David Morrow funeral: Footy greats gather to farewell the legendary sports broadcaster

Football stars and media figures have gathered in Sydney’s eastern suburbs to bid farewell to legendary sports commentator David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow.

Morrow, whose radio career spanned more than half a century, died last week at the age of 71 from brain cancer and was given a formal farewell at St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Coogee on Thursday.

Those in attendance at the service included former NRL players Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley and Paul Gallen, along with Daryl Brohman, Mark Levy, Peter Psaltis and other Nine colleagues.

A St George Illawarra Dragons bomber jacket was placed over Morrow’s coffin as it was carried to the altar, to the soundtrack of AC/DC’s It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).

As the service began, Morrow’s loved ones placed a number of items on the casket, including an Olympic flag and a 2GB cap.

Morrow was nicknamed ‘Thirsty’ for his fondness for a cold Reschs. His passion for the Dragons was reflected in the red and white garments mourners were required to wear.

His youngest daughter Lucy Morrow spoke in a moving eulogy of her father’s “intelligent athletic acumen” and “deep concern for others.”

“Dad may have been one of the best fathers this country has ever known, but he was an even better father,” she said.

Morrow, whose broadcasting career spanned half a century, died of brain cancer on July 17 at the age of 71 and was given a grand farewell at St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Coogee on Thursday. Rugby league legend Laurie Daley is pictured centre

A St George Illawarra Dragons bomber jacket was placed over Morrow’s coffin as it was carried down the aisle to the soundtrack of AC/DC’s It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll). Morrow’s 2GB colleague Daryl Brohman (right) was a pallbearer

Morrow was diagnosed with cancer in December and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which forced him to step down from his role in 2GB’s Continuous Call Team.

In lieu of flowers, relatives were asked to make a donation to the Mark Hughes Foundation. This foundation raises money for brain tumor research and supports people with this disease.

Morrow’s broadcasting career began in 1972 in Kempsey on the New South Wales North Coast. He would later cover the Olympics and six Commonwealth Games, and cover rugby league for 44 years.

Morrow was a radio and television commentator for the ABC from 1980 to 2014. Until 1996, he reported on Saturday football matches for a national audience on ABC television.

Daughter Lucy shared one of the last pieces of advice her father gave her.

‘I left the hospital one night [and] When I said goodbye, he said, ‘Be nice,’ Mrs. Morrow told the congregation.

“Yes, yes, Dad, I’m always good,” she replied.

“And if you can’t be nice, be careful,” Morrow said back.

As Mrs. Morrow walked down the hall, she heard her father’s “booming” voice telling her, “And if you can’t be careful, call me.”

“Well, Dad, since I can’t give you a bell and I’m not very good at being nice, I’ll just have to learn to be careful,” Lucy said.

Morrow’s career as a broadcaster began in Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast in 1972. He would later cover the Olympics and six Commonwealth Games, and was a rugby league commentator for 44 years.

Goal-kicking Dragons winger Ricky Walford was among the former rugby league players who paid their respects to legendary radio presenter David Morrow on Thursday

Morrow was diagnosed with cancer in December and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, forcing him to step down from his role in 2GB’s Continuous Call Team

Mrs. Morrow described being her father’s daughter as the “greatest honor” of her life.

“I love you, Dad, and I miss you already,” she said.

Continuous Call Team colleague Mark Levy announced that a Nine Radio Olympic studio in Pyrmont would be named after him.

Levy worked with Morrow for nearly a decade, after the veteran joined the Continuous Call team in 2015.

He said that while Morrow came to the team as a “polished, experienced, respected announcer,” his colleagues quickly realized he was “just as loose” as the rest of them.

Levy said that after growing up in regional NSW, Morrow “went on to travel the world” and create “a soundtrack for the generation”.

“I wish he was still here to help us cover the Olympics for the next two weeks because as we know, David loved the Olympics,” he said.

Morrow’s youngest daughter Lucy Morrow (above) reflected on her father’s “intelligent athletic acumen” and “deep concern for others” in a moving eulogy

Morrow’s nickname ‘Thirsty’ came from his love of a cold beer and his passion for the Dragons was reflected in the red and white uniforms mourners were required to wear.

“But if I know David, he’ll be sitting in the front row somewhere in that main stadium. Although he may not be there to cover the games, David will be there in spirit.”

‘I will definitely think of him when I broadcast our brand new Olympic studio.

Levy spoke of his friend’s “astonishing ability” to remember sports records from multiple decades and multiple sports.

“I’m talking about the most random times, margins, dates, where everyone’s from, whether they’re from the bush, and when it comes to sport, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has as much knowledge as David,” he said.

Levy said he was inundated with emails from listeners saying they were “blessed to have had the privilege of listening to Morrow.”

Morrow received an OAM in 2005 for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community and was inducted into the Sydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour last year.

Morrow was awarded an OAM in 2005 for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community and was inducted into the Sydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour last year

Before Morrow’s death, he was informed that he had been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport.

After his death, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys described Morrow as one of the sport’s “greatest voices”, recognised across the country for his “humour, insight and knowledge”.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing David throughout my athletic career and he was a champion in every sense of the word. It has been an honor and privilege to know him as a friend,” he said in a statement confirming Morrow’s death last week.

‘In his final days, David knew how loved he was in the rugby league community after being told he had been inducted into the Hall of Fame.’

V’landys said it was reassuring to know that both Morrow and his family knew how the sport “felt about his achievements.”

Morrow is survived by his wife Christine and daughters Emily and Lucy.