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Mark McGwire – In a League of His Own

By John Kernaghan

November/December 1998

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Tom Carroll's voice cracks and he admits tears are forming when he talks about Mark McGwire, the young giant whom he coached at Damien High School in LaVerne, California, and watched cast a huge shadow over baseball this summer. "Sorry, I get all hyped up and the passion flows. But I hope in time that Mark is remembered more for the human being he is than the home runs he hit." … [Read more...] about Mark McGwire – In a League of His Own

A Gold For Ireland

By Fiona Audley

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SWIMMER Daniel Wiffen has ‘written himself into the history books’ by becoming Ireland’s first gold medalist of the Paris Olympics and the first man to ever secure a medal in the pool for Ireland. The Armagh native swam his way to victory on July 30, securing an Olympic gold medal in the final of the men’s 800m freestyle, in a new Olympic record time of 7:38.19. In doing so the … [Read more...] about A Gold For Ireland

A Coach, a Friend, a Mentor, and a
Chariots of Fire Moment

By Joe Quinlan
IA Newsletter, August 3, 2024

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The 21st century Paris Olympics are in full swing … exactly 100 years since the 1924 Olympics, made famous by the Oscar-winning “Chariots of Fire” movie (cue the theme music and the iconic beach running scene). Some 50 years ago, I had a brief intersection with those same Olympics, but youthful arrogance on my part limited the impact. In September 1975, I had a chance encounter … [Read more...] about

A Coach, a Friend, a Mentor, and a
Chariots of Fire Moment

Tom Donnelly at the Finish Line
With Lessons for us all

By Mike Jensen
IA Newsletter, August 3, 2024

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“Thirty-five of the hardest races I ever ran," Donnelly said of his own cancer treatment.The value of competing. Tom Donnelly lived it, coached it, studied it, preached it. Donnelly thought he understood it. Competing was, in a sense, this man’s life’s work. Partnering with his athletes, guiding them until … [Read more...] about

Tom Donnelly at the Finish Line
With Lessons for us all

100 Years of Ireland at the Olympics

By Mary Cucinell
IA Newsletter, July 27, 2024

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The eyes of the world were on Paris for the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony on Friday with 300,000 spectators expected to be in attendance and another 1.5 billion watching from around the world as Team Ireland sends its largest delegation of athletes.Paris 1924In 1924, history unfolded at the Paris Olympics! For the very first time, an Irish delegation marched proudly under the … [Read more...] about 100 Years of Ireland at the Olympics