3. Why the Limerick area?Why the Limerick area?
The Golden ValeThe Golden Vale
Emigrants by choice rather than throughEmigrants by choice rather than through
starvationstarvation
Sporting traditionsSporting traditions
Sporting ecumenismSporting ecumenism
No fear of breaking new groundNo fear of breaking new ground
4. Sporting LimerickSporting Limerick
““I was born in Limerick, Ireland on the 17th of March [1859]. St.I was born in Limerick, Ireland on the 17th of March [1859]. St.
Patrick and myself have that date all to ourselves. I came toPatrick and myself have that date all to ourselves. I came to
America when I was twenty years old, but my father and motherAmerica when I was twenty years old, but my father and mother
are still in the old country. It might be well to say somethingare still in the old country. It might be well to say something
about the first athletic meet I ever pulled off.about the first athletic meet I ever pulled off.
“ “One Sunday morning myself and half a dozen gossoonsOne Sunday morning myself and half a dozen gossoons
cut down a tree and planted it in a field a short distance awaycut down a tree and planted it in a field a short distance away
from the church. Then we stood at either side of the entrancefrom the church. Then we stood at either side of the entrance
with our caps in our hand and when the people came out fromwith our caps in our hand and when the people came out from
Mass we took up a collection to buy prizes. That afternoon theMass we took up a collection to buy prizes. That afternoon the
field was packed and everybody had a fine time. Athleticfield was packed and everybody had a fine time. Athletic
contests were the regular Sunday pastime after that.”contests were the regular Sunday pastime after that.”
5. Athens – The first modern OlympicAthens – The first modern Olympic
Games 1896Games 1896
7. JP Boland: first Irish champion 1896JP Boland: first Irish champion 1896
8. 1900: Limerick’s first Olympic1900: Limerick’s first Olympic
medalsmedals
Paris 16-17 JulyParis 16-17 July
Pat Leahy (Creggane) won silver in the highPat Leahy (Creggane) won silver in the high
jump with 1.78mjump with 1.78m
Leahy also won bronze in long jump with a leapLeahy also won bronze in long jump with a leap
of 6.71mof 6.71m
John Flanagan (Martinstown and USA) wonJohn Flanagan (Martinstown and USA) won
hammer gold with a throw of 51.01m, 4.75mhammer gold with a throw of 51.01m, 4.75m
better than anyone else.better than anyone else.
9. Pat Leahy of Creggane 1900Pat Leahy of Creggane 1900
10. John Flanagan – Martinstown andJohn Flanagan – Martinstown and
USA: 1900, 1904, 1908USA: 1900, 1904, 1908
12. 1904 and St Louis1904 and St Louis
Tom Kiely (Tipperary and Ireland) won gold inTom Kiely (Tipperary and Ireland) won gold in
the All Round Championshipthe All Round Championship
John James Daly (Galway) won silver in 2,590MJohn James Daly (Galway) won silver in 2,590M
steeplechasesteeplechase
Gaelic Football won by Chicago FeniansGaelic Football won by Chicago Fenians
Hurling won by St. Louis InnisfallsHurling won by St. Louis Innisfalls
14. 1904: Irish America to the fore1904: Irish America to the fore
John Flanagan wins second hammer title (51.23 m) andJohn Flanagan wins second hammer title (51.23 m) and
a second place in the 56lb throw, 10.16m with Jima second place in the 56lb throw, 10.16m with Jim
Mitchell from Emly third)Mitchell from Emly third)
Martin Sheridan (Bohola, Co. Mayo) wins first of nineMartin Sheridan (Bohola, Co. Mayo) wins first of nine
Olympic medals in the discusOlympic medals in the discus
Irish American Athletic Club top US club – PJ ConwayIrish American Athletic Club top US club – PJ Conway
chairmanchairman
Head of US Olympic movement and St. LouisHead of US Olympic movement and St. Louis
organisers was James Sullivanorganisers was James Sullivan
Very important in funding Irish revolutionVery important in funding Irish revolution
15. P.J. Conway – Irish AmericanP.J. Conway – Irish American
Athletic ClubAthletic Club
18. The Fenians and Irish AmericanThe Fenians and Irish American
athleticsathletics
19. 1906 – Irish or British?1906 – Irish or British?
