Coughlan documentary on RTE1 Now

G-Money

This Sporting Life, its on now.

Kristopherus

Super programme.

G-Money

I missed most of it, will have to see if its on RTE Player or something.

ger664

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1090093

Available until 17th Feb

eliwallach

Every time I see the Montreal 1500m final I'm willing him into third place...
Of course he always finishes 4th .

That said, the Helsinki 5000m final is always something to savour.

The Orb

Did anyone else not think that he was shockingly arrogant, how many times did he refer to himself in the third person?!!

TheRoadRunner

The Orb wrote: »

Did anyone else not think that he was shockingly arrogant, how many times did he refer to himself in the third person?!!

I don't think it's arrogance, it's just self confidence. I enjoyed this program, lots of footage and photos I've never seen before.

The Orb

I really enjoyed it, I remember watching Helsinki when I was 12 and shouting at the TV. Let's just say he isn't lacking in self belief.

TheRoadRunner

The Orb wrote: »

Let's just say he isn't lacking in self belief.

True but it's probably that same self belief that allowed him to win a world champs after finishing 2nd in the olympics twice. That would have finished most runners careers.

It's gas the way the Irish in general hate to see somebody who is self confident. I suppose that is why he is loved in the US, they love to see confidence in an individual. And in fairness to flamin' eamonn he could back it up.

marchino

Having read his autobiography (I am not a big book person but, this is a must for all runners) and just looking at that documentary, its clear he was some what shy as a kid.
The running brought about self confidence and belief and if more (of us) irish people were like that, instead of moaning what could have been, or ''if that had happened'' or ''look at him, the big confident f**k*r'', we would be far better off.
He was a fine athlete and a fine example of how life should be led.
When knocked back, don't give in and believe in yourself.
His girlfriend, now wife was a big influence in keeping him on the straight it appears and her influence in his progression from hugely talented junior, to world class athlete, should not be ignored either :-)

a_non_a_mouse

I thought it was a great program.
and with regarding him being arrogant, I didn't think he came accross as arrogant, but in all fairness he's one of a small number of Irish athletes who achieved at the very highest level and if any of them are a bit arrogant, then in my opinion they earned that right.

Self belief and confidence are vital to achieve what he achieved, I just think he had that in abundance....

Still get a shiver when I see Helsinki again....

Guy is a true legend, they don't come around too often.

ThisRegard

It was a very good program all right, and reiterate what was has already been said, I don't see any arrogance coming through.

I remember being at some race as a kid and he was mobbed when he made an appearance, but I managed to squeeze through and get his autograph.

nerraw1111

Great documentary.

Didn't think he was arrogant at all. Admitted he made stupid mistakes but at the same he knew he was one of the best in the world.

He even pre-empted accusations of being arrogant in the programme by saying he was sure some people in Ireland were thinking what a big head when he shook his hand on the last bend at Helsinki.

notsofast

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

allowed him to win a world champs after finishing 2nd in the olympics twice

if only

shotgunmcos

The Orb wrote: »

Did anyone else not think that he was shockingly arrogant, how many times did he refer to himself in the third person?!!

I've 2 words for you USAIN BOLT :P
How many kids are showing up to tracks on Saturday mornings because of his "arrogance" at the Olympic 100m final


Anyway, yep I though it was an excellent programme. He has obviously relived that 2nd 4th place a million times and you could see the hurt in his eyes still there.

The WC Gold was just spectacular to watch. I'm sure there are moments when Haile, El Gerrouj (sp?), Bekele et al knew exactly when they had the win, granted in some cases for that lot it may have been 2km out. Still the onlooker doesn't grasp it. I love the way he looked at that Russian, knew he had him and couldn't contain himself. Rememeber what he had in his short's pocket? It was sheer delight, and a joy to watch him follow through. I had a lump in my throat like I was watching it live!

T runner

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

It's gas the way the Irish in general hate to see somebody who is self confident. I suppose that is why he is loved in the US, they love to see confidence in an individual. And in fairness to flamin' eamonn he could back it up.

To be fair its arrogance rather than self confidence that is a trait disliked here (and other countries.)

I read his book and he came across as a man with underlying low self esteem and a large ego. I think he had some problems with learning growing up, but his Parents seem to ahve been very supportive. I wouldnt judge him for that, thats not an uncommon weakness in the modern world especially one who was viewed so highly in the States and achieved so much.

