58 The Title AMERICAN FOOTBALL The Irish Mail on Sunday December 17, 2017

By Mark Gallagher SNAP: ‘There are Gaelic N the summer days of his childhood, Patrick players who Murray nailed a lot of last-minute points to could make the win Ulster finals, usually against Cavan or transition’ Tyrone. This was when the young Murray would be transplanted back to Monaghan from New Jersey for a couple of months every year and he was kicking ball with his cousinsI in the shadow of St Tiernach’s Park, pretending to be his uncles Ciaran or Brendan, who won provincial medals in the 1980s. Murray might have never experienced what it was like to play in the cauldron of Clones on a sweltering midsummer’s afternoon, but he recently reprised his childhood role as a last- gasp matchwinner. He just did so in America’s most popular sport with the state of Florida watching on. With seven seconds remaining in Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ regular NFL season joust with the Miami Dolphins, the score was tied at 20-20 when he attempted a 35-metre field goal. It sailed through the posts. ‘That was amazing. The first time I kicked the winning field goal and to do it against the Dol- phins, yeah it was pretty special,’ he says. It gave the Bucs a rare win in a mediocre season, which was all the sweeter because it was against State rivals. However, last week’s disappoint- ing home defeat to the Detroit Lions extinguished any faint play-off hopes for Tampa Bay. When they meet the Atlanta Falcons tomorrow night — in a game live on Sky Sports — the Bucs, owned by the Glazer family which also owns Manchester United, will only be playing for pride. In a poor season for Tampa Bay, Murray has been the one bright light. He is now statistically the best kicker in their history, the last-sec- ond kick against Miami indictive of how he has played all year. ‘It has been going well. When the ball is going through the posts, things are always going well,’ Mur- ray says. He insists that he didn’t think of ‘I never bought into that. I the magnitude of the kick and just Patrick Murray credits deep roots in don’t believe in curses,’ Mur- went through his normal routine. ray states baldly. However, the ‘You do the same thing all the time. HARDYlocal press seizedBUCC upon his Irish I went through my same routine. It ethnicity as a curiosity and ran was the same for Dean Rock when Gaelic football for his rise to become with a story that the kicker had he lined up that winning free against been using a medium to ease Mayo in the All-Ireland final. He fears ahead of his return to went through the same thing he had the best kicker in Tampa NFL history Tampa Bay. Murray is keen to done a thousand times before, dismiss that story. because he knew it worked.’ ‘People were thinking that I It seems strange to listen to a steps back and two steps over. Murray’s uncle Ciaran has been knee injury. It was great to meet was talking to the dead and try- player immersed in the multi-mil- That’s how I kick.’ the physio to the Irish soccer team them both.’ ing to raise them when that story lion dollar industry of the NFL using Having emerged as a stellar kick- for the past two decades and when Murray was a free agent at the came out. It was nothing of the Dean Rock’s winning free in this ing talent in his college football Ireland played Mexico in the Metlife time and although he got some work type. I just did a bit of work with a year’s All-Ireland final as a parallel career with Fordham University, he Stadium this past June, he organ- with New Orleans Saints in pre-sea- sports psychologist. I thought I to his own kicking. But Murray is no was snapped up by Tampa Bay in ised a meeting with Martin O’Neill son, he remained so until early in needed to because I was coming ordinary NFL player. the 2014 draft. And he had an excel- and Roy Keane. the season when Nick Folk’s travails back from a serious knee injury. The Tampa Bay kicker may have lent rookie campaign, kicking over ‘Martin O’Neill is the biggest NFL as the Buccaneers’ kicker meant But I wasn’t talking to a medium or been brought up in New Jersey but 80 per cent of his field goals. Until fan I ever met in my life,’ Murray that he came back to his first NFL trying to raise people from the dead. this is a man who bleeds Monaghan disaster struck when he tore his says almost in disbelief. ‘He knew club. I honestly don’t know where that GAA and credits his kicking style cruciate — an injury so common in all of my stats from all of my games, And he claims that he came back a story came from.’ — which has made him the most GAA. and knew stats from basically every different player. ‘This is my fourth Of course, maybe they are just successful field-goal kicker in the ‘I had a great rookie year and then team. Honestly, I haven’t met a season now, as opposed to my first. looking for answers as to how Mur- club’s history with an 87 per cent tore my ACL. Came back, went to bigger NFL fan. He was I feel I am a stronger person, men- ray has settled seamlessly back into success rate — from his formative Cleveland Browns and tore my obsessive about it. When tally because of the injuries I had his role and turned out to be the years kicking Gaelic football. patellar tendon in the same knee. Tampa Bay re-signed me, to come through. And a stronger most accurate kicker in the fran- And even though his current con- From never having an injury before Martin was able to tell person emotionally too because chise’s history. The 26-year-old feels tract precludes him from playing in my career, I had two really bad Ciaran that it had hap- those injuries give you a differ- it all goes back to his Gaelic foot- with his Rockland GAA club, he knee injuries, one straight after pened before he found ent perspective.’ balling past. intends to return to his first love another. When you are lying on an out. Within the Bucs, there was Murray reckons that more Gaelic when he finishes in the NFL. operating table, preparing for a sec- ‘And Roy gave me talk of a curse afflicting footballers could make the transi- Before the Bucs’ practice every ond serious knee surgery, you find some good insights their kickers. Not only tion to American football. In the day, Murray can be seen kicking an out a lot about what kind of man and into coming back did Murray do his mid-1990s, there was a strong O’Neill’s ball around. ‘Just to loosen what kind of athlete you are.’ from a serious cruciate but Con- rumour that Atlanta Falcons tried to my leg up before practise,’ he nor Barth tore his coax Maurice Fitzgerald over as a explains. Achilles tendon, kicker while Offaly’s Tom Furlong ‘The way I kick a ball is the same another kicker, almost had an NFL career in the way I would have kicked a Gaelic Lawrence 1960s as a goal-kicker, only for a ball because that is how I was Martin O’Neill is Tynes, con- serious knee injury. brought up. The Gaelic ball is obvi- tracted MRSA A number of AFL players have ously a lot heavier. That has helped the biggest NFL fan I while Folk been brought over to the NFL now me create that strength, power and couldn’t kick and Murray believes the examples whip I brought into this game. When snow off a rope in of how Australians, such as Jordan it comes down to it, I used the exact ever met in my life... the first five Berry (punter for the Pittsburgh same routine I had when I stand games of this sea- Steelers) have made the transition, over a free in Gaelic Park, three he knew all my stats son. shows it can be done. December 17, 2017 The Irish Mail on Sunday v1 AMERICAN FOOTBALL The Title 59 Former UCI President Cookson was 83.3 Career field goal percentage by Murray – which aware of Froome’s salbutamol test puts him in the top 20 kickers in NFL history CYCLING By Matt Slater

BRIAN COOKSON was made aware of four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome’s adverse analytical finding in his final hours in office as head of SPOTLIGHT: cycling’s governing body. Froome had Froome is under scrutiny after a elevated test during his La Vuelta win in levels of September showed elevated salbutamol levels of the asthma drug in his system salbutamol, which could result in and (inset) an anti-doping rule violation and a Brian ban. Cookson Cookson, then the UCI president, lost his bid for re- ‘I cannot comment further on victory in La Vuelta, the Tour of election to France’s David this or any other ongoing case.’ Spain. Lappartient who won the vote on Cookson had said Froome’s The result is not automatically September 21. A former member adverse analytical finding was a classified as a positive test and of Team Sky’s supervisory board, matter for the independent CADF the 32-year-old has not been on Thursday he said he had ‘no (Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation) suspended, but he must provide a role or influence’ in how Froome’s and the Legal Anti-Doping Service satisfactory explanation. case, or that of any other rider, supervised by an external lawyer. News of Froome’s adverse test had been handled. His statement on Thursday came soon after the inconclusive Yesterday, however, he issued a added: ‘As UCI president, I investigation into the contents of further statement, which read: ‘I therefore had no role or influence the mystery medical package was informed that Chris Froome in any individual case. delivered to Bradley Wiggins at a had provided an A sample with an ‘I had then, and still have today, race in 2011, and revelations over anomalous result for a substance confidence in the integrity of all Wiggins’ use of therapeutic use that did not result in an immediate those involved, that they would exemptions before major races, provisional suspension the last 24 always follow the correct including his 2012 Tour de France hours of my tenure at UCI. procedures in every case, and win. ‘When I left the UCI the that no rider was treated in any Cookson defended Team Sky and following day, the matter passed way differently from any other.’ Wiggins after the UK Anti-Doping to the new president and, rightly, Froome had double the investigation ended without I was no longer informed about permitted level of salbutamol in a charges, saying their reputations the matter. urine test taking during his should be ‘reinstated’. McSharry finishes fifth in record MONA McSHARRY in on Fiona Doyle’s Irish capped an incredible year SWIMMING record, the only junior ‘I think there are a lot of Gaelic in the pool with a new and senior breaststroke footballers who could make the Irish record and fifth- record time of 1:05.01, record McSharry doesn’t transition. We have seen quite a few place finish in the 100m breaking her own record currently hold. HARDY BUCCplayers come from the AFL, as breaststroke at the of 1:05.27, in what was Also in action will be punters and defensive ends. There European Short Course her first final at senior Jordan Sloan and Conor are differences. You don’t get that Championships in international level. The Ferguson in the 50m much time to take the kick. You can Copenhagen. race was won by backstroke. Danielle Hill take all day to take a free in Gaelic An outstanding Lithuania’s Ruta (50m freestyle), Brendan if you want to, but there are defi- performance from the Meilutyte in 1:03.79. Hyland (200m butterfly) nitely players out there who could Sligo 17-year-old saw her McSharry returns to the and the men’s 4x50m make the transition.’ just two tenths of a pool today for the 200m medley relay team will With the Bucs out of contention RECORD: Sligo’s second away from the breaststroke heats where also swim in this for the Superbowl, Murray can plan Mona McSharry bronze medal in an Irish she’ll be looking to close morning’s heats. a trip back to Ireland next Febru- ary, which will mean catching a few Monaghan games in Division 1. WORLD OF SPORT He’s an optimistic member of the Farney Army and feels that Mona- GOLF: Justin Rose held SKIING: American Lindsey ghan have a big 2018 in them. a three-stroke lead after Vonn won the Super G at ‘We will be strong next year. We eight holes of the third Rose has a three Val d’Isere to claim her have the best striker of a ball in the round of the Indonesian first victory in a game in Conor McManus. He’s the Masters yesterday when stroke cushion race for nearly a year. best finisher around, especially play was suspended for The four-times overall when you consider the abuse he the day due to bad World Cup champion gets every time he goes out on a weather. before weather completed the course in pitch, two or three people hanging Rose was three-under one minute and 4.36 off him. on the day and led his suspends play seconds and showed no ‘Fintan Kelly really came to the playing partners signs of the back pain fore this year was unlucky not to Kiradech Aphibarnrat Friday on the 11th hole. the top 50 by the end of which troubled her in St get an All-Star and I think Jack and Scott Vincent. The Ranked 51st in the the year and ensure a Mortiz last week. It was McCarron will get stronger from Englishman (right) led world, he flew to Jakarta spot in next year’s the 78th World Cup race this summer. both players by a stroke looking to move inside Masters win of Vonn’s career but ‘He was the hottest player in the after the second round the first since the downhill country after last year’s National was completed in the SNOOKER: Cao Yupeng will play in his first ever at Garmisch in January. League and he just needs to learn morning due to weather ranking event final after a hard-fought 6-4 victory Meanwhile, Aksel Lund to cope with having two or delays on Friday. over Judd Trump at the Dafabet Scottish Open. Svindal dominated the three defenders on top of Brandt Snedeker Yupeng, who hit a stunning 147 on Tuesday opened 50th anniversary edition of him, which he will. withdrew with apparent the match with a great long-range pot and never the Saslong Classic ‘I think we’ll win Ulster heat exhaustion on really looked back. downhill, leading a 1-2 next year and make an finish ahead of Norwegian FARNEY impact in the Super 8s.’ teammate Kjetil Jansrud. FLYER: Patrick If they use as inspiration DARTS: Day three of the World Darts Championship saw two It was Svindal’s second Murray in his how one of their most ardent shocks as Benito van de Pas and Mervyn King were dumped out. straight downhill win after Bucs’ kit and supporters became one of the World No 14 Van de Pas was beaten 3-1 by Steve West (right), who a victory in Beaver Creek, (left) uncle NFL’s most accurate goal-kick- sealed the win with a 141 checkout. Zoran Lerchbacker beat King Colorado, and the 34th Ciaran, the ers, Monaghan might just surprise 3-2, while Robert Thornton beat Fermanagh’s Brendan Dolan 3-1. victory overall. FAI physio a few people next year. 58 The Title BOXING The Irish Mail on Sunday December 10, 2017 McCaskill is convinced that her hectic schedule will pay dividends in time

By Mark Gallagher

ARLY Monday morning in the Windy City. A blanket of Meet the investment fog hangs over Lake Michi- gan as the final revellers of this weekend stag- ger home. Nobody, however, notices the young woman with a Egym bag slung over her shoulder, weaving her way to the first train of a very long day. Jessica McCaskill has already been up for a while. Since getting banker and part-time confirmation of a world title shot, her alarm has been set for four every morning. But she usually wakes before that to prepare the home-made cocoa butter snacks that sustain her on a journey she believes will end with her taking ’s WBA belt in York Hall on Wednesday. model looking to add If any crumb of doubt enters her mind, all she does is stare at one of the posters in her Chicago apart- ment that proclaims: ‘Anything is ‘TAYLOR IS SEEN AS THE Katie’s crown to her BEST AROUND, I WANT TO FIGHT THE BEST possible if you have the courage to make it happen.’ Taylor has spent the past seven expanding portfolio weeks happily ensconced in a Con- necticut training camp. Her oppo- with three older brothers in a sin- where she first started boxing. promoter Eddie Hearn both hers but I have seen plenty of nent, on the other hand, is trying to gle-parent household in Southern She was a latecomer to the sweet described the difficulty in getting highlights and I have spotted a become world champion while also – a part of the state nick- science. ‘It was only in 2008 when I suitable opponents for Bray’s golden few mistakes that she has made. holding down a day job as an invest- named ‘Little Egypt’ – she was a tal- started boxing,’ she says. But she girl. But it is not so much about ment banker. Following the first of ented high school athlete, in had a gift for it. Within a couple of ‘Nobody asked us,’ McCaskill what I see in her. It is what I two daily stints in the gym, basketball and softball. After grad- years, she was the female Golden points out. So, she decided