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Sport In The Rosses 1958
Preface
We present to the reader an account of the achievement of Rosses' men in the athletic field, for we believe that it is imperative that someone of this generation should undertake this task otherwise the record of a glorious chapter in the history of Rosses' athletes may be lost forever. It is only to be expected that in a history of this kind, which extends over the years, names may be omitted that deserve a place with the best. The reader will understand, however, that those omissions are not deliberate and are simply due to lack of information.
This story is not written in any boastful spirit, save for the legitimate pride one takes in one's native district. If in some future generation, Rosses' youths when reading these pages are proud of the feats of their forbears and determined to uphold their athletic tradition, then the purpose for which this little history has been written will have been achieved.
Rosses' Boxing Club 1958
Part I
ATHLETES OF THE ROSSES
Mountains, lakes, brown bog-land, bare headlands stretching out to meet the Atlantic rollers, rocky islets rising from the deep-such is the Rosses. In summer, when the skies are blue and when the sparking sea, cream bordered, flows over the red gold sands, it is a veritable Mecca for tourists, but in winter, it is dark, forbidding and unprotected from the wild storms roaring in from the depths over the exposed coastline.
Situated in the north-west of Donegal, it is separated from the rest of the county by a mountain barrier, topped by the towering peak of Errigal. The soil is poor and granite rocks abound. It was only with extreme difficulty that our ancestors managed to eke out an existence. They were the descendants of those who had been dispossessed of their lands by the Planters and driven to the barren, rocky soil of the west. No wonder that their Spartan upbringing produced a race of stalwarts that made the name of the Rosses famous far beyond its boundaries. Great as their love was for their native district, emigration was forced upon them. At first the great trek was westwards to the glorious Land of the Free, but there were other countries also waiting to receive them - Australia, New Zealand, South America - and so our exiles journeyed to the far flung spaces of the globe. Their hearts, however, were left in the Rosses, and wherever a colony settled their talk was a home.
Few parishes in Ireland produced better athletes that did the Rosses. The legendary tales of the exploits of the great ones amongst our ancestors are still recounted around the turf fire on a winter's night. Many there were, whose deeds have made them famous in the annals of the parish but in those far off days no record was kept of their achievements and so their deeds of prowess must go un-honoured.
Part II
GREAT ATHELETES
We now emerge from the age of unrecorded deeds into the clear light of the twentieth century, when the stop watch and tape measure gave in prosaic figures times and distances. Comparisons could now be made between our athletes and those from other parts. How did the men of The Rosses meet this challenge? They, themselves, have given their answer in the arenas of the world.
In a parish in which there were so many outstanding athletes, it would be invidious to single out anyone for the fist mention in this history, However, I will be forgiven if I commence the story of the twentieth century athletes with commence the story of our twentieth century athletes with an account of the teats of the Boyle brothers of Bunaman. I gave two good reasons for doing so. Firstly, because they came into prominence in the opening years of the century, and secondly because of their outstanding achievements.
There were four brothers, John Charles Ferrigal and Owen. Three of them, at the time of writing, are still alive - John in England, Ferrigal in Canada and Owen at home in Bunaman. Charles died some years ago. John was the brightest star of the quartette. In his day he had no equal in the parish in track and field events. Emigrating to Scotland, he soon came into prominence there for his athletic ability. Scottish sports writers marked him down as a champion in the making and his deeds did not belie their prophecy.
He won many track and field events throughout Scotland. He won first prize in the 220 yards sprint at Power hall, Glasgow in 1900. At Motherwell in 1901, he won the hop, step and jump (46 feet). In that same year he beat all comers in Edinburgh in the high jump, clearing 5 feet 9 inches.
When it is considered that in the Olympic Games held in St. Louis in 1904, the hop, step and jump was won by M. Prinstein, U.S.A. at 47 feet and the high jump by S. Jones, that John Boyle was a potential world beater and with proper coaching and training would have been and an Olympic gold medallist in at least two events.
If the feats of the others do not reach the exceptionally high standards set by their more famous brother, still their names will be remembered in the annals of Rosses' athletes and their record speaks for itself.
The late Charles Boyle won the hop, step and jump (44ft. 6ins.) and the long jump (20ft. 4ins.) at Haddington, Scotland in 1908. In 1907 at Burtonport, he cleared that at the Olympic Games held three years previously in St. Louis, the high jump was won at 5ft. 11ins; it was no mean feat for an unknown Rosses' man to come within striking distance of the worlds best.
