IRISH NEWS

All Ireland Olympic Championship Results

from Leo Bowes

SEVERAL readers have expressed disappointment at my inability to supply a detailed word-picture of the All-Ireland "Olympic Three" lifting championships, held some time ago in Clonmel, County Tipperary.

The truth of the matter is that I did not even know they were being held. Bulletins from authoritative sources are as scarce these days as snowflakes in June, and so I was unable to receive intimation that the title tests were down for staging.

I have to thank a fellow journalist on the staff of the Cork Examiner for the results which follow. Before I append them, however, I should like to remark that after glancing through the results it seemed odd that such noted top-line iron tossers as Sammy Dalzell, Sean Norris and Paddy McMahon were missing from the list of champions. With a couple of others, these men have dominated Irish lifting for many years.

Lifting championship winners: bantamweight, 1. P. O'Shea (Dublin), 485lb.; 2. J. Cashin (Dublin), 485lb. O'Shea won on lighter bodyweight. Featherweight, 1. P. Ross (Belfast), 6201b.; 2. J. O'Brien (Dublin), 590lb. Lightweight, 1. T. Hayden (Dublin), 700lb.; 2. P. Phelan (Limerick), 640lb. Middleweight, 1. F. Rothwell (Clonmel), 7451b.; 2. G. Whitney (Belfast), 700lb. Light-heavyweight, 1. B. Dowling (Dublin), 7451b. ; 2. P. Desmond (Dublin), 7201b. Mid-heavyweight, 1. H. O'Callaghan (Clonmel), 8101b. Heavyweight, 1. D. Pattison (Belfast), 7451b.

The outstanding figure of the championships was undoubtedly mighty Hugh O'Callaghan, the Irish shot putt champion, and probably the greatest "Olympic Three" lifter yet produced in Ireland. Besides taking the mid-heavy crown and creating a new record total, O'Callaghan also made a new TH Clean and Jerk record of 3321b., and a new TH Snatch record of 250lb. He is son of Dr. Patrick O'Callaghan, the former world's champion hammer thrower who won two Olympic Games gold medals, at Amsterdam in 1928, and Los Angeles in 1932.

Another Clonmel lifter who gave a wonderful performance was Frank Rothwell, the new middleweight champion who

set up a splendid 745lb. total and smashed the Irish TH Clean and Jerk record by elevating 300lb. Rothwell is a lifter worth watching, and one who should do even better in the future.

It was grand to learn that popular Tommy Hayden, Ireland's longest-reigning champion, had again successfully defended his lightweight laurels. Tommy has been a lifter for some seventeen years, has won many titles, lifted in international contests. and represented Ireland in the Rome Olympic Games of 1960. Not many people know that Tommy beat the writer in a fourman lifting contest way back in 1947. His best total then was around 470lb.

Another old friend, Dave Pattison, took the heavyweight honours. Modest, unassuming, a fine sportsman, he is a credit to weightlifting and physical culture.

Jimmy Cashin, yet another of the writer's friends, who was runner-up in the bantamweights and lost the title only because of heavier bodyweight, is one of those rare fellows, expert in many aspects of physical culture. Lifter, bodybuilder, gymnast, coach, he runs Dublin's "Health and Strength" Club in conjunction with wellknown physical culturist, Jim Brady.

A pause to thank the many readers who sent Christmas cards, and congratulations on my return to the pages of Health and Strength. I would have liked to reply to each personally, but time and moneywould not allow it. Again, thanks.

I was pleased to hear that rugged Chris Sheedy had won the London Senior FreeStyle amateur wrestling light-heavyweight championship for 1964-65. A Clareman domiciled in England and a member of Boreham Wood Wrestling Club, Sheedy has won many honours as a matman, both in Great Britain and Ireland. In 1955, he won both his bouts in the annual ScotlandEngland-Ireland triangular at Glasgow, and again represented Ireland in the 1958 Triangular. The same year he won the London light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles, going on to take the 1958 Irish Close Light-heavyweight crown. His many other triumphs are too lengthy to list here.

A reminder I am always at your service if you want news, lifting and physique contests, shows, etc., reported. Address: 28 Fingal Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. For replies please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

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ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

John Hill of Oldham age 20 has been showing great promise since he was a junior. One of his best successes was third place in the final of the recent Mr. Del Sol contest at Manchester.

Photo Dennis Kellett.