to have a see in her opponents. They McCaskill is at her desk by seven, uating from Southern Illinois Gloves champion of and little fun, enslisting the help of a have all been scared of her. crunching numbers in her role as a University, followed that up with another friend, who was a graphic designer The fight is over before it regulatory reporting specialist for she moved title in Illinois. to put Taylor’s image on milk car- even starts. RJ O’Brien in the heart of Chicago’s to St ‘I have definitely pro- tons as a missing person. ‘I won’t be frightened of financial district. Louis gressed fast. I have only ‘The missing person milk carton her. Katie won’t see any All this is grist to the mill for the been in the sport for less was my idea. Rick said I needed to fear in me. Just from trolls who like to dismiss the bona than 10 years and get in front of the camera more and what I watched, every- fides of women’s pro boxing. Imag- maybe only a couple of that I should make my own video one else seems terrified ine Vasyl Lomachenko or Guill- those as a professional. calling out Katie. I hadn’t seen any to engage her. They ermo Rigondeaux spending But it is my competi- response to our McCaskill-Taylor were scared to go on eight hours behind a computer tive nature that has campaign so it seemed to me that the front foot and just each day before their block- allowed me to she was missing in action and that’s showed up. I promise buster bout in Madison progress so fast.’ what spawned the milk carton that I will fight until Square Garden last night. Having moved to video.’ the last bell.’ McCaskill shrugs it off. Chicago from St These attention-grabbing cam- Having already made Her career and her box- Louis for work, paigns might give the wrong history by headlining ing feed off each other. She McCaskill that card at Chicago’s UIC feels she has found the per- strolled into Pavilion in July, McCaskill is fect balance between the two. It Ramos’ gym ‘I HAVE SEEN aware that this Wednesday, the means she must forsake the latest and her career first live television card headlined Netflix show that friends and col- accelerated A LOT OF by a women’s title bout, can be leagues are talking about, but at an even another shot in the arm for the sport that’s a small sacrifice. greater MISTAKES – Hearn and Sky are putting their ‘It is long hours, late nights pace. ‘Once money where their mouth is with and early mornings. But I have I came up THAT KATIE their promotion of Taylor. If you a pretty set schedule so I am here, I have a Sky Sports package, it will be able to flow from one to the found Rick HAS MADE’ hard to miss the bout on Wednesday next,’ she explains. It becomes and he just as it is going out on three channels more problematic, though, pushed me every impression of McCaskill. The toxic – Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Mix when she helps her coach Rick step of the way. He trash-talking that so often taints and Sky Sports Main Event. Ramos train young fighters in didn’t let me rest, kept set- is not her way. ‘I know this fight is making his- their gym. ting new goals for me, for She just wanted to get noticed. And tory as the first females headlining ‘That is when it is a little us to achieve. And it has it worked as she has been given the a show on Sky Sports. This is just more difficult because I need worked out pretty well.’ opportunity of a lifetime in York another time where women are to adjust my training for the ama- It was only during the sum- Hall. breaking barriers. And we will con- teur fights. Rick and I both coach mer that the 33-year-old ‘Katie is seen as the best around tinue to do so in this sport,’ McCaskill and corner the amateur fighters came to prominence in Ire- and I want to fight the best,’ says. out of our gym [Body Shot Boxing land after calling Taylor out. McCaskill explains. This is a risky ‘I am very conscious of the oppor- Club]. It’s not the end of the world, She had just become the first fight for Taylor to take as her first tunities to make history when it I just need to make minor adjust- female fighter to headline a defence. It is clear that McCaskill comes to the sport and lead the way. ments to my timing. I wouldn’t give boxing card in Chicago (or in can punch and she is evidently view- And after I take this opportunity, I up being there for my fighters, they the state of Illinois) and wasn’t ing this bout as her big chance. She will look for more ways to continue need someone to guide them and impressed with the noises claims she has seen some chinks in to build up the sport.’ Rick needs a helping hand. I want to coming from Taylor’s camp as the armour of the Wicklow native McCaskill, who somehow also fits support him the way he supports manager Brian Peters and and plans to go on the front foot part-time modelling into her hectic me.’ from the opening bell in Bethnal schedule, is conscious of the image There is a lot to admire in STRIKING A POSE : Jessica Green. projected by women’s boxing and McCaskill’s story. Raised McCaskill, as a boxer and model ‘I haven’t watched a full fight of does her best to control her own December 10, 2017 The Irish Mail on Sunday BOXING The Title 59 McCaskill is convinced that her hectic schedule will pay dividends in time Ireland chase series win in coach Bracewell’s farewell Meet the investment CRICKET By Ian Callender