I attended a book signing of his and during my turn i asked him hypothetically what he could have ran for a marathon at his peak, if that was his chosen event. He reckoned he may have got close to the Irish record or 2:10 and id believe that. He was very friendly, honest and genuine here.

I also asked him would he ever consider coming out for an IMRA hill run. He also answered this question thoughtfully and honestly although i couldnt possibly print what he said here!

TheRoadRunner

T runner wrote: »

To be fair its arrogance rather than self confidence that is a trait disliked here (and other countries.)

Nope disagree with you here. Confident people are seen as pricks in my opinion. I suppose everybody is entitled to their own opinion so I take your point.

Pisco Sour

Could somebody please upload this on youtube or provide a link where I can watch this. I'm in Australia so I cant view ANYTHING on the RTE online media player :mad:

gerard65

Could'nt believe he's nearly 60, he could pass for at least 10 years younger.

T runner

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Nope disagree with you here. Confident people are seen as pricks in my opinion. I suppose everybody is entitled to their own opinion so I take your point.

I think most Irish people are very sound...(my family, friends etc are Irish after all). We tend to amplify and overemphasise our shortcomings sometimes, often to our own collective detriment. Nothing wrong with being confident: arrogance is neither a rational nor a logical state of mind though. Just clarifying my opinion and i take yours on board.

PVincent

excellent programme ...great to see footage of the old CCs & National Champs etc ...would love to see more of that stuff ...Athletics Ireland should try and get hold of all that Archive stuff RTE have and keep it ...

Anyhow, Eamonn is one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet...I have been on a couple of trips to the NEw York Marathon with him when running for Crumlin Hospital and I have met him at other athletics events over the years . I can recall him bending overbackwards and jumping thro hoops in 2005 to get two extra places in the NY marathon for two of my friends ...He didnt have to do it but he did and I am forever grateful to him for that ..He always has a kind word whenever I see him and I dont think he is arrogant in any way at all ....In fact when you see what he really did achieve , he actually downplays it ....He was an absolute God in NY and in 2003 he joined us on a loosener with his sons (only kids then) and it was astonshing to see how many Americans wanted a piece of him, shouted Hi to him , waved at him etc etc , and how many years was that after he finished ...
Just before Christmas we had the oppurtnity in Aviva to do a photo shoot with him when promoting the Gerry Farnan CC ....good fun but what impressed me was the way he interacted beautifully with a little old lady who was walking on the canal and got the photographer to take some fantastic shots of her and him together ...She knew who he was but it was a very special and nice moment ( I think you might see photos on Sportsfile site )

Eamonn Coghlan - Ireland greatest Male athlete ??? I think so

Enduro

PVincent wrote: »

Eamonn Coghlan - Ireland greatest Male athlete ??? I think so

For me, greatest Irish athlete, Male or female.

Pisco Sour

Enduro wrote: »

For me, greatest Irish athlete, Male or female.

Greatest male maybe, but IMO the stats dont lie. Sonia achieved much more (not to mention all the additional medals she was robbed of by very very dodgey athletes).

In terms of Male I'd probably put Pat O'Callaghan first to be honest, then its a shootout between Delaney, Treacy and Eamonn after that.

RoyMcC

04072511 wrote: »

In terms of Male I'd probably put Pat O'Callaghan first to be honest.

Good call, though you'd maybe bracket him with Sheridan? Tough to compare field with track though...

G-Money

The only thing I hated about the programme was how short it was. I reckon they could easily have stretched it out to an hour or more.

robinph

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Rememeber what he had in his short's pocket?

Now you can't be making a comment like that and leaving those of us without an Irish IP guessing what your on about.

gerard65

robinph wrote: »

Now you can't be making a comment like that and leaving those of us without an Irish IP guessing what your on about.

LOL. I'll put you out of your misery. He visited the grave of his first coach, Gerry Farnham, a man who had a big influence on his life, before he went to the world championships in '83, and plucked a few blades of grass from the grave and had them tucked into a little pocket in his shorts for the race.

