The aftermath of the games highlighted the fragile nature of relations between the Irish Olympic Council and the FAIFS. There had been a mix-up over deadlines for the submission of the squad, while the FAIFS also made it known that it had no involvement in the choice of either the colours or the national anthem. … Read more
The team consisted of Paddy O’Reilly (Athlone Town), Jack McCarthy (Bohemians), Bertie Kerr (Bohemians), Tommy Muldoon (Athlone Town), John Joe Dykes (Athlone Town), Ernie McKay (St James’s Gate), Michael Farrell (St James’s Gate), Joe Kendrick (Brooklyn) [Frank Ghent (Athlone Town) vs Holland], Paddy Duncan (St James’s Gate), Denis Hannon (Athlone Town) and Johnny Murray (Bohemians).
The Dubliner won both of his matches in the group stage of the singles competition, although it may seem curious that one of the rubbers was a best-of-five-set affair, while the other was best-of-three. This was due to the cold and wet weather in Athens that April, which curtailed the length of the contests. The … Read more
The mid-1950s were definitely grey. A coalition government had gained power from Fianna Fáil. The unemployed workers marched in the streets but there were no jobs for them. Many workers left Ireland; the picture of them crowding onto the mail boat in Dún Laoghaire is etched deep in many people’s memories, including my own. Our … Read more
Lucania bicycles were manufactured by John O’Neill at the Lucania works in South King Street, Dublin. An advertisement for the Lucania in a 1911 edition of Sinn Féin carried the information also that the company had won a contract to supply the Post Office with 400 delivery bicycles. Following the Stockholm race, Sinn Féin quoted … Read more