Jimmy Magee

AndyBoBandy · 20-09-2017 10:30AM

For some reason I’ll always remember the following quote when the game kicked off;

“High Noon in Orlando”

Ireland v Holland, USA ‘94

RIP Jimmy, you were 1 in a billion

Sugar Free · 20-09-2017 10:44AM

I used to never be able to understand how people could be saddened by the death of someone they never knew but this...:(

So many memories from summer holidays growing up as a kid associated with his voice, especially World Cup '94 and Atlanta '96.

The living embodiment of what it meant to be passionate about what you do.

Jobs OXO · 20-09-2017 10:47AM

Himself and Bill are hopefully up in the big studio in the sky.

topper75 · 20-09-2017 10:49AM

I remember him most for the McGuigan fights. They were special.
I could hear more enthusiasm in his voice than the soccer. I'm not sure he was overly fond of that sport deep down. But he did get a kick out of pronouncing the foreign names.

murpho999 · 20-09-2017 11:04AM

topper75 wrote: »

I remember him most for the McGuigan fights. They were special.
I could hear more enthusiasm in his voice than the soccer. I'm not sure he was overly fond of that sport deep down. But he did get a kick out of pronouncing the foreign names.

I disagree, I think he liked football a lot.

His "Different Class" commentary on Maradona's second goal against England in '86 was different class itself.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 20-09-2017 11:11AM

I knew Jimmy and his real love was boxing. The football was an interest and paid the bills but he adored boxing.

We used to slag him that he was great but only in small doses, when he would go on one of his long long rambling stories.

R.I.P James.

jmayo · 20-09-2017 11:11AM

He was special and will always be associated in my mind with special sporting moments like indeed the Maradona goal or Treacy's silver in the marathon in LA.

Thinking back he never seemed rattled, never seemed ratty, never seemed overcome with excitement like you hear some commentators.
He just seemed cool and collected and boy did he know his stuff.

I don't recall him ever having a go about a sports person not performing.
He would remind me of Larry Gogan on just a minute quiz, where no matter how bad someone was they weren't lambasted or ridiculed.

Jimmy could make sport enjoyable to listen to and there was an enthusiasm coming through.
Jimmy in my view ranks up there with guys like Peter Alliss, Bill McLaren, Peter O'Sullivan, Murray Walker.

A different class, a class apart.
RIP.

mikhail · 20-09-2017 11:12AM

marvin80 wrote: »

His love of sport shone through in his commentating - RIP Jimmy

https://twitter.com/MallowNews/status/910399597125791744

I like that people have such fondness for him across the board that the few jokes in the thread read as deeply affectionate rather than disrespectful.

Agricola · 20-09-2017 11:23AM

Going to miss Jimmy's coverage of the opening match of the day at major tournaments. He'd make you want to sit down and watch Saudi Arabia v Costa Rica.

check_six · 20-09-2017 01:04PM

About 25 years ago Jimmy Magee appeared on the Late Late Show talking about planning for retirement and wishing to do one more commentating gig on the US Masters Golf before he finished up. He was like the Grand Old Man of RTE talking down to the young stripling, Gay Byrne. He was coy about his age then and I kind of assumed he was a very energetic 70+ year old then. I am slightly taken aback to find out that he was younger than Byrne.

He was one of a kind and his lively commentary brightened up any event and made it compelling (thinking in particular of some of the really turgid football on display in Italia '90 that he made entertaining). I think his swansong may have been the Boxing in the 2012 Olympics. The energy was still in the voice even if what he was saying didn't necessarily match up with what was happening.

An institution who will be missed.
RIP Jimmy.

JamesM · 20-09-2017 04:09PM

Before Jimmy was known as a sports commentator, he hosted a show on RTE radio in the early 60s from 11 to 12 on a Wednesday night called "The Millionaires". He played songs that had sold a million copies. It was one of the few chances to hear pop music on Irish radio in those days.
RIP Jimmy.

