Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Mick McCarthy and Kevin Kilbane pay tribute to John Motson

Irish football legends Mick McCarthy and Kevin Kilbane have paid tribute to John Motson after the former BBC commentator's death at the age of 77.

Motson commentated for over 50 years on the BBC, covering 10 World Cup finals and 29 FA Cup finals in what is widely considered to be one of the most impressive careers in the industry.

The iconic voice of many famous moments, Motson was a beloved figure by all in the world of football.

READ MORE: John Motson made "classic Motty exclamation" at football match two weeks before death

Today, the world paid tribute to Motson after the sad news of his passing, with two legendary Republic of Ireland figures also paying their respects.

One such figure was former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy who fondly remembered his days commentating with 'Motty' during the European Championships in 2000:

"I spent a lot of time with him in Holland at the Euros doing co-commentary with him. He was a huge help to me and such a good friend. He helped because I was wet behind the ears doing those co-comms and being on the telly. He made a real difference to how I saw it and how I worked and became very close to him.

"Really sad. A real lovely man and he'll be a sad loss to football."

Kevin Kilbane also paid tribute to the iconic BBC commentator on Twitter, and praised his commentary on Ireland's famous 1-1 draw with Germany in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

"One of the greatest moments in our history perfectly described by the legend John Motson. #RIPMOTTY"

From Steven Gerrard's FA Cup final heroics against West Ham, to Ronaldo's exclusion from the 1998 World Cup final starting eleven, perhaps no commentator has provided the soundtrack for more massive football moments than John Motson.

READ NEXT:

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.