Ireland had a reasonable showing at the 2016 Summer Olympics with two silver medals, including the country’s first for rowing (see right). But what about the Irish diaspora? How did the descendants of emigrants fare in the Rio games? And what would Ireland’s team score have looked like if the diaspora competed as a country? Here are the most obviously Irish medalists from … [Read more...] about The Irish Olympic Diaspora
Sports Archives
Silver Streak:
Ireland’s Olympic Medals
Gary and Paul O’Donovan, of Lisheen, Co. Cork, made history at the Rio Olympic Games in August when they secured the country’s first ever medal in a rowing event. The brothers, who sped from fifth position at the halfway point, came in second place in the lightweight men’s double sculls, a feat which also marked Ireland’s first medal won at this year’s Olympics.
The brothers’ … [Read more...] about Silver Streak:
Ireland’s Olympic Medals
Baseball Legend: Bill “Rough” Carrigan
By Ray Cavanaugh, Contributor
Managing Babe Ruth, winning multiple World Series, and the no-nonsense authority of Bill “Rough” Carrigan. To control a brash young Babe Ruth – who joined the Boston Red Sox at age 19, fresh out of an institution for troubled youths – a strong presence was needed. Enter Red Sox player-manager Bill “Rough” Carrigan, who, despite his average size, was a notorious brawler, viewed … [Read more...] about Baseball Legend: Bill “Rough” Carrigan
Shannon Gaels: Field of Dreams
The Shannon Gaels GAA Club in New York is one step closer to building its field of dreams – a children’s playing field in Frank Golden Park in College Point, New York. In January, Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan, TD announced that the Irish government will give €250,000 to develop the site. The GAA has also received €45,000 in funding under the Emigrant Support … [Read more...] about Shannon Gaels: Field of Dreams
John McDermott:
Golf Hall of Famer
John McDermott is finally getting his due over a hundred years after he became the first American to win the U.S. Open national golf championship. Winning at the age of 19, he also remains the youngest golfer to do so.
After winning the 1910 Philadelphia Open, the 1911 U.S. Open, the 1911 Philadelphia Open, the 1912 U.S. Open, the 1913 Philadelphia Open, the 1913 Western Open, … [Read more...] about John McDermott:
Golf Hall of Famer