[2] 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.
[3] After being educated locally, Magee secured a full-time clerical post with Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway.
[6][7][8][9] Many tributes were made to him including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who said ""His commentaries were legendary and based on a breadth of sporting knowledge that was peerless".
RTÉ Head of Sport Ryle Nugent said "It’s hard to put it into words, the man meant an inordinate amount to so many people, I think he was the soundtrack to many generations".
On leaving his Railway job, Magee presented a number of sponsored radio programmes before concentrating on sport.
In 2012, he commentated on the boxing for RTÉ at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, including Katie Taylor's gold medal-winning fight.
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.
A freelancer Jimmy worked for Channel 4 in 1994 and signed for UTV in 1995 [1] on a three-year contract where a lifetime ambition of commentating on All Ireland Finals was achieved.