Chairman of the Boards/Master of the Mile

Common Sense

Folks,

Just to let those of you who may be interested know....

I attended the launch in City Hall tonight of Eamonn Coghlan's new autobiography tonight titled as above. The launch was attended by a huge crowd including Caitriona McKiernan, John O'Shea (GOAL), Shay Healy (Eurovision), Shane Healy (former olympian), Shane Byrne (former Irish Rugby international), John Giles, Emily O'Reilly (Ombudsman) etc. etc.

Anyway, from a quick glance, the book looks like being in line for 'Sports Book of the year' and can now be purchased in Easons and, as they say, all good book stores.

In terms of Irish athletics, this book seems way above the norm.

thirtyfoot

Common Sense wrote: »

Folks,

Just to let those of you who may be interested know....

I attended the launch in City Hall tonight of Eamonn Coghlan's new autobiography tonight titled as above. The launch was attended by a huge crowd including Caitriona McKiernan, John O'Shea (GOAL), Shay Healy (Eurovision), Shane Healy (former olympian), Shane Byrne (former Irish Rugby international), John Giles, Emily O'Reilly (Ombudsman) etc. etc.

Anyway, from a quick glance, the book looks like being in line for 'Sports Book of the year' and can now be purchased in Easons and, as they say, all good book stores.

In terms of Irish athletics, this book seems way above the norm.

Great, really looking forward to it and should be a great read.

Although wasn't too happy with his comments to Gary O' Toole on RTE on sunday, bit sh*tty and lacking respect to be honest.

shels4ever

Yep i'd agree , still has the smug thing about him, but he doesnt hide it at all, so I can't of like that.

thirtyfoot

I like the smugness/arrogance or whatever you call it and as a result love Coghlan but it was cringefest on sunday and O' Toole took it well (as you'd expect from him) and must have been thinking what the hell is your man on:)

George Kimble is involved in the book I believe so should be top drawer.

ZiggyStardust

Tingle wrote: »

Great, really looking forward to it and should be a great read.

Although wasn't too happy with his comments to Gary O' Toole on RTE on sunday, bit sh*tty and lacking respect to be honest.

Hi Tingle. What were his comments to Gary O'Toole. Missed that.

Looking forward to the book. Was a bit of a hero of mine (as I'm sure he was to everyone growing up in athletics). Still remember watching like yesterday the Worlds in 1983 in my aunts house in Belgium.
Loved the way he was arrogant.

Not sure about the temptation of drugs confession. Ah sure, I guess he has a book to sell

Bobby04

I too am very interested to hear what he said to O'Toole. Not least of all because I heard him briefly on RTE radio 1 on Saturday morning and thought he came across very well, and likeable.

Woddle

The book has been in easons since Monday , Im about halfway through it now and it does seem to be a very honest account, the good and bad

Racing Flat

Tingle wrote: »

Although wasn't too happy with his comments to Gary O' Toole on RTE on sunday, bit sh*tty and lacking respect to be honest.

That and the corny promortion of the book at the end didn't go down too well, but saying that will definitely read it.

Can't remember exact specifics, but he was a bit dismissive of Gary. Gary was saying that he knew more or less exactly who was on drugs in swimming, whereas Eamonn said he had no idea who was on drugs in running. When Bill (out on his own in presenting the Olympics I think, an incredible performance night after night, obviously enjoying it, asks the right questions etc. etc., good on you Bill) asked how it could be different in the two sports, Eamonn more or less said that as Gary was getting trashed by these people he'd know they were on drugs, but as Eamonn was beating these fellows anyway, even though he was clean, it wasn't as relevant, or something to that effect. It was a bit of a 'show me your medals' moment I thought. Myself and the OH just looked at each other and said, 'what a w*nker' but in fairness, anytime I've seen him down at the track coaching his son or whatever he seems a very nice fellow. Might have just come out funny.

Is JK on board for the athletics this time?

ZiggyStardust

Racing Flat wrote: »

Is JK on board for the athletics this time?

He sure is according to the RTE website. Should get a few amusing moments from him.

thirtyfoot

Racing Flat wrote: »

That and the corny promortion of the book at the end didn't go down too well, but saying that will definitely read it.

