Greatest Irish field eventer?

ecoli

Normally these are based around are runners but I thought this might cause a bit more debate. Who do you think is our best Field eventer (including jumps) man or woman? I am gonna say post 1940 given O Callaghan's Olympic success prior to this.

Some of the names which come to mind would be Eileen O Keeffe, Terry Mc Hugh, Deirdre Ryan and Nick Sweeney

Interesting to get a not so clear cut list we are all used to popping up

RoyMcC

Difficult to see further than Terry Mac with 21 consecutive national titles.

Then Eileen, 15 titles and one of our few field eventers in recent times to touch world class.

ecoli

RoyMcC wrote: »

Difficult to see further than Terry Mac with 21 consecutive national titles.

Then Eileen, 15 titles and one of our few field eventers in recent times to touch world class.

While Terry's National dominance is pretty staggering I would imagine that Sweeneys CV is as impressive given higher placing in a Global Championship

Sure if you look at it Nick Sweeney has an impressive resume;
16 National titles, 3 Olympics, 3 WC (as well as a 6th place)

Compared to Terry's best placing of 10th in WC (though admittedly he did go to 5 WC and 4 Olympics)

dna_leri

RoyMcC wrote: »

Difficult to see further than Terry Mac with 21 consecutive national titles.

Then Eileen, 15 titles and one of our few field eventers in recent times to touch world class.

I'm with Roy on these two. Terry McHugh just dominated nationally for a generation and Eileen O'Keefe came so close on the world stage.

However when you look back on the last 70 years we have not had enough real world class field eventers. Nobody of the stature of Derval O'Rourke or Paul Hession.
Hopefully some of the new emerging talent can make a break-through.

Chivito550

Nick Sweeney is still so underrated. He threw 67m. Have a look at recent Olympics and World Championships to see how far a 67m throw gets one. He never quite nailed it on the big occasion (6th at Worlds, 4th at Euros his best) but 67m shows he had the ability to medal. No disrespect to Terry McHugh but he is not in the same league.

Clearlier

Chivito550 wrote: »

Nick Sweeney is still so underrated. He threw 67m. Have a look at recent Olympics and World Championships to see how far a 67m throw gets one. He never quite nailed it on the big occasion (6th at Worlds, 4th at Euros his best) but 67m shows he had the ability to medal. No disrespect to Terry McHugh but he is not in the same league.

Sweeney and Eileen are the only two I can think of who threatened to medal in international competition. McHugh's longevity (and versatility given his participation in the winter games) is impressive but I'm not sure that he got to any finals (maybe 1?) of international competitions and he never came close to a medal even in the year where he cleared 80m.

Chivito550

Lets not forget John Lawlor who finished 4th in the hammer at the 1960 Olympics. Post 1940 that would be the highest placing by any Irish field eventer in a global championships. Could argue the point though that Sweeney competed in a tougher era but still worthy of consideration.

ecoli

Clearlier wrote: »

McHugh's longevity (and versatility given his participation in the winter games) i

While not really applicable in this debate I think it is interesting to note that he is among the top list for athletes to appear at most Olympic Games with 6 appearances

Clearlier

ecoli wrote: »

While not really applicable in this debate I think it is interesting to note that he is among the top list for athletes to appear at most Olympic Games with 6 appearances

It is but if we were applying the same criteria now in terms of hitting A standards in order to participate he probably wouldn't have been at many of those. I'll stop now though because I don't really want to talk down McHugh's achievement which are outstanding. I'd much rather talk up Sweeney and O'Keefe.

notsofast

In terms of achievements if has to be McHugh.

Such a shame that Adrian O'Dwyer didn't get to fullfill his potential. His 2.30m NR is going to be around for a while. (2:29 medalled in London.)

longjump67

I would have to say Terry Mc Hugh for me, the man was just an assume athlete. I remember competing against him in the national league in the mid 1980's, and almost speering him in the foot through total lack of knowledge for the event and plain stupidity on my part. He just walk over towards me (Towering above me) and quietly said be careful now, I tell you I was shaking in my boots.
Eileen yes the best female Field eventer.

Chivito550

Brendan Reilly came 8th in the high jump at the 1999 World championships,, jumping 2:29, as valid a contender as any for this.

I think the fact we can count all names on 2 hands speaks volumes. If the right structures and coaching was there then there's no reason why we couldn't be competitive on a world stage in these disciplines. There's less reliance on genetics as there is on the track. Look at the success the Swedes had during the 2000s.

6-7 men entered the national decathlon last year. That's woeful. And the event is totally marginalised as it is not held on the same weekend as the rest of the rest of the national championships.

RoyMcC

Chivito550 wrote: »

Brendan Reilly came 8th in the high jump at the 1999 World championships,, jumping 2:29, as valid a contender as any for this.

Indeed, though he wasn't around for long*, like O'Dwyer.

Looking back at the old stats Dick O'Rafferty 15 national titles between 1934 - 1950. OK, different times, equipment, techniques etc. Donore have (had) a great heritage in high jumping.

* To be fair he was competing throughout the 90s, hitting nice heights.

Oiriallach

I would rate Thelma Hopkins as Ireland's greatest field eventer since 1940. She won the European and Commonwealth High Jump titles in 1954 (and also got a silver in the Commonwealth Long Jump). In May 1956 she set a world record of 1.74m in the High Jump and went on to take silver in the Olympic Games later that year.