JosDel

Enjoyed that..remember those finals in 76 and 80 well..Though the part where he was getting bullied and his father pulled out a gun was funny...

plodder

Didn't see all of it, but it brought back some great memories of the 80's - like "Yifter the Shifter" and the famous "salute" to the Russian guy in the 5000m world champs. Was he arrogant? I don't know, but I think I'd prefer arrogance over false modesty in people like that.

TheRoadRunner

Enduro wrote: »

For me, greatest Irish athlete, Male or female.

Sonia greatest for me.

Coghlan and Tracey top of male list. Mark Carroll up there as well based on range of PBs/national records

robinph

gerard65 wrote: »

LOL. I'll put you out of your misery. He visited the grave of his first coach, Gerry Farnham, a man who had a big influence on his life, before he went to the world championships in '83, and plucked a few blades of grass from the grave and had them tucked into a little pocket in his shorts for the race.

That actually clears up a couple of things for me. Firstly that mcos wasn't trying to change the tone of the forum. But also some comment from a former manager of mine who once mentioned up the pub about how his dad used to be an athletics coach. Somehow I had never linked the two together, even knowing of the XC race that is named after him.

Now I feel a bit stupid. I never knew about the grass thing though.

IrishTrackFan1

Have known Eamon for a long long time even though not a close personal friend by any means. Far from being arrogant he is the most grounded person you could meet. Plus he has time for everyone, is tightly bound into the sport at the grass roots level and has been an exemplary ambassador for many decades. His coaching of his son John and the steady pace at which he has brought him along is an example to all parents.
It often amuses me that the typical Irish punter sees him as getting above himself while John Treacy is seen as modest and retiring!

T runner

IrishTrackFan1 wrote: »

Have known Eamon for a long long time even though not a close personal friend by any means. Far from being arrogant he is the most grounded person you could meet. Plus he has time for everyone, is tightly bound into the sport at the grass roots level and has been an exemplary ambassador for many decades. His coaching of his son John and the steady pace at which he has brought him along is an example to all parents.
It often amuses me that the typical Irish punter sees him as getting above himself while John Treacy is seen as modest and retiring!

I think very few Irish people would think of Coghlan as getting above himself.
He did display signs of egoa s a younger man and this may have helped him to some degree but IMO opinion mitigated against him more often.

The Montreal final was a case in point. He thought he was going to win which is a good thing, but there definately was ego in his preparation for taht race rather than rational self confidence.

The night before the Montreal final he shaved his legs in anticipation of how he would look during that race. He cut and irritated his legs meaning that he didnt sleep and lined up doubtful. He made tactical errors for sure but his psychological preparation was bordering on self-sabotage.

Compare with Helsinki. He was grounded, confident. He knew what he needed to do to win and he prepared accordingly, there was no bull****.

Coghlan is not an arrogant man. He is warm, generous and confident. At some points in his career though he displayed arrogance, which hurt him.

His victory fist shake in Helsinki was a reaction to realising he was going to win, that the predesignated point on the track was approaching where he was going to take off. He had just looked back and saw a 20-30 metre gap behind to third place, and he knew the man beside him would not live with the kick he was about to make. It was pure joy, based on a plan coming together, the culmination of a lifetimes work and just the hapiness of the moment. The concentrated antidote to all those hours of pain.

I dont think any Irish person who watched it would have it any other way.

That does not mean he had not been arrogant during his career. And that has little to do with the average Irish punter being begrudging.

There is a difference between arrogance and confident self belief. In Coghlans career it was the difference between 4th place and Gold.

Pisco Sour

T runner wrote: »

The night before the Montreal final he shaved his legs in anticipation of how he would look during that race. He cut and irritated his legs meaning that he didnt sleep and lined up doubtful. He made tactical errors for sure but his psychological preparation was bordering on self-sabotage.

He shaved his legs as he stupidly thought that it would give him an an advantage with regards wind resistance or some sh1te like that. It really was infuriating to read about him putting such unnecessary suffering on himself.

The real problem with the 76 final was his coach though. According to his book, just a day before the final he planted doubts in his head saying that as the top guys were quick over 800m Coghlan needed to make the race fast. Before this he planned to run his own race. Wait and kick. Simple as that. After being told to change tactics it confused him and sadly he couldnt either 1) adapt his tactics or 2) ignore his coaches advice, and he ended up outkicked out of the medals.

A facinating read.