Murray, who was best known for his passionate love of horse racing, first joined RTÉ in 1978 and worked there until he was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 2010.
He was “the voice of Irish racing for many years,” An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said this morning.
He lit up the coverage of many a racing meet with his passion and enthusiasm for the sport. I had the pleasure of being in Colm’s company recently and could see he was a proud Westmeath man who brought out the best in those around him with his affability and gift for storytelling.
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Anne, and daughters, Patricia and Kate, and sister, Mary.
“He is also a huge loss to all in RTÉ and my thoughts are with all who had the pleasure of knowing Colm during his lifetime.”
A young Murray pictured in 1980 (Image: RTÉ)
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Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore echoed those sentiments, saying: “Colm was one of the most accomplished sports journalists of his generation and was, as far as most people were concerned, the voice of horse racing in Ireland.
“Colm was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011, but he bore his illness with incredible bravery and dignity. It was a mark of his professionalism and courage that he continued to work for as long as he did after his diagnosis, and it was this courage that inspired so many people.
“His death will have a particular poignancy this week, coinciding as it does with the Galway Races, a festival with which he was so closely identified for so many years.”
Ryle Nugent, RTÉ’s Group Head of Sport, paid tribute to the warm, fun personality of his committed colleague.
“It’s a sad sad day for all of us that knew and worked with Colm.
He had an infectious laugh, a real sense of fun and a little mischief that has been, and will always be, missed in this office. His commitment and love for his work was there for all to see and he will be long remembered for his kindness, decency and caring of those with whom he came into contact.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Ann and all his family.”
RTÉ Director General Noel Curran added: “He will rightly be remembered by the horse racing community for his enthusiasm and authority. For all who worked with him in RTÉ he will be remembered as a wonderful colleague and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Colm’s family today.”
Murray in 2009, the year before his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (Image: RTÉ)
Murray’s RTÉ colleagues have also been paying their own tributes on Twitter this morning.
Samantha Libreri described him as “the definition of a gentleman” while Des Cahill remembered “a fantastic colleague with a hearty, infectious laugh… a bundle of energy… and the worst racing tips in Ireland.”
He was “one of the greats,” Adrian Eames said, while Tony O’Donoghue described the RTÉ staff as “desolate.”
Barry Geraghty saluted Murray as “a great supporter of racing and all sports” while his fellow jockey Davy Russell said Murray was “a gentleman who adored racing.”
As sports editor of the Irish World in London some years back, I had the privilege of subbing Colm Murray’s racing column every week; it always on time, the copy was always spotless and he really knew his onions; he even tipped Monty’s Pass to win the Grand National in 2003. Met him in Co Cricklewood that year for an awards ceremony and he was an absolute diamond.
Ní bheidh a leitheid arís ann
Never knew the man and I’m not into horse racing but I was sad to read about the death of a man in the public eye who seemed to be nothing but a gentleman. Rest in peace.
Absolutely tragic that we had to lose Mr Murray. I remember him talking about his condition after his diagnosis, and he was very upbeat and positive about his condition. If he was worried, he didn’t show it, and was more concerned with living today rather than fearing tomorrow.
Sadly, after that interview, one could notice that his condition was deteriorating. It became noticeable that he was struggling with his speech, he began using crutches, and his contributions to RTE sports were gradually becoming less and less. His voice was a welcome surprise when it appeared on the news, and noticeably absent when it did not. His replacements, such as Joe Stack, did strong work, but it was just not the same.
My deepest thoughts and condolences go out to Colm’s family and friends. I know that this is a great blow to them since it comes very close after the recent death of Colm’s sister, another RTE colleague who was as hardworking and down to earth as Colm.
RIP. Went far too young, and has left a big chasm in the sports world.
So sad to see him pass away. He fought the illness with such dignity and really wanted to get some answers on why it exists and is there a cure. So young to die. May he rest in peace x
Ballybrit played tribute to him this eve, inc minute silence before 1st race and a montage of him at diff race meetings, shown on all the screens, rip Colm
Well said colm c.its such sad news.even the news reader was trying to hold back the tears this evening.such a horrible disease .hope they get a cure soon
So sad to hear that he has passed, so happy to hear the legacy of a true gentleman of life and of sport, he passed to me what could not be passed and that was a passsion of racing. May he rest in peace and may that peace be passed to his wife, children, family, friends, those who knew him, those who thought they did and those who wanted to know him God bless Colm, prayers and thoughts with you.