Chivito550

Oiriallach wrote: »

I would rate Thelma Hopkins as Ireland's greatest field eventer since 1940. She won the European and Commonwealth High Jump titles in 1954 (and also got a silver in the Commonwealth Long Jump). In May 1956 she set a world record of 1.74m in the High Jump and went on to take silver in the Olympic Games later that year.

If we are including athletes who represented Great Britain then may aswell go for Mary Peters, Olympic gold in pentathlon.

longjump67

Oiriallach wrote: »

I would rate Thelma Hopkins as Ireland's greatest field eventer since 1940. She won the European and Commonwealth High Jump titles in 1954 (and also got a silver in the Commonwealth Long Jump). In May 1956 she set a world record of 1.74m in the High Jump and went on to take silver in the Olympic Games later that year.

Shows how little I know never heard of this athletes before, mind you say she won commonwealth titles can I assume she competed for GB & NI perhaps that's why I have not heard of her before.

Oiriallach

In athletics Thelma Hopkins represented Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games and the UK in the Olympic Games and European Championships. At that time I think the Irish athletics team only included athletes from the Republic of Ireland. She also represented Ireland (and Great Britain & Ireland) in hockey and Ireland in squash.

A couple of links if you're interested in finding out more about her:

http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/e-inspire/hall-of-fame-athletes/thelma-hopkins/
http://www.sportsmanager.ie/uploaded/8089/hallfame/thelma_hopkins.pdf

Peppershaken

notsofast wrote: »

In terms of achievements if has to be McHugh.

Such a shame that Adrian O'Dwyer didn't get to fullfill his potential. His 2.30m NR is going to be around for a while. (2:29 medalled in London.)

Adrian O'Dwyer's NR might go sooner than you think

notsofast

Peppershaken wrote: »

Adrian O'Dwyer's NR might go sooner than you think

I'm intrigued ! Kourosh jumped 220 in 2010, anything higher, other than A'OD was jumped in the 90's. YOu think Cussen is the man or do you have someone else in mind?

Peppershaken

notsofast wrote: »

I'm intrigued ! Kourosh jumped 220 in 2010, anything higher, other than A'OD was jumped in the 90's. YOu think Cussen is the man or do you have someone else in mind?

Don’t you just love a bit of intrigue. I definitely have someone else in mind, but have been told I’m not allowed to let the cat out of the bag just yet. Keep your eyes opened over the next few months and all will be revealed, or sooner if I’m given the thumbs up.:D

notsofast

Peppershaken wrote: »

Don’t you just love a bit of intrigue. I definitely have someone else in mind, but have been told I’m not allowed to let the cat out of the bag just yet. Keep your eyes opened over the next few months and all will be revealed, or sooner if I’m given the thumbs up.:D

Ah here, u can't do that! Rant thread here I come

Peppershaken

notsofast wrote: »

Ah here, u can't do that! Rant thread here I come

I’m so sorry notsofast, I totally understand if you feel the need to rant, I would if I was you. I was only told ‘that I’m not to say anything just yet’ after my first post, and to be truthful I didn’t expect anyone to get back to me so quickly. If you give me another week I should be able to reveal all.

Once again my apologies for jumping the gun.:o

ecoli

Peppershaken wrote: »

I’m so sorry notsofast, I totally understand if you feel the need to rant, I would if I was you. I was only told ‘that I’m not to say anything just yet’ after my first post, and to be truthful I didn’t expect anyone to get back to me so quickly. If you give me another week I should be able to reveal all.

Once again my apologies for jumping the gun.:o

To be honest I think for the sake of the athlete that is probably the best idea. There is no point putting pressure on an athlete, let their performances speak for themselves

Over the least few years I have heard a number of "reports" about the shape athletes were in and killer sessions they have done. Thankfully the most recent ones I heard came to fruition but with so many variables there can always be an unexpected factor.

Look at the general publics perspective. People are delighted when we medal at major championships yet if we are expected to do well and for what ever reason don't their is outcry (think O'Lionaird in the Olympics as an example)

Chivito550

Peppershaken wrote: »

I’m so sorry notsofast, I totally understand if you feel the need to rant, I would if I was you. I was only told ‘that I’m not to say anything just yet’ after my first post, and to be truthful I didn’t expect anyone to get back to me so quickly. If you give me another week I should be able to reveal all.

Once again my apologies for jumping the gun.:o

Bonndarenko has a long lost Irish granny? Waiting for paperwork to be fast tracked before you can say anything?

Peppershaken

ecoli wrote: »

To be honest I think for the sake of the athlete that is probably the best idea. There is no point putting pressure on an athlete, let their performances speak for themselves

Over the least few years I have heard a number of "reports" about the shape athletes were in and killer sessions they have done. Thankfully the most recent ones I heard came to fruition but with so many variables there can always be an unexpected factor.

Look at the general publics perspective. People are delighted when we medal at major championships yet if we are expected to do well and for what ever reason don't their is outcry (think O'Lionaird in the Olympics as an example)

Thanks ecoli for your understanding,:) I totally agree with everything you said and I certainly don't want to place any extra pressure on the athlete.

Chivito550 wrote: »

Bonndarenko has a long lost Irish granny? Waiting for paperwork to be fast tracked before you can say anything?

Lol. Did you happen to see the large team he had behind him at the last WC, I thought the whole of the Ukraine was in the stands. I doubt if they would let him leave the stadium without their say so let alone the country.:D