THE Ireland players have a double incentive to beat PULL OUT: Afghanistan in Sharjah today Incoming in John Bracewell’s final Ireland game as coach. coach Not only would it allow the Graham Kiwi to sign off a largely Ford has banker and part-time unsuccessful reign on a high worked on but it would give Ireland a William perfectly-timed first series Porterfield’s victory over the Afghans, batting just 10 weeks out from the World Cup Qualifying batting collapse in the first ‘It’s been a great tournament, when Ireland game on Tuesday sets up opportunity for Graham and must beat two of West Indies, today’s decider and gave the specialist coaches to have Zimbabwe and Afghanistan Graham Ford, who takes over a good look at the players model looking to add to reach England 2019. tomorrow, an accurate going into the most important Bracewell may have won summation of the squad he is phase in the next year and a just 22 of his 61 completed taking over. half, the World Cup games at the helm but you But, with Bracewell’s Qualifiers. It’s essential they would be hard pushed to find permission, his South African get as much information as a player with a bad word to successor has already possible,’ said Bracewell. say about him and they have adopted a hands-on approach ‘It’s not about finishing with the extra motivation of and in the nets yesterday he a win, it’s about winning the impressing his successor who had a long one-on-one session series. After that, there’s has been observing with skipper William nothing I would love more Katie’s crown to her everything in the UAE for the Porterfield, concentrating on than be sitting back in New last three weeks. the pull shot which has Zealand and seeing them A superb comeback victory brought his downfall in his qualify for the World Cup. It on Thursday after a horror last three innings. would be just fantastic.’ expanding portfolio Rory plans major push in 2018 RORY McILROY has Diamond, who is expected to announced he will play at GOLF stay on the bag. least seven events in early McIlroy, 28, has slipped to 2018 in a busy build-up to the By Phil Casey 10th in the world rankings. US Masters, where he will He faces an important attempt to complete All of the events will be part season as he attempts to keep the grand slam of of his preparation for the pace with the likes of Jordan major titles in April. April 5-8 Masters at Augusta Spieth, Justin Thomas and McIlroy said on his National, an event he needs to Brooks Koepka, who all won website that he would win to complete the modern majors this year. start his campaign grand slam of all four majors. Meanwhile, India’s with two events in the Former world No.1 McIlroy Shubhanker Sharma shot a 65 Middle East in January (below) is currently having to claim a five-shot lead at the − the Abu Dhabi HSBC an extended break from Joburg Open to enter the Championship and competition after an injury- final round with an excellent Dubai Desert Classic. hampered 2017 during which chance of claiming a maiden The Irishman will then he did not win a pro title. switch his focus to the US tournament Sharma, 21, who where he will contest five anywhere in the carded a 61 on tournaments in six weeks, world for the first Friday, sank seven starting at Pebble Beach in time since 2008. birdies and has a February. The four-times total of 20 under His schedule includes no major winner also par, five shots mention of the WGC- sacked long-time ahead of second- Mexico Championship, which caddie JP Fitzgerald placed Swede falls in the middle of his busy and replaced him with Christofer stretch. close friend Harry Blomstrand. WORLD OF SPORT

ROWING: Bradley Wiggins Maguire left to rue failed comeback finished in 21st place on his competitive rowing debut at the British Indoor as O’Sullivan scrapes through to final Championships in London. SNOOKER: Stephen fight but I’d lost it in Wiggins, who retired from brand, with her own website and INVESTING count on some support, as her firm Maguire admitted the first four frames. cycling in December 2016, line of clothing based on the TIME: has London offices and they he ‘left it too late’ to I was always began slowly after CasKILLA nickname dreamt up by Jessica snapped up tickets before it all rescue his Betway positive because I mistakenly believing he a former work colleague. ‘It was McCaskill fits sold out. UK Championship felt as if I was had false started as winner seen as a mix of McCaskill and training for a It means she won’t feel semi-final clash cueing okay and Adam Neill won in 5:48.2. Godzilla,’ she explains. title fight with completely on her own when she with Ronnie potting the balls. Like Taylor, McCaskill is well Katie Taylor boxes outside the United States for O’Sullivan. ‘Nobody likes to see CRICKET: Batsman Ben aware that she is carrying the (inset top) the first time. The Glaswegian knocked out 6-4 by somebody coming Duckett, 23, was dropped flame for the sport and she can around Not that is likely to bother her. went into the the five-time world back at them and I from an England tour actively encourage other females her job as an It’s the chance she has been interval 4-0 down to champion. really fancied the match in Australia to come into boxing. She insists: investment waiting for, the reason she’s in the the game’s greatest Deflated Maguire job at the end.’ yesterday after reportedly ‘Even in the 10 years that I have banker gym every morning before frontrunner at (above) reflected: ‘I O’Sullivan admitted: pouring a drink over fast been in the sport, I have seen a Chicago wakes up. And she York’s Barbican just didn’t settle ‘I feel fortunate to bowler James Anderson in much greater female presence in believes that when she rejoins the yesterday. until 4-0 down at be in the final. I’ve a Perth bar. It’s the latest boxing and in gyms.’ Windy City’s early morning rush at He fought back the interval and I not played well all controversy in an There will be a predominantly some point next week, she will do valiantly before left it too late. week. I’ve been increasingly troubled Irish crowd at the London venue so as the lightweight champion of eventually being ‘I put up a bit of a scraping through.’ Ashes tour for England. on Wednesday. But McCaskill can the world. 70 WINTEROLYMPICS The Irish Mail on Sunday February 4, 2018 Irish participation in the Winter Olympics wasn’t a talking point until sixnovice bobsleighers forced the issue in 1992

