Dublin, 13TH March – The eleven surviving members of the Irish team that competed 64 years ago in the London Olympic Games of 1948 were honored last weekend at a celebratory luncheon organised by the Olympic Council of Ireland.
Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, presented Olympic Medals of Honor to the survivors and said that Ireland had sent a team of 79 competitors to complete in 11 disciplines in London.
“Participating at the Games, the first time since 1932, gave Ireland an Olympic sporting lift that has grown and grown over successive Olympics”, he said “64 years later, almost to the day, a team of over 50 representing the cream of Ireland’s talent from North and South, will follow in the footsteps of those post war pioneers and will go for gold in the best Olympic tradition”
The luncheon, held in Farmleigh House, a Georgian House once the property of the Guinness family and nowadays a splendid venue for high level Government guests, was attended by six of the team, whilst the other five were represented by family members.
The eleven surviving team members are: Jimmy Reardon (athletics), Paddy Kavanagh (swimming), Cummin Clancy (athletics), Ernest Mc Cartney (swimming), Paddy Condon (swimming manager), Harry Boland (basketball), Dorothy “Tommy” Dermody (Fencing), Brendan O Kelly (football), Morgan McElligott (rowing), Denis Sugrue (rowing), Robin Tamplin (rowing).
Dorothy Dermody who was the only female athlete on the team is now aged 103.
The celebratory luncheon was attended by Minister Michael Ring, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Sonia O’Sullivan, Ireland’s Chef de Mission at the upcoming London Games, family and friends of the 1948 team and many sporting personalities.