MonkieSocks · 20-09-2017 04:25PM

R.I.P

uch · 20-09-2017 04:29PM

Met him at a Steve Collins fight in the Point in the 90's, always had time to stop and chat, absolute Gent,

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Noveight · 20-09-2017 04:38PM

Have many fond memories of both himself and Bill O'Herlihy. Men apart.

secman · 20-09-2017 05:55PM

Rip Jimmy, a lovely lovely person, knowing his absolute love of boxing it's apt that both Jimmy and Jake La Motta died today and will have great discussions at the pearly gate. Both of them born in New York too.

Passenger · 20-09-2017 06:00PM

The Memory Man and most certainly a memorable man.

RIP Jimmy

20-09-2017 07:46PM

Great memory, but brutal commentator. He never knew anything about the sport he commentated and tried to overcompensate for this reminiscing about past experiences at previous event he attended. Any auld gobshíte can utter "different class" twice when a player is dribbling with the ball. People citing that as an example of his legendary commentary have really low standards.

ToddyDoody · 20-09-2017 07:48PM

A gentleman of sport. May they all laugh at the gee reference in heaven.

20-09-2017 07:51PM

A genuinely good-natured man who loved doing what he did and it came across as such in his work.

Purple Mountain · 20-09-2017 08:43PM

A gentle gentleman.
Sympathy to his family and friends.

Ken. · 20-09-2017 08:54PM

On the Pat Kenny show earlier today a man was on saying that till about 10 weeks ago Jimmy was still setting the questions for a monthly sports theme'd quiz for his local GAA club. Never used a book to get the questions and very very rarely would a question/answer reappear in another quiz.

An Riabhach · 20-09-2017 09:31PM

elefant wrote: »

Different class.

Different class!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZFZ_eX71mE

RIP Jimmy.

votecounts · 20-09-2017 09:46PM

RIP Jimmy, truly a great man and sports commentator

Gwynplaine · 20-09-2017 10:07PM

I can hear Jimi.

mickmackey1 · 20-09-2017 10:13PM

What a gentleman and fount of knowledge.

Croatia 0 Mexico 0 in the World Cup, and the camera pans to the Mexico manager : 'Now there's a man who knows the bottom of a brandy glass'.

RIP.

KKkitty · 20-09-2017 11:56PM

Remember him fondly when he was co presenter of Know Your Sport with George Hamilton. The depth of knowledge in his head was unfathomable. One of a dying breed when it comes to broadcasting. His enthusiasm for his job was unparalleled. He never forgot anything when it came to sport. Losing his son was something he should never have gone through. He seemed so amiable. R.I.P. Jimmy Magee, you will never be forgotten.

Chivito550 · 21-09-2017 12:28AM

511 wrote: »

Great memory, but brutal commentator. He never knew anything about the sport he commentated and tried to overcompensate for this reminiscing about past experiences at previous event he attended. Any auld gobshíte can utter "different class" twice when a player is dribbling with the ball. People citing that as an example of his legendary commentary have really low standards.

The best commentators know when to say little and let the action and atmosphere be heightened to viewers back home. Less is more. Jimmy's commentary on Maradona's goal was simple and beautiful.

KKkitty · 21-09-2017 01:20AM

511 wrote: »

Great memory, but brutal commentator. He never knew anything about the sport he commentated and tried to overcompensate for this reminiscing about past experiences at previous event he attended. Any auld gobshíte can utter "different class" twice when a player is dribbling with the ball. People citing that as an example of his legendary commentary have really low standards.

I know there's a seemingly unwritten rule that you don't speak ill of the dead but seriously what is wrong with you? Jimmy was inoffensive. He didn't court publicity unless he saw fit to do so. He buried his own son which is something no parent should ever have to do. He was a legend in his own lifetime.

21-09-2017 01:29AM

I had the pleasure of meeting him a long time ago while travelling to a match in london, a game he was travelling to do commentary for rte, nicest person you could wish to meet,a true gent and a really likeable man

21-09-2017 01:31AM

511 wrote: »

Great memory, but brutal commentator. He never knew anything about the sport he commentated and tried to overcompensate for this reminiscing about past experiences at previous event he attended. Any auld gobshíte can utter "different class" twice when a player is dribbling with the ball. People citing that as an example of his legendary commentary have really low standards.

"He never knew anything about the sport he commentated on".....that is pure class

Jimmy Magee

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