For the record we could bracket the names of Ferrigal and Owen. Both were sergeants in the British army and in the same regiment, the Irish Guards. At the Guards' sports in 1917 Ferrigal Boyle won first prize in a five mile cross country race run on the famous Derby race course at Epsom. In that same year at Tidworth, England his brother Owen matched against the best athletes of that famous regiment, won the long jump clearing 21ft 4ins. Their greatest achievement, however, was yet to come. At Brentwood, Essex in 1917 competing against the flower of the British army the two brothers, Ferrigal and Owen were first and second respectively in a cross country race of 7 miles. Matched against 600 other competitors, the tow Rosses' men not alone led the field but enabled their team of four, No. 1 Company, Irish Guards, to take the honours.
I think it would be in order at this point in our story to move on to a later day, so as to put on record the feats of another member of the clan, Murray Boyle, son of the late Charles Boyle of Bunaman. In the early thirties, Murray was undefeated in the County in the sprints, long jump and hop, step and jump. His record in the long jump was (23ft. 10ins.) made at Falcarragh Sports in 1934 has never been equalled in the County. On that occasion also, he did 45 feet in the hop, step and jump. Murray emigrated to Scotland before he had reached the peak of the athletic maturity and so this scion of the clan who bid fair to outshine his illustrious forebears, was debarred owing to pressure of work, from a glorious career and would in all probability have succeeded in bringing the highest honours to the Rosses and to Ireland.
Another great athlete of a past generation was Manus McCool, or as he is more generally known by his pen-name Fionn Mac Cumhail, the noted Irish writer from Lettercagh in the Upper Rosses. He was an all round athlete but excelled at the long jump and hop step. He won the Irish Senior long jump championship in 1913.
At that time also another all round athlete, Paddy Sharkey (Brian) of Mullaghduff, was winning many victories at sports throughout the county. He usually competed in every event on the programme but was outstanding at the long and high jumps and at putting the 16lb shot. At sports held at Magheragallon on 15th August 1919, he defeated Owen Boyle, one of the famous Boyle brothers of Bunaman in the long jump.
These then were the men who by their athletic feats had set the example for the later day athletes.
Part III
GAMES AT LETTERKENNY
Perhaps the first organised attempt to bring team honours home to the Rosses was made at the Games held in Letterkenny for the purpose of raising funds for St. Eunan's Cathedral.
At that time the late Father Dan Sweeney was curate in Kincasslagh, and well aware of the athletic prowess of his parishioners, he selected a Caman team and a Tug of War team from among the young men of the Lower Rosses to take part in the competitions.
The Caman team included the following:- Charles McBride (Capt.), Gortnasate; Frank O'Donnell, Cruit Island (Goals); James Rodgers, Belcruit; Teague Ward, Meenbannid, Charles Boyle (Neil), Cruit Island; Hugh O'Donnell, Cruit Island; Seamus O'Donnell, Kincasslagh, - all of whom are now deceased. The sole surviving member of the team, is Charles O Donnell of Mullaghderg Mt, who at the time of writing is 81 years of age and still hale and hearty.
The Tug of War team included the following; - Charles O'Donnell, Ballymanus; Charles Harley (Neil), Braade; Charles Harley (James), Bradde; Charles Bonner, Arklands; Anthony Gallagher, Glenahilt; Andrew Sharkey, Keadue; James O' Donnell, Ballymanus. The only one of the Tug of War Team now alive is John Boyle of Roshine.
It was certainly a big undertaking at the time to convey two teams from the Rosses to Letterkenny, a distance of 40 miles over bad roads. There was no train in those days, no motor cars, no busses- nothing only the horse drawn side car- but Father Dan Sweeney was undaunted, for he knew the worth of the Rosses men, and he wished for nothing better than to see them tested against the best in the County.
The day of the Games dawned, and Rosses people were early astir. The journey to Letterkenny via Glendowan, would take almost four hours, so that an early start had to be made. The skies were dark and sombre, as the members of the teams and supporters congregated at the meeting place in Kincasslagh. The n just before they set off on their long journey, the flood gates of the heavens opened, and the rain came down in torrents and it was in this deluge that the follower of the Rosses manhood set out to do battle for the honour of their parish. Thus began that nightmare journey over the bare, unsheltered roads of the Rosses, and the dark valleys of Glendowan.
The Caman team were the first to leave, as the competition in which they were engaged was first on the programme. Soaked to the skin and frozen to the marrow, after their long journey by side car, they arrived in Letterkenny just as the first game was due to commence.
