Renowned RTE athletics commentator Tony O'Donoghue has died aged 86.
The Dubliner was the voice for some of Ireland’s greatest sporting moments from the Munich Olympics in 1972 to the London Games in 2012.
One of his most famous moments during his 40-year spanning career, according to former employer RTE, was Eamonn Coghlan’s World Championship 5,000m gold in 1983. At the time, Tony exclaimed, "Eamonn Coghlan is going to do what he has been threatening to do all his life" as the Dubliner crossed the line in Helsinki.
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According to death notices website RIP.ie, Tony "passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, February 26, 2023". They also wrote: "Devoted husband to the late Maureen and wonderful, loving father to Aisling, Karen, Marc and Garrett. Beloved grandfather to Kate and Finn. Deeply missed by daughters-in-law Mairsil and Sandra, brothers Mick and Der, brother-in-law Terry, sisters-in-law Patty, Martha, Mary, Nuala and Helen, and all his extended family and friends."
The Raheny-native was a talented athlete himself, and he was one of the home representatives in the famed Golden Mile race in Santry in 1958. He served on the first committee of Athletics Ireland predecessor Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann in 1967.
Tony wrote a book, Irish Championship Athletics 1873-1914, which was launched by Olympic champion Ronnie Delany. He was also involved in producing the Association of Track and Field statisticians annual, considered the stats bible of the sport.
A number of his RTE colleagues have paid tribute to him on social media. Des Cahill wrote: "Really sad news. I loved Tony as a commentator, and he was great company. May he rest in peace."
Greg Allen added: "Tony O’Donoghue (RIP) was a colleague I looked up to and my thoughts are with his family. He was so much more than a fine athletics commentator - a historian and statistician who backed his commentaries with painstaking deep ‘pre-internet’ research". Allen quote tweeted with a link to the Coghlan commentary in 1983.
George Hamilton also wrote a tribute to his friend: "A genial colleague, a true gentleman who wore his sporting and historical knowledge lightly, and above all else, the most wonderful friend. So sorry for his treasured family."
Minister for Sport and Media Catherine Martin said: "I'm very sorry to hear that former athletics commentator Tony O’Donoghue has passed away. An inspiration to many, his voice will continue to be synonymous with some of Ireland's great sporting memories."
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