Irish America

Irish America

Sports Archives

Lady Mary Peters: a champion of sport and community

By Ray Cavanaugh

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Consisting of high jump, hurdles, long jump, shot put and running, the women's pentathlon was likely the best all-around measure of female athleticism. It is not much of a logical leap to conclude that the winner of the Olympic women's pentathlon (which has since added two events to become a heptathlon) was the most physically able woman on the planet. Out of roughly 2 billion … [Read more...] about Lady Mary Peters: a champion of sport and community

Charles Riley: Jesse Owens’ ‘Irish Father’

By Chuck Leddy

March/April 1997

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The fascinating relationship between Coach Charles Riley and his pupil, the legendary, Jesse Owens, is an engrossing human interest story about a gentle, selfless, Irish American school teacher who became a second father to a disadvantaged Black adolescent. From completely different backgrounds, Owens and Riley grew to love and respect each other at a time of overt racial … [Read more...] about Charles Riley: Jesse Owens’ ‘Irish Father’

Katie Taylor Set for Epic Rematch

By Ed Solano
IA Newsletter, November 9, 2024

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Ireland’s Pride Katie Taylor Set for Epic Netflix Rematch With Amanda SerranoKatie Taylor and Amanda Serrano’s November 15 rematch on Netflix represents not just a second chance to determine a definitive victor but a historic moment for women’s boxing. Their first encounter in 2022 shattered records and traditions, and with this next bout, both fighters bring their legacy and … [Read more...] about Katie Taylor Set for Epic Rematch

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