The Rosses team had been drawn against Glenswilly. The men from the west did not ask for any postponement, in order to get dry clothing, but took and field immediately. The hardships they had suffered on their outward journey, seemed only to add sparkle to their play, as they rammed home, goal after goal, without reply against a Glenswilly team that was completely demoralized before the end. The final score was -Rosses - 8 Goals, Glenswilly -0.
Rosses now met Letterkenny in the final. It was early apparent in this game that the Letterkenny team was to provide much stiffer opposition than Glenswilly, but the Rosses men now scenting victory, were not to be denied, and in the end ran out easy winners by 7 goals to 3. Positional changes were made in this game. Charles McBride replaced Frank O' Donnell in goals, and the latter playing now in the forwards, put more bite into the attack. Very little can now be learned of the course of play in the final game. It can be reliable stated, however, that Hugh O'Donnell, of Cruit scored the first goal, booting the ball home as he lost his stick in a clash with an opponent. Seamus O'Donnell of Kincasslagh, though injured, played on to the end. Thus the Rosses Caman team had triumphed. The big question now was, would the Tug of War team emulate their deeds and so make victory complete.
As was stated earlier, the Tug of Wart team had left home later that the Caman team and they were only arriving as the victorious ash wielders were leaving the field, then it was that a member of the Caman team addressed the Tug of war team.
"Boys", he said, "we have done our part-don't let us down".
The Tug of War took place inside the Cathedral building, which was at that time unfinished. The first pull took place between Rosses and Letterkenny, and the hardier and heavier Rosses' men had little difficulty in overcoming their opponents. In the final, the Rosses had to meet a team drawn from the R.I.C. in Derry. Big, brawny and powerful as the Rosses' men were, they looked comparatively light, when matched against the Derry policemen.
The pull was strenuous one. Supporters of both teams cheered, as first one and then the other side, faltered. The honour of the Rosses was at stake, however, and as one of t heir supporters said afterwards, it is doubtful if any team in Ireland could have the Rosses' men on that occasion. With the cheers of their supporters ringing in their ears, the Rosses' team dragged their formidable opponents across the line, and so a double victory was achieved.
Each member of the victorious teams was presented with a silver medal, by the late Cardinal O'Donnell, who was then Bishop of Raphoe. In the course of a short address afterwards, the Bishop congratulated the men who had come from afar and gained the honours that day.
Now began the long trek homewards, across the lonely mountains as night was falling. Good news travels fast, and as they neared the Rosses they could see the hills ringed with bonfires, as the people at home celebrated the victories obtained on that memorable day.
Part IV
LATER DAY ATHLETES
We commenced the history of athletes of a past day with an account of the feats of the Boyle brothers of Bunaman and it is but right that the history of later day Rosses' athletes should commence with the story of the Sweeney brothers of Mullaghderg.
There were three brothers, John, Manus and Pat, and thought all three were sterling athletes, the eldest brother John was destined to become the most famous of them all. Not alone did he outshine his brother athlete but all other athletes in the Rosses, in the county and indeed in the province as well.
Although well above the average as a competitor in field events it was on the track that Sweeney showed his superiority to the full. His rise to fame was meteoric. In 1923, his very first year in competition, he was undefeated in the county in all track events from 440 yards to the 4 miles. In 1924 the Ulster championships (N.A.C.A.) were held at Letterkenny and Sweeney became Ulster champion in two events - the 400 metres and the half mile. In the following year, 1925, he won the 400 metres Ulster Senior Championships at Finner Camp, Co. Donegal.
For the next decade he ruled the roost in Donegal, winning practically all events from the 440 to the 4 miles. So convincing were his victories and so consistent were his performances that the handicapper gave Sweeney's opponents every chance to close that gap which always opened up between him and his nearest rival. Indeed, in a mile race at the Guards' sports in Letterkenny, in the late twenties, I saw Sweeney start from scratch while his nearest rival was off the ninety yards mark. Yet, no matter how heavily the dice was loaded against him, Sweeney was to prove that speed, spirit and determination could overcome all obstacles and he remained undefeated. His greatest triumph at this period was at the Guards' sports in Glenties in 1929 when he defeated George McGann of Dublin in the mile. The latter held the Irish mile senior championship title and had also won the Irish 5 mile cross country championship.
Ten years from that day in 1924, when Sweeney won two Ulster championships titles at Letterkenny, he was to win his last and perhaps the greatest victory of his career. On 15th August 1934 sports were held at Mullaghderg Banks. On holidays in the Rosses at that time was J. Stewart of Glasgow who, a few weeks previously had won the mile championship at Powderhall. Stewart and Sweeney entered for the half mile event and the latter as was his custom took the lead at the last bend. Unaware of the identity of his formidable opponent, however, he left his effort too late and Stewart beat him on the tape.
