Legendary commentator Cathal O'Shannon dies:

Cathal O'Shannon's most famous moment: interviewing Ali

            Legendary Irish sports commentator, journlist and T.V. presenter Cathal O'Shannon has died over the at the age of 83.  He was a journalist with the  "Irish Times"  and a presenter with Radio Teilifís Éireann.
            O'Shannon was probably best known for his documentaries on Irish history, produced mainly for Irish television and broadcast on RTÉ.  In January 2007 after producing his most recent documentary, he stated that he had officially retired.  He was awarded lifetime membership of the Irish Film Institute in 2010 when he said it was  "particularly gratifying to receive before popping my clogs."  He died less than a year later.
            As a 16 year-old;  he joined the RAF in Belfast shortly before the end of World War Two and was stationed in Burma.  He did not see much action though.

Cathal O'Shannon:   1928 - 21st October 2011

            A native of Dublin; O' Shannon was recruited by the  "The Irish Times"  in 1947 before moving on to RTÉ in 1965.  In 1972 he recorded probably his greatest and certainly his most famous journalistic coup - interviewing world famous boxer Muhamad Ali (born Cassius Clay), for Irish television.   "What I found most nerve wracking about interviewing Ali was the fact that he was in control the whole time.  He was in total control of everyone he encountered."