What 'Legends' Have I Missed?

Mick Rice

Some of you might know that I write a piece for Irish Runner magazine on the 'legends' of Irish running for each issue. I usually profile distance runners who did their running in the 50's 60's and 70's and concentrate on athletes that, although they achieved amazing things, are not as well remembered as others. In the main these are people who have won national championships and have represented Ireland in internatonal competition. It's also true however that the most interesting stories don't always come from the people who won the most races. So far I've covered the following athletes;

Ann O'Brien
Ailish Smyth
Bertie Messitt
Brian Geraghty
Danny McDaid
Donie Walsh
Harry Gorman
Jim McDonagh
Jim McNamara
Mick Molloy
Noel Henry
Tommy Madden
Willie Dunne
Willie Morris

Although I have one or two more people lined up, I was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to other people I should talk with. I'm very conscious that there are only two women on the list and so female interviewee would be extra welcome.

heffsarmy

Brendan O'Shea who also writes for Irish runner gave us a talk 2 weeks ago in Donore, some great stories to tell. He was a very good marathon runner. I liked your artical about Willie Dunne was talking to him last night about the article, very modest man.

TheRoadRunner

Padraig Keane ?

Had a great conversation at a euro XC championships with him a few years back about his early days in running and how he ended up running for clonliffe.

Mick Rice

Thanks. Willie's a lovely man, and as you say, so modest and unassuming. I gave him a lift out to Santry for the T&F after we had spoken in the Donore clubhouse and felt privileged to have him in the car.

Mick Rice

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Padraig Keane ?
QUOTE]

Tell me more. Who did he run for ?

TheRoadRunner

Mick Rice wrote: »

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Padraig Keane ?
QUOTE]

Tell me more. Who did he run for ?

I'll PM you later.

oldrunner

How about the late Noel Carroll (might be too well known)?

ecoli

Christine Kennedy could be one, two time Dublin Marathon winner (90,91) with a 2.35 marathon (same as sonia did on dublin) failed to make the Olympics buts still a great athlete.

Might be a bit too modern an athlete compared to your usual

Teej

Do you want to stick with distance runners or would you consider other disciplines?

Mick Rice

Teej - I'd be open to any and all suggestions!

Mick Rice

ecoli wrote: »

Christine Kennedy could be one, two time Dublin Marathon winner (90,91) with a 2.35 marathon (same as sonia did on dublin) failed to make the Olympics buts still a great athlete.

Might be a bit too modern an athlete compared to your usual

Christine has been a person I've had in my sights for ages and I've tried to talk with her a few times. I believe she resides in the states now and I e-mailed her at an address that I was given but unfortunately didn't get a reply. I'm guessing that the email never got to her. If anyone knows how to contact her perhaps they could PM me with details.

Mick.

Teej

Maeve Kyle (if not too well known) or Phil Conway?

thirtyfoot

If open to non distance runners then Maeve Kyle.

Top athlete herself
Pioneer for women in sport
Cross-community sport in Northern Ireland
Top coach to many athletes

Would tell an interesting tale.

longjump67

Might I suggest Hugo Duggan 7 time Irish long jump champion spanning from the 60's to the 80's

a_non_a_mouse

Phil Conway +1

menoscemo

Mick Rice would be a bit of a legend in my book

runsalot

Mick Neville Tullamore Harriers.

Mick Rice

Folks - This thread was very useful and I've had loads of ideas from it. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions on the thread and in PMs. Yesterday I met up with Dick Hooper and Brendan O'Shea both of who were suggested to me here and the plan is to cover Dick's career in the Dublin Marathon issue and Brendan for the Annual at the end of the year.

If anyone gets any inspiration on this topic at any stage in the future please let me know as I'll hopefully be covering these wonderful athletes for many issues to come.

Woundedknee.

Don't forget Paul Donovan.* In 1978 at age 14 he set an irish schools minor record of 2mins for 800 metres which still stands.* He ran in the world junior cross country championships when he was only 15 and won multiple national titles at every distance from 800 metres upwards which included steeplechase and cross country and also went on to run in two Olympics.* A nicer man you wouldn't meet and well worth talking to.

Magnet

Mick Rice wrote: »

I gave him a lift out to Santry for the T&F after we had spoken in the Donore clubhouse and felt privileged to have him in the car.

I had Ron Hill in the back of my Fiesta!!! :D (it`s true and I`ve photos!;))

Seriously though I`d like to see Doina Nugent on the list but again not as far back as you wanted [80/90`s]...

pgibbo

Magnet wrote: »

Seriously though I`d like to see Doina Nugent on the list but again not as far back as you wanted [80/90`s]...

Is that one of the Nugent's from Galway. The lady that won the Galway City Marathon at one stage?

RodSteel

Woundedknee. wrote: »

Don't forget Paul Donovan.* In 1978 at age 14 he set an irish schools minor record of 2mins for 800 metres which still stands.* He ran in the world junior cross country championships when he was only 15 and won multiple national titles at every distance from 800 metres upwards which included steeplechase and cross country and also went on to run in two Olympics.* A nicer man you wouldn't meet and well worth talking to.

Yes and he is from Galway too