Then came the mile and in the interval between the two races, Sweeney became aware of the fact tat he was competing against Stewart the Scottish champion. Never having been defeated in the mile, he was now more than ever determined to uphold his great record, Streaking away from the other competitors, Sweeney and Stewart raced side by side. With half the race run they were still together. No change at the three quarter mark. Then, with 100 yards to go, Sweeney made his effort. So did Stewart. Scottish champion and Rosses' champion matched stride for stride in that last desperate lap, and in a grand finish to a grand race the Rosses' man breasted the tape inches ahead of the Scottish champion. Sweeney had won the Rosses Mile of the Century.
When one remembers that at this time John Sweeney was well past his best, one wonders what were his capabilities when at the height of his racing career.
Manus Sweeney, although younger than his more famous brother was the first of the three to come into prominence. In the early twenties, competing at sports all over the count, he was undefeated in the half mile and mile. In 1922 he won the half mile championship of Donegal. As well as being an outstanding runner, Manus also won fame as a racing cyclist winning the mile cycling championships of the county also in 1922. It is a probable that more honours would have come to him but for the fact that he emigrated to America in 1924.
Pat Sweeney, the youngest of the brothers, took up the running-in the literal sense-where the eldest brother had left off. Although not to my knowledge competing in any official championship event, he was undefeated in the half mile and mile at any venue in the county at which he competed. His greatest victory was at Killybegs in 1938 when he defeated J. Nesbitt of Manchester in the 440. The latter had previously been a member of the athletic team which had represented Great Britain in international competitions.
Towards the end of Pat's racing career another Rosses' youth was beginning to show up prominently also in the longer distance events. This was James (Doalty) Sharkey of Mullaghderg and when the last of the famous Sweeney brothers had departed form the athletic scene, Sharkey kept the flag flying for the Rosses with many great victories in the mile and half mile events.
A contemporary of the Sweeney brother was John Sharkey (Pat) of Mullaghduff, who was also outstanding in long distance races.
Another outstanding athlete at this period was Paddy Sweeney of Mullaghduff. An all round athlete, he specialised in the mile, half mile and long jump.
Dan Boyle of Gortnasate, who before joining the National Army had been showing great promise as a long distance runner, fulfilled that promise when he won the Army mile championship and the 5 mile cross country championship.
It is fitting that we should end this story of our long distance runners with an account of the feats of Cyril O Boyle, though his parents were not native of the Rosses, was born in Belcruit and attended Belcruit National School. Reared in an athletic atmosphere, where to shine as an athlete was the main ambition of the Rosses' youths, O'Boyle while yet a school boy outshone all his pals in long distance races. It was no disgrace for his school companions to suffer defeat at the hands of O'Boyle, for one day he was to meet and defeat the best athletes in Ireland.
O'Boyle became attached to Strabane A.C. and soon showed that the mile was his best distance. He won the mile Senior Championship of Ulster in 1950. In 1951 he became Irish, Senior and Junior champions in the 5 miles cross country races. He won the mile senior championship of Ireland in 1952. Not content to rest on his honours he crossed from Glasgow where he then resided to win the 4 miles senior championship of Ireland in 1954. In the latter event he was only a few seconds outside Martin Egan's all time Irish record.
He still competes against the best, especially in cross country events. Rosses' folk claim him as their own and wish him well.
Although not so famous as the long distance runners, there were many excellent athletes in the Rosses at this period in the sprints and field events. Outstanding sprinters were Kevin Sweeney, Dungloe; Patrick Boyle, Gortnasate; Murray Boyle, Bunaman; Mick Ward, Keadue. These athletes specialised in the 100 yards and 220.
There were many notable performers in field events also. Best at eh high jump were: - Paddy McGee, Mullaghduff; James McGarvey, Belcruit; Neil McGonagle, Kincasslagh; Willie Lavelle, Gortnasate.
Long jump and hop, step specialists were:- Murray Boyle, Bunaman, whose great records have already been given; John McBride, Cruit; John Sweeney, Mullaghderg; Patrick Sweeney, Rannyhual; John Gallagher, Cruit; John Doherty, Belcruit; Eddie O Donnell, Cruit.
The Rosses was never without its quota of weight throwers. The great names of the past readily come to mind - Manus McCool of Lettercagh, Patrick Sharkey (Brian) Mullaghduff and many others - but it is doubtful if any of these could measure up to the standards of one of our later day weight throwers, John Gallagher of Cruit Island.
