Doyle & McEachern: Clonliffe Olympians a century apart

Today will see the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The greatest sporting event in the world is about to take place (yes we know that the rugby sevens, bizarrely, are already at the semi-final stage!), there is huge excitement throughout the country. Santry and Clonliffe Harriers is giddy with excitement with a favourite Clonliffe son, Cathal Doyle, set to become the 23rd Clonliffe Harrier athlete to compete at the Olympic Games. The excitement at training last night was particularly notable as Harriers, young and let’s face it, not quite so young, discussed their travel plans for Paris.

2024 marks 100 years since Ireland first stepped onto the Olympic stage as an independent nation competing in the 1924 Olympic Games. Those 1924 Olympic Games, by the way, also took place in Paris.

Prior to those 1924 Games six Clonliffe Harriers had competed in Olympic Games for Great Britain. Clonliffe ‘s first Olympian was Joe Deakin who competed in the 1908 Games in London in both the 1500 and the 3 x 3 mile relay.

The first Clonliffe athlete to represent the independent state of Ireland was Norman McEachern in Paris all of 100 years ago.

Norman Mc Eachern was born in Edinburgh in 1899, he moved with his parents to Dublin living in Ballybough, close to East Wall on Dublin’s northside when he was a very young child. He joined Clonliffe Harriers at 16 years of age where he came under the wing of the legendary Tommy Burton (club captain from 1905 to 1946). In the 1920s McEachern came to national prominence winning the national title in 1921 over both the 440 yards and 880 yards. He went on to win the national 880 yards title again in 1924, 1926, 1927 and 1928.

Mc Eachern wins the Tailteann Games (Colourised photo courtesy of Rob Cross)

The 1924 Tailteann Games in Croke Park were basically the Olympic trials, featuring not only Irish athletes but from around the world and in particular the USA. As a result of winning the 880 yards he was selected for the Paris Olympic Games where in the 800 he finished 2nd in his heat making the semifinals where he placed in 5th position.

Norman McEachern’s Clonliffe Harriers teammates quite rightly took great pride in his achievements in competing for Ireland in those Paris Olympic Games.

Now 100 years later and back in Paris Clonliffe Harriers again take great pride in Cathal Doyle competing in the Olympic Games.

Cathal has been with Clonliffe since he was about 13 years of age or so, coming through the juvenile and  junior ranks,and as a senior competing for Clonliffe on the track, cross country and road. Cathal has won national cross country team titles and this track season achieved a remarkable three national 1500 titles in a row. Plus of course the small matter of, this night two weeks ago, becoming the first Clonliffe winner of the Morton mile in 25 years. He holds Clonliffe Harriers club records, all set this year, at 800, 1500 and mile and indeed indoor 1500.

Cathal Doyle will make his Olympic debut in the 1500 heats next Friday, August 2.