ERRY Macken is looking forward to catching some By Mark of the event at the forthcoming Winter Gallagher Olympics. It will give him a chance to tell his children that he was once one of those ath- ‘We were competitive. We wanted to letesG hurtling down an ice-track at be the top B nation, of the smaller break-neck speed. Even with the nations who had only joined bob- photos to prove it, they still find it sleigh,’ Macken says. hard to believe. The Irish team did enough to qual- In Ireland’s Olympic history, ify for the Winter Olympics in Cal- Macken is one of the six pioneers gary. The Irish tricolour was among who ventured into the great the flags of all the competing unknown in the French Alps back in nations. But Ireland didn’t send any 1992. Along with Pat McDonagh, athletes. Ten days before the open- Terry McHugh, the late Malachy ing ceremony, the Olympic Council Sheridan, Garry Power and John of Ireland sent a letter to the bob- Farrelly, Macken was part of the sleigh team, saying they wouldn’t two Irish bobsleigh teams that com- be going to Calgary. Despite Treacy peted at the Albertville Olympics. and the team going to the High The story of how Macken – and Court to seek an injunction, no rea- McDonagh – got involved goes back son was ever given. to the Henley Regatta of 1986. The As the world fell in love with the pair were renowned international charismatic Jamacians in 1988, the rowers and competed in the race – Irish bobsleigh team seethed at ‘we actually won it,’ Macken recalls. home. They vowed to make the next At the end, there was an envelope Olympics in France. Treacy cast his waiting for both of them from a net beyond rowing towards track & London-Irish businessman called field. Larry Treacy, wondering if they McHugh, the long-time Irish jave- would be interested in representing lin champion, decathlete Sheridan Ireland in bobsleigh. and discus thrower Power were all Treacy, whose parents hailed from convinced to join the efforts to Fermanagh and Kildare, had tried make the Games. WINTER READY: bobsleigh during a holiday in Swit- McHugh was part of the Irish heading for the 1992 zerland and was interested in set- team at the Summer Olympics in Games (from left) Seoul, as was McDonagh, who told Malachy Sheridan, Terry him about bobsleigh. ‘Pat was com- McHugh, John Farrelly, ‘IT WAS VERY peting in rowing. He asked did I Garry Power, Pat ever think about competing in bob- McDonagh and Gerry SCARY, A sleigh? Pat convinced me to give it Macken a go. There were trials in UCD a NUMBER OF few weeks later. I went along and finished top of the trials.’ GUYS WERE Within a few months, McHugh was at the European Championships KILLED’ in West . ‘It was in a place called Winterberg. It was pretty ting up an Irish federation with a surreal, especially coming from an view to qualifying for the 1988 athletics background where you Olympics in Calgary. In order to train for years, striving to get the compete, athletes needed a driving chance to compete at a major cham- licence, which was governed by the pionships. But with bobsleigh, if you International Bobsleigh Federation have the equipment, (FIBT). money and a small So, Macken and McDonagh had to bit of training, you go to school in Innsbruck, – can get there.’ site of the 1976 Winter Olympics. McHugh had Among those who were in the same delusions of ing from , where he has decent finishes. class was Prince Albert of Monaco, being com- lived for more than a decade, he Unfortunately, at the time that the who became a big supporter of the petitive at realises that it was a major uphill two bobsleigh teams embarked on Irish team’s efforts. At the end of the time. task. their journey to France, RTÉ were the first week, all the competitors More than ‘I was coaching a shot putter here in the midst of a strike. So it didn’t had a race and the Irish team came 25 years in Switzerland and he was asked to make as big an impact on the first, ahead of the US, New Zealand on, and join their national bobsleigh team. national psyche as it should. and Prince Albert. speak- He finished third in his first event. But Garry Power, who was the There was optimism in the Irish That opened my eyes to how much first reserve to the McHugh/ camp that they could do well. But it was equipment. It was like we McDonagh combination, remem- there was also a bit of fear and trep- were going to Mondello with an bers the utter madness of the Olym- idation. Crashes were common and ordinary Renault,’ McHugh pic village. stories of serious injuries and fatal says. ‘There were so many dif- accidents could be heard at the cir- ‘But both myself and Pat ferent nations. I remem- cuit. were coming from back- 32 ber rubbing shoulders ‘It was scary when you were at the grounds where we were Pat McDonagh with Herschel Walker, top of the tracks. There were a competitive in our cho- and Terry McHugh the NFL player, who was number of guys who were killed,’ sen sports of javelin finished 32nd in a part of the American Macken recalled. ‘I remember one and rowing. And we field of 45 sleds at bobsleigh team.’ race in , when the bobs from wanted to take that into the 1992 Winter The pair of McDonagh Japan and Yugoslavia crashed in bobsleigh. Obviously, we Olympics and McHugh finished the same spot and we were next up. couldn’t finish in the med- 32nd out of 45 sleds while The race just continued.’ als or anything but we wanted Macken and Sheridan finished Bankrolled by Treacy, Macken and to finish the top of the smaller in 36th. McHugh, who also repre- McDonagh joined the circuit in ’87, nations.’ sented Ireland in four summer where the Jamaican team – later Following the debacle of Eddie games, says there is a bit of differ- enshrined in folklore in the movie, ‘the Eagle’ Edwards at the 1988 ence between the two Olympics. Cool Runnings – were becoming Olympics, the International Olym- ‘The Summer Olympics are spec- celebrities. ‘We were competing pic Committee had to ensure that tacular. There are over 200 nations with them, but they were much any athletes who qualified were competing,’ McHugh days. ‘The more switched on. They had mer- able to compete. And with the con- Winter Olympics is great, but it was chandising and everything,’ Macken tinued financial support of Treacy like a bobsleigh world cup event remembers. PIONEERS: The and some donations from Pittsburgh with better food and more nations.’ The pair stored the bob in Island- Ireland bobsleigh Steelers owner [and later US ambas- Having broken down the barrier bridge and set about trying to qual- team that sador to Ireland] Dan Rooney, over in 1992, McHugh and McDonagh ify for the ’88 Olympics. They were competed in a couple of years, the Irish team were determined to build on it for recording solid times on the circuit. Albertville 1992 proved themselves with some the 1994 Olympics. They continued February 4, 2018 The Irish Mail on Sunday SPORT 71 Irish participation in the Winter Olympics wasn’t a talking point until sixnovice bobsleighers forced the issue in 1992 JERNIGAN CLEARED TO PLAY AS FAVRE FIRES UP EAGLES PHILADELPHIA EAGLES told his players. ‘These starting defensive tackle Tim opportunities, as you know, don’t Jernigan (below) returned to come around every year. Also, practice on Friday after missing make sure just to reflect on this two days last week due to illness. season, reflect on the journey The NFC champions had that got us here. But just play for everyone participate as they one another, have fun and enjoy continued preparations to it.’ face the New England Hall of Famer Brett Favre, Patriots in the Super Bowl who was backed up by tonight. Pederson in Green Bay, was Coach Doug Pederson scheduled to address the gave a lengthy speech after Eagles yesterday and the practice. team will hold a 30- ‘Play loose, have minute fun, enjoy the walkthrough at moment,’ the US Bank Pederson said he Stadium. WORLD OF SPORT

GOLF: Lee Westwood couldn’t emulate his Westwood on the second-round 62 but did enough to stay in contention at the wane as leaders Maybank Championship after shooting a 70 to trail edge three clear the leaders by three strokes. and defending 65s. Henson is a self- The Englishman champion Fabrizio proclaimed ‘Mr. (right) managed only Zanotti (75) trail the Sunday’ after three birdies in leaders by 11 shots. shooting 65 and 64 at comparison to his It was a day of low the Singapore Open mammoth 11 on scores, with six and Myanmar Open, Friday. Jorge golfers – including respectively, and will Campillo and Dylan Campillo - firing an be out for another low Frittelli are the joint eagle on the par-5 score. leaders after both first hole. Overnight leaders shot 66s for 15 under With 18 golfers Phachara overall at the separated by only Khongwatmai (70) European Tour event. three shots at the top, and Nino Bertasio ‘I had a few tough competition will be (70) are 13 under, holes, but I managed rife today. along with Prayad to make the putts so Khalin Joshi and Marksaeng (67), overall I played solid,’ Berry Henson trail Hideto Tanihara (68) Campillo said. the leaders by one and Ryo Ishikawa (63) Henrik Stenson (73) shot after matching and Marc Warren (69). Djokovic’s intervention TENNIS: Former world number one Novak Djokovic has had a ‘small medical intervention’ on his troublesome elbow and says he is now on a ‘good road to full recovery’. The 30-year-old Serbian (right) suffered a recurrence of his elbow problems in a fourth-round loss to 21-year-old South Korean Chung Hyeon at the Australian Open last month. He posted on Instagram: ‘There were many to improve on the circuit and booked different opinions, different diagnoses... It was not their ticket to Lillehammer with a FIVE FLY easy for me to choose what to do.’ bit of ease. However, two days before Christmas 1993, a letter OUT TO arrived from the OCI, informing SPORT IN BRIEF them that there would be no Irish SOUTH 66 68; Irish: 141 S Lowry (Irl) 70 71. Midleton 35 Sligo 18, Omagh 12 Seapoint competitors at the ’94 Olympics. It Cricket 0. felt like déjà vu. KOREA SECOND WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL Hockey Danske Bank Ulster Schools Cup Rd As Larry Treacy discovered a few — Harare, Ireland 207-5 (50 overs; I Joyce MEN’S INTERNATIONAL: (Spain) 4: Enniskillen RS 10 Ballymena A 28, 91no, R Delaney 68) beat Zimbabwe 195 Ireland 4 (Sothern, Caruth, Glassey, Bangor GS 12 Rainey 3, RS Dungannon 5 years earlier, officialdom weren’t Tess Arbez (47 overs; M Mupachikwa 51, Delaney McKee) USA 2 (Cicchi, Kaeppeler). Wallace HS 38, Campbell 41 Dal Riada 0, too taken by the winter Olympic Age: 19 3-33, A Kenealy 2-17) by 12 runs. WOMEN’S EY LEAGUE: Loreto 0 UCD Cambridge H 0 RS