British Olympic Association founded late 1905British Olympic Association founded late 1905
Peter O’Connor (Waterford) wins gold in triple jumpPeter O’Connor (Waterford) wins gold in triple jump
and silver in long jumpand silver in long jump
Con Leahy (Creggane) wins gold in high jump by 2.5cmCon Leahy (Creggane) wins gold in high jump by 2.5cm
and silver in triple jump behind O’Connor, 13.98m toand silver in triple jump behind O’Connor, 13.98m to
O’Connor’s 14.075mO’Connor’s 14.075m
Two gold and three silver for Martin Sheridan (USA)Two gold and three silver for Martin Sheridan (USA)
Billy Sherring (Canada) wins MarathonBilly Sherring (Canada) wins Marathon
22. Con Leahy of Creggane: guardian ofCon Leahy of Creggane: guardian of
the flagthe flag
23. 1908 Limerick Olympic winners1908 Limerick Olympic winners
John Flanagan gold in the hammer, withJohn Flanagan gold in the hammer, with
McGrath (Tipperary) and Walsh (Cork) placedMcGrath (Tipperary) and Walsh (Cork) placed
Tim Ahearne wins triple jump with 14.92mTim Ahearne wins triple jump with 14.92m
Con Leahy joint second in high jumpCon Leahy joint second in high jump
William Russell Lane-Joynt silver in teamWilliam Russell Lane-Joynt silver in team
‘running deer’ shooting‘running deer’ shooting
Plus Sheridan, Hayes, Horgan, Barrett, Kerr…Plus Sheridan, Hayes, Horgan, Barrett, Kerr…
24. Tim Ahearne of Athea, triple jumpTim Ahearne of Athea, triple jump
champion in 1908champion in 1908
32. Hammer one, two and three –Hammer one, two and three –
Flanagan, McGrath and WalshFlanagan, McGrath and Walsh
33. 1912 Tradition Continues1912 Tradition Continues
Matt McGrath (Nenagh) wins hammer by over sixMatt McGrath (Nenagh) wins hammer by over six
metresmetres
Pat McDonald (Doonbeg and Time Square) wins goldPat McDonald (Doonbeg and Time Square) wins gold
in shot (15.34m) and silver in two-handed shot (27.53min shot (15.34m) and silver in two-handed shot (27.53m
Kennedy McArthur (Antrim) wins Marathon for SouthKennedy McArthur (Antrim) wins Marathon for South
Africa – tallest winner everAfrica – tallest winner ever
Denis Carey (John Flanagan’s cousin) sixth in hammerDenis Carey (John Flanagan’s cousin) sixth in hammer
34. 1912 – McArthur (Antrim and South1912 – McArthur (Antrim and South
Africa) wins Stockholm MarathonAfrica) wins Stockholm Marathon
35. Two very different characters:Two very different characters:
Frank Dinneen and Boss CrokerFrank Dinneen and Boss Croker
36. 1920 Antwerp1920 Antwerp
Paddy Ryan (Pallasgreen) wins hammer withPaddy Ryan (Pallasgreen) wins hammer with
52.875m and second to McDonald in 56lb52.875m and second to McDonald in 56lb
weightweight
Silver for Pat Flynn (Bandon) in 3,000mSilver for Pat Flynn (Bandon) in 3,000m
steeplechase and for Anton Hegarty (Derry) insteeplechase and for Anton Hegarty (Derry) in
team cross countryteam cross country
Gold in polo for FW Barrett (Cork) and in waterGold in polo for FW Barrett (Cork) and in water
polo for Noel Purcell (Dublin)polo for Noel Purcell (Dublin)
37. Paddy Ryan – Nicker & PallasgreenPaddy Ryan – Nicker & Pallasgreen
39. Dan Ahearn of Athea – no medal in 1920Dan Ahearn of Athea – no medal in 1920
but world record holder in triple jumpbut world record holder in triple jump
40. 1920 – 24: Jack Kelly – three golds1920 – 24: Jack Kelly – three golds
41. JJ Keane – Anglesborough and IOCJJ Keane – Anglesborough and IOC
42. Ireland’s Olympic CouncilIreland’s Olympic Council
Founded in 1920 – Keane, Griffith and CollinsFounded in 1920 – Keane, Griffith and Collins
‘‘The formation of an Irish Olympic Council that is completelyThe formation of an Irish Olympic Council that is completely
and influentially representative of the Irish nation… At the firstand influentially representative of the Irish nation… At the first
meeting of the newly formed Council the movement wasmeeting of the newly formed Council the movement was
discussed in all its aspects and, while the difficulties were fullydiscussed in all its aspects and, while the difficulties were fully
acknowledged, it was unanimously agreed that the time wasacknowledged, it was unanimously agreed that the time was
opportune and the necessity urgent for formulating Ireland’sopportune and the necessity urgent for formulating Ireland’s
right to participate as a distinct national entity in such worldright to participate as a distinct national entity in such world
competitions as the Olympic Games...’competitions as the Olympic Games...’ Limerick LeaderLimerick Leader, 23, 23
August 1920.August 1920.
Battle for acceptance at Lausanne 1920-22 – KeaneBattle for acceptance at Lausanne 1920-22 – Keane
Ireland’s first IOC MemberIreland’s first IOC Member
43. Keane and the IOCKeane and the IOC
I have the honour of asking you again on behalf of Ireland, to beI have the honour of asking you again on behalf of Ireland, to be
recognized in the coming Olympic Games, as an independentrecognized in the coming Olympic Games, as an independent
nation. After our meeting in Antwerp, you told us that the Irishnation. After our meeting in Antwerp, you told us that the Irish
demand would be recognized as soon as political autonomy haddemand would be recognized as soon as political autonomy had
been granted…I have great pleasure in telling you that mybeen granted…I have great pleasure in telling you that my
country is now a ‘Free State’, and that it holds, on a commoncountry is now a ‘Free State’, and that it holds, on a common
footing, the same rights as an autonomous state in the Britishfooting, the same rights as an autonomous state in the British
Empire as Canada, Australia, south Africa, etc. The conditionEmpire as Canada, Australia, south Africa, etc. The condition
laid down by your committee as essential for acceptance oflaid down by your committee as essential for acceptance of
Ireland’s application is thus complied with.Ireland’s application is thus complied with.
Letter from J.J. Keane on behalf of the Irish Olympic Council toLetter from J.J. Keane on behalf of the Irish Olympic Council to
de Coubertin 10 April 1922de Coubertin 10 April 1922 CorrespondenceCorrespondence JJ KeaneJJ Keane..
46. Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention
Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthy
Allen StreetAllen Street
CappoquinCappoquin
Co. WaterfordCo. Waterford
kpec@gofree.indigo.iekpec@gofree.indigo.ie
087 6501042087 6501042