Can't remember exact specifics, but he was a bit dismissive of Gary. Gary was saying that he knew more or less exactly who was on drugs in swimming, whereas Eamonn said he had no idea who was on drugs in running. When Bill (out on his own in presenting the Olympics I think, an incredible performance night after night, obviously enjoying it, asks the right questions etc. etc., good on you Bill) asked how it could be different in the two sports, Eamonn more or less said that as Gary was getting trashed by these people he'd know they were on drugs, but as Eamonn was beating these fellows anyway, even though he was clean, it wasn't as relevant, or something to that effect. It was a bit of a 'show me your medals' moment I thought. Myself and the OH just looked at each other and said, 'what a w*nker' but in fairness, anytime I've seen him down at the track coaching his son or whatever he seems a very nice fellow. Might have just come out funny.

Thats a pretty good summary.

hunnymonster

Yes Sunday was cringe worthy. Both from the endless promotion/plugging and rude comments. Unlike the other posters, I didn't realise this was Coughlans attitude and it has certainly put me off.

thirtyfoot

hunnymonster wrote: »

Yes Sunday was cringe worthy. Both from the endless promotion/plugging and rude comments. Unlike the other posters, I didn't realise this was Coughlans attitude and it has certainly put me off.

I don't think he is usually that bad but my wife says she won't buy the book because of it so I can see how it would turn people off (she'll read it when I buy it though). He is confident and it can be sometimes be arrogance. The '83 World Final when he won Gold and with 150m to go looked in the Russians eyes and shaked the fist, classic stuff but also very arrogant and disrespecting. But that's Coghlan, he is a legend of the sport and is a god in the USA. News that his son was an athlete and competing and winning junior titles here would make the chatboards or track sites in the States, the love him and anything to do with him. He was on a promotion buzz and probably got carried away, the arms in the air at the end of the piece on Sunday was hilarious, all he needed to finish it off was kiss the finger and point it at O' Toole as he had nailed his ass in the interview:D:D The Chairman of the Boards still has the swagger:cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGXGTfGB

shels4ever

I thouhg O'Toole did well not to point out the fact that with all his great talent he never won an olympic medal..

I've met him a few times and had a chat once with him in santry when i was about 16, seemed sound but still full of himself... but with good reason too...there is one thing been cocky but if you can back it up

Bobby04

I really wish I had seen this on Sunday, because one thing that caught my ear when he was on the radio Saturday morning was how embarrassed he was in the early stages when he started to show talent. I guess by the sounds of it he's well over that shyness now! :rolleyes:

hunnymonster

I'm with your wife Tingle but would love to read the story. catch 22. It's not the cockiness so much I found hard but the I'm-better-than-you attitude. I see a huge difference between "I'm great" and "I'm great ergo you're crap" if that makes sense.

Stupid_Private

I read an article in the Indo on Saturday where he was talking about coming close to using drugs. Personally I don't really believe it and I think it's a soundbite to get some publicity to sell books...

...BUT... if it's true why isn't the question being asked of him who the doctor in the US he visited was and who gave him the perscription which he was allegedly given and threw away?

I was faced with a question, will I or won't I? At the time of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, I was now basically an old man for an athlete and so I investigated it and met with a particular doctor in America who told me how it would help me overcome injuries, in terms of allowing me to train harder for longer and recover quicker without breaking down. So I almost came close to crossing the line

shels4ever

Well who needs drugs if you can do this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbF-Hv5yfLM

Pherekydes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qthi7ZnNdAA

See what Coghlan was made of early in his career (75). Also what the world missed in 1976 (the epic duel between Bayi and Walker).

showry

Years ago I worked with a guy who was in his club and apparently after training he'd invite them all back to the house to watch videos of himself

shels4ever

pure class if its true

thirtyfoot

shels4ever wrote: »

pure class if its true

The legend grows.

I'd say he is still in good shape, I'd wonder what he'd do for the mile now. I saw him in Santry coaching his guys couple of months back and they were belting out 26/27's in their 200's. He would time the guys at or near the 200 mark and cut across the infield and dodging Eileen's divits and be at the finish comfortably to get the guys finish time, not bad for an old man.

shels4ever

Does anyone know if he'll be doing a book signing . Would be something i'd like to get.

His indoor mile record is still the second fast of all times and only bettered by el Guerrouj so thats still some time.

I've watched this race so many times
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGXGTfGB_wc