Armagh 45, Sullivan dream. ‘It took time for the sports Discipline: Alpine ski, U19 WORLD CUP FINAL  Australia 1; Trinity 0 Railway Union 2; Ards 2 Upper 20 Down HS 13, RBAI 17 Ballyclare 216, India 220-2 (M Kalra 101no). Monkstown 1; Cork Harlequins 4 Belfast HS 0, Coleraine GS 3 Methodist 38. administrators to see the value in giant slalom Harlequins 3; Pegasus 2 Pembroke 0. sending an Irish team,’ McHugh Born: France. She Gaelic Games Tennis reckons. represented Ireland at ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE Rugby Union World Group Round 1: Seamus O’Connor Div 1: Tyrone 1-11 Dublin 2-13; Mayo NATWEST SIX NATIONS Australia v Germany: T Puetz & JL There will be a team of five Irish the 2017 Alpine world Age: 20 2-9 Kerry 1-15. Stade de France: France 13 (T: Thomas, Struff (Ger) bt M Ebden & J Peers (Aus) athletes who will be walking behind Championships. Discipline: Snowboarding (halfpipe) Div 2: Cavan 3-17 Louth 0-13. P: Machenaud 2, C: Machenaud) Ireland 6-4 6-7 (1-7) 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-4. Germany ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE 15 (P: Sexton 4, DG: Sexton), HT: 3-9. lead 2-1. the Irish Tricolour at the opening Experience: She Born: America (his father is from Tyrone) Div 1A: Tipperary 1-20 Waterford 1-11. Cardiff: Wales 34 (T: G Davies, Japan v Italy: S Bolelli & F Fognini (Ita) ceremony this Friday. It is a long finished 29th at the Experience: Competed at the 2014 Winter Div 1B: Laois 0-17 Galway 2-18. Halfpenny 2, Evans; C: Halfpenny 4; P: bt B McLachlan & Y Uchiyama (Jpn) 7-5 way from the ground-breakers 26 Div 2A: London 1-14 Meath 1-24. Halfpenny 2) Scotland 7 (T: Horne, C: 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) 7-5. Italy lead 2-1. 2016 world junior Olympics, reaching the semi-final. Was 10th at Div 3A: Warwickshire 1-14 Longford 0-11. Russell) HT 14-0. Kazakhstan v Switzerland: T Khabi- years before, and the dream of a championships in the 2015 Slopestyle World Championships. All-Ireland club finals ‰ IFC: Michael NATWEST WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS bulin & A Nedovyesov (Kaz) bt M-A businessman called Larry Treacy. Sochi. Glavey’s 0-7 Moy 1-10. JFC: Multy- Toulouse: France L Ireland L. Huesler & L Margaroli (Swi) 6-4 6-4 3-6 farnham 3-9 Knocknagree 3-13. Friday: Wales 18 Scotland 17. 6-7 (5-7) 6-3. Kazakhstan lead 3-0. ‘We were always conscious of the ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE Spain v Britain: P Carreno-Busta & F fact that we were representing Ire- Golf Div 1A: Buccaneers 20 Terenure 24, Lopez (Spa) bt D Inglot & J Murray (Gbr) Patrick McMillan Thomas Westgard Brendan Newby 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4) Spain lead 2-1. EUROPEAN TOUR Maybank Ch’ship, Clontarf 19 UCD 8, Cork Con 41 Dublin land and we wanted to do the best Croatia v Canada: M Cilic & I Dodig Age: 25 Age: 21 Age: 21 Saujana G&CC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. University 6, Garryowen 24 Lansdowne that we could,’ says Macken. ‘And it Discipline: Alpine ski, Discipline: cross- Discipline: Freeski Third round leaders (Gbr & Irl unless 16, St Mary’s 26 Young Munster 38. (Cro) bt D Nestor & V Pospisil (Can) 2-6 will be the same for these athletes stated, par 72): 201 J Campillo (Spa) 69 Div 1B: Banbridge 15 Shannon 15, 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2. Croatia lead 2-1. super-G & downhill country Skiing (halfpipe) 66 66, D Frittelli (Rsa) 69 66 66; 202 K Dolphin 13 Old Wesley 13, Naas 24 France v Netherlands: PH Herbert & now representing Ireland. It is great Born: Letterkenny. Born: Norway (his Born: Cork. Currently Joshi (Ind) 67 70 65, B Henson (USA) 69 Ballynahinch 27, UCC 58 Ballymena 12, N Mahut (Fra) bt R Haase & JJ Rojer 68 65; 203 P Khongwatmai (Tha) 68 65 UL Bohemian 34 Old Belvedere 19. (Ned) 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2). that we are able to send a team like Currently living and mother is from lives and trains in Utah France lead 2-1. that to the games.’ 70, R Ishikawa (Jpn) 74 66 63, M Warren Div 2A: Blackrock 15 Queens 14, Cashel training in Austria Dunmore, Co Galway) Experience: Won the 68 66 69, P Marksaeng (Tha) 71 65 67, N 44 Corinthians 10, City of Armagh 18 Europe-Africa Group Rd 1: Denmark And each of those Irish athletes – Experience: Experience: USASA nationals two Bertasio (Ita) 68 65 70, H Tanihara (Jpn) Malone 34 Galwegians 27 Greystones v Ireland: F Nielsen (Den) bt S Carr (Irl) 71 64 68. Irish: 219 D Clarke 72 68 79. 17, Highfield 15 Nenagh Ormond 13. 6-3 7-6 (7-2); P Bothwell (Irl) bt S Hess- competing in sports as diverse as Represented Ireland Represented Ireland years in a row and Olesen (Den) 5-7 6-1 6-3. Match tied 1-1. cross-country skiing and half-pipe USPGA TOUR Waste Management Div 2B: Belfast H 22 Sundays Well 26, at the 2015 and 2017 at the 2017 FIS Nordic finished 25th at the Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale. 2nd rd City Of Derry 12 Navan 37, Dungannon Today’s sport snowboarding, owe something to Alpine World World Championships 2017 FIS World leaders (US unless stated, par 71): 132 B 5 MU Barnhall 10, Skerries 20 Old Macken and the other athletes who DeChambeau 66 66, R Fowler 66 66; Crescent 26, Wanderers 22 Rainey 31. RUGBY UNION — NatWest Six Nations Championships in Lahti Championship. 133 D Berger 68 65, C Reavie 68 65; 134 Div 2C: Bective 29 Tullamore 15, Bruff (3.0): Italy v England. Women’s Six made a piece of history in the C Kirk 66 68, S Stallings 69 65, C Hadley 10 Bangor 10, Malahide 15 Thomond 8, Nations (5.30): Italy v England. French Alps 26 years ago.