Broadcaster Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin dies

The veteran broadcaster Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin has died at the age of 89.

Mr Ó Ceallacháin was a fixture on Irish radio from 1948 until his retirement in 2011. His 63 year career was the longest in the history of broadcasting, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

When he retired two years ago, it was the end of a family association stretching back to 1932, when his father began broadcasting on Radio Éireann.

His son joined him broadcasting as Gaeilge in 1948 before taking over the show proper in 1953.

Mr Ó Ceallacháin played hurling for Dublin for 10 years between 1943 and 1953 and played in the All-Ireland final of 1948.

His Sunday night Gaelic Sports Service was a staple of the season beginning with his characteristic greeting as gaeilge “Go mBeannaí Dia díobh go léir a cairde Gael".

In the days before ubiquitous mass-communication when phones were a rarity in rural Ireland and email, the results service from every county in Ireland was a huge logistical exercise.

When he retired the Taoiseach Enda Kenny paid tribute to the broadcaster saying there was music in his voice.

Noel Curran, RTÉ director general, said Mr Ó Ceallacháin was a legend in sports journalism.

"When he signed off on his last Gaelic Sports Results programme in 2011, it was a momentous moment not only in broadcasting but in the sporting life of the nation," Mr Curran said. "His passing will be acknowledged by the many thousands of listeners for whom Sean Og's Sunday night broadcasts were an essential part of our sporting Sundays."