Kanturk-born Pat O’Callaghan won his first gold for Ireland at the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.
The medical doctor won the Irish hammer title at the 1927 Championships with a throw of 142’3” feet. In 1928, he retained that title with a throw of 162’6”, that win qualified him for the 1928 Amsterdam Games.
O’Callaghan improved his throw to 166’11” before the Olympics, throwing that distance in Athlone.
O’Callaghan qualified for the Olympic final from his group in third place with a throw of 155’9½’ and the possibility of a medal for Ireland in athletics became a real possibility.
The leader was Oissian Skoeld of Sweden with a throw of 168’3” with Edmond Black (USA) in second place.
For the second throw, O’Callaghan used Skoeld’s hammer, and threw 168’7”.
Skoeld couldn’t match it and O’Callaghan won Ireland’s first Olympic gold.
Written by: Tadhg Peavoy
Edited by: Tom Hunt
