamilton
George Hamilton (actor)
George Stevens Hamilton is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Hamilton was the youngest son of bandleader George "Spike" Hamilton and his first wife, Ann Stevens . He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and lived in Blytheville, Arkansas...
. Magee’s broadcasting career also saw him provide commentary for over 200 international football games, 30 European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
finals, multiple Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
cycle races, World Athletic Championships and boxing. He also narrated numerous videos on Sport in general such as The purple and Gold, Meath return to Glory, etc.
A freelancer
Freelancer
A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is somebody who is self-employed and is not committed to a particular employer long term. These workers are often represented by a company or an agency that resells their labor and that of others to its clients with or without project management and...
Jimmy worked for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in 1994 and signed for UTV
UTV
UTV is a television channel based in the UK region of Northern Ireland. The channel is the Channel 3 or Independent Television licensee for Northern Ireland and is operated by UTV Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of UTV Media.- Terrestrial :* Analogue: Normally tuned to 3 * Freeview : 3...
in 1995 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1995/0513/Pg002.html#Ar00201 on a three year contract where a lifetime ambition of commentating on All Ireland Finals was achieved. He commentated on three finals in both hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
.
Awards
In 1972 Magee won a Jacob's Award for his radio sports commentaries. In 1989 he was the subject of a special tribute show on The Late Late ShowThe Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
.
Quotations
Some of Magee’s one-liners in commentaries have become famous or infamous (what are affectionately known in the broadcasting industry as ColemanballsColemanballs
Colemanballs is a term coined by Private Eye magazine to describe verbal gaffes perpetrated by sports commentators. The word Colemanballs probably borrows from Colemans Meatballs, once familiar in the UK and sold by the company ColemanNatural...
after the famed commentating clangers of BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
broadcaster David Coleman
David Coleman
David Coleman, OBE is an English former sports commentator and TV presenter who worked for the BBC for almost fifty years. In 2000, he was awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honour of the Olympic movement....
).
"Ardiles strokes the ball like it was a part of his anatomy." – a typical Magee gaffe during the World Cup.
"And there it is, the international symbol of peace – the pigeon!" – another Magee clanger during the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
" This is the 671st game in World Cup history, starting all the way back in 1930 in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
... and no I haven't seen them all."
"...Jim ‘the Blue Panther’ Rock..." – Magee’s mistaken description of Jim 'The Pink Panther' Rock live on RTÉ Pro Box live in 2007.
"They’re going for silver, they’re going for gold. John Treacy
John Treacy
John Treacy is a former Irish athlete and Olympic medalist, who represented Ireland at four Olympic Games between 1980 and 1992.- Career :...
has one hundred metres to go. In the past Ireland have won bronze medals with John Caldwell, Freddie Gilroy, ‘Socks’ Byrne, Jim McCourt, Hugh Russell. They’ve won golds with Pat O’Callaghan twice, Bob Tisdall, Ron Delaney. They’ve won silvers with John McNally, Fred Tiedt, Wilkins and Wilkinson and for the thirteenth time an Irish medal goes to John Treacy. The little man with the great heart." – Magee’s emotional commentary as John Treacy wins a silver medal the Olympic Games
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in 1984.
"Different class … DIFFERENT CLASS!" - Maradona's goal against England in 1986
"Willie, you might as well take out your money and spend it. Spend it on a cruise. A cruise around Andy Lee"
"GREAT play by the Mexican there! He took on the whole shagbag lot o' them!" - commentating at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
"C'MON BERNARD! ...DELIVER THE MILK AND GO TO THE NEXT HOUSE!!!" - Magee's shouted advice to Bernard Dunne from the commentary box during his unsuccessful title defence in 2009.
Sources
- Seán McGoldrick. Jimmy Magee: The Official Biography - I Remember it Well. Dublin: Blackwater Press, 2000. ISBN 1841314943.