Telly has lost another great voice and yet another part of our childhood slips away.
That voice on the news that usually arrived around 6.30 from cheltenham that carried the emotion of all the Irish punters. With his open line you knew if it was a good or bad day for the Irish but he always finished on a positive.
To all your family,friends & work mates my thoughts and prayers are with you. To Colm thanks for the memories and Rest In Peace.
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Sorry to hear of Colm’s passing. Struck me as a humble, gentle man who loved racing deeply. He’ll be much missed in the sport ..RIP.
His documentary last year on living with Motor Neuron Disease was uplifting and heartwarming but showed the grim reality of that horrible disease.
He was a great broadcaster and, by all accounts, a gentleman.
RIP to his family and friends.
As sports editor of the Irish World in London some years back, I had the privilege of subbing Colm Murray’s racing column every week; it always on time, the copy was always spotless and he really knew his onions; he even tipped Monty’s Pass to win the Grand National in 2003. Met him in Co Cricklewood that year for an awards ceremony and he was an absolute diamond.
Ní bheidh a leitheid arís ann
Loved the horsies, Gift Grub used imitate him very well, terrible to see him go :(
Never knew the man and I’m not into horse racing but I was sad to read about the death of a man in the public eye who seemed to be nothing but a gentleman. Rest in peace.
Rip.
RIP a class act!!!!!!
RIP Colm
Absolutely tragic that we had to lose Mr Murray. I remember him talking about his condition after his diagnosis, and he was very upbeat and positive about his condition. If he was worried, he didn’t show it, and was more concerned with living today rather than fearing tomorrow.
Sadly, after that interview, one could notice that his condition was deteriorating. It became noticeable that he was struggling with his speech, he began using crutches, and his contributions to RTE sports were gradually becoming less and less. His voice was a welcome surprise when it appeared on the news, and noticeably absent when it did not. His replacements, such as Joe Stack, did strong work, but it was just not the same.
My deepest thoughts and condolences go out to Colm’s family and friends. I know that this is a great blow to them since it comes very close after the recent death of Colm’s sister, another RTE colleague who was as hardworking and down to earth as Colm.
RIP. Went far too young, and has left a big chasm in the sports world.
So sad to see him pass away. He fought the illness with such dignity and really wanted to get some answers on why it exists and is there a cure. So young to die. May he rest in peace x
RIP Colm
Why do such horrible diseases have to exist ? RIP
Iconic to racing! R.I.P
Ballybrit played tribute to him this eve, inc minute silence before 1st race and a montage of him at diff race meetings, shown on all the screens, rip Colm
Very good I didn’t spot that on At The Races. He seemed to accept his fate with great courage.
Very sad news and a huge loss to the racing world especially those unable to attend race meetings. He’ll be sadly missed.
There was a minutes silence for him today at the galway races.
R.i.P
Sadly missed.
Well said colm c.its such sad news.even the news reader was trying to hold back the tears this evening.such a horrible disease .hope they get a cure soon
@Seanc Wonderful tribute paid to him.
So sad to hear that he has passed, so happy to hear the legacy of a true gentleman of life and of sport, he passed to me what could not be passed and that was a passsion of racing. May he rest in peace and may that peace be passed to his wife, children, family, friends, those who knew him, those who thought they did and those who wanted to know him God bless Colm, prayers and thoughts with you.
Telly has lost another great voice and yet another part of our childhood slips away.
That voice on the news that usually arrived around 6.30 from cheltenham that carried the emotion of all the Irish punters. With his open line you knew if it was a good or bad day for the Irish but he always finished on a positive.
To all your family,friends & work mates my thoughts and prayers are with you. To Colm thanks for the memories and Rest In Peace.
RIP
RIP Colm….
Sorry Sean c!!!