He first came into prominence in the middle forties and proved that he had no equal in the county at putting the 16lb. shot. He competed in the Ulster Senior Championships and won two titles in the shot and discus events. In 1949 at Dundalk, in the Irish Junior Championships, he was again victorious in putting the 16lb. shot.
Later that year while working in Scotland, he defeated George Clarke, the Scottish champion, on several occasions. His greatest effort was at the Thornton Games in 1949 when he set up a Scottish All Comers Record, putting the 16lb. shot 45 feet 10 inches.
In the years preceding John Gallagher's rise to fame, as a weight thrower, his brother Patrick had won many great victories throughout the county - also in the shot event.
Another to excel at putting the shot was Paddy McGee of Mullaghduff who had also many triumphs to his credit.
Both Gallagher and McGee consistently beat the 40 foot mark.
Present day athletes, who can compete with honour against the best in the county, are: - Eddie O'Donnell, Cruit (high and long jumps); Patrick Sweeney of Meenmore (long jump and hop, step); John Doherty of Belcruit (high and long jumps - also outstanding as a racing cyclist).
College students to shine in recent years were:- John Campbell of Dungloe, outstanding sprinter; Joe O Donnell of Meenmore, outstanding at sprints, long jump and hop step. Both were student of St Eunan's College, Letterkenny (1954-1958).
Sean O'Donnell, Belcruit, student of Franciscan College, Multyfarnham, College senior champion in mile, long jump and shot events; performed with distinction when representing his college in the Leinster Colleges Athletic Championships (Senior) in 1954. Brendan O'Donnell, Belcruit, also a student at the Franciscan College, junior champion in half mile and long jump events. (1954).
Of our present day athletes who have emigrated and who fare from their native hills are keeping up that proud athletic tradition, pride of place must go to Patrick Boyle. He is the son of Patrick Boyle of Gortnasate who, as has already been stated was an outstanding sprinter in the twenties, Patrick Boyle (junior), emigrated to Scotland when but a youth, joined the Strathtay Harriers Club Perth. He won many victories in cross country races, his greatest triumph being when he won the Scottish Senior 3 miles cross country championship. His brother Charles was also a member of the club and one of its leading runners.
The brothers emigrated to Canada in 1956 and joined an athletic club in Toronto. In October 1957 a 12 mile cross country race was held in New York and all the leading teams from the United States and Canada took part. The Toronto tam took the honours and Patrick Boyle scored his greatest triumph to date by being first man home. His brother Charles was also a member of the winning team.
Thus, just as we commenced the history of the great athletes of the past with the account of the glorious feats of the Boyle brothers of Bunaman so do we close the story of our present day athletes with the equally glorious record of the Boyle brothers of Gortnasate.
Part V
CYCLING
Years ago it was customary for the young men of the Rosses to cycle great distances to sports meetings all over the county to compete in track and field events. These long cycles' runs helped to mould these youths into expert racing cyclists. Very soon they came into prominence by winning many victories in cycle races, especially in the long distance events.
The first to win fame was Manus Sweeney of Mullaghderg, who crowned a record of great victories in 1922 by wining the mile cycling championship of Donegal. This title he held until he emigrated to America in 1924.
In the ensuing years a new galaxy of cycling stars were coming to the f ore. Most notable of these were Patrick Doherty, Belcruit; Jim Rogers, Meemmore; Ginger Walsh, Sheskinarone; Patrick Boyle, Keadue; Hugh Rogers, Rannafast; Dinny Boyle, Keadue; James McBride. Meendernasloe; Francie Gallagher, Mullaghduff and John Doherty, Belcruit. It wasn't at all unusual at this period for these young men to cycle fifty or more miles to sports at different venues throughout the county and fills the first three places in the cycling races. Though not entering for any official championship events, there is no doubt that these youths were amongst the best in the county.
It wasn't until the year 1942, however, that a Rosses' man proved that not alone could he match the best cyclists in the county but could compete with honour against the best racing cyclists in Ulster and indeed in Ireland.
Anthony McGinley was born in Annagry in 1924. In the year 1939, when only fifteen years of age, he competed in his first cycle race at Falcarragh and won second prize. His first victory was at Mullaghderg Banks in 1940 when only sixteen years of age. In that year he won twelve races out of fifteen in which he competed at different venues within the county. In 1941 he had a similar record - twelve firsts in fifteen races. In 1942, competing in 31 cycling events ranging in distance from 1 to 3 miles he had 29 victories and was second on the other two occasions.
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