PASSION FOR SPORT EAMONN COGHLAN: Ian O'Riordantalks to an Irish athletics legend, who always had a wide-ranging interest in sport
ALTHOUGH I grew up following a multitude of sports, and still do, the one I’m passionate about now, which gives me the same rush of adrenalin as I used get from running, is motorcycle racing.
I’m an avid fan of the MotoGP circuit, but also just love riding my motorcycle, particularly out on the quiet, country roads. It’s such a buzz, and outside of athletics, that’s the sport I’m most into now, even if not in a true participation sense.
When I was growing up I’d travel to Skerries with my father to watch the motorcycle races held there. That was the start of it. After I got into running, however, and later got married, had kids, and so on, my interest in getting on a motorbike disappeared really. Mainly because I wasn’t allowed.
Then about four or so years ago I was at a fundraising event in Chicago, and met up there with some professional motorcycle trainers. That sparked my interest in getting back on the bike. It was around the time of the SSIA, and I had some money saved up. My wife Yvonne still wasn’t too keen, but then for Christmas that year, she ended up getting me the leather riding gear. That was my ticket to ride.
Soon afterwards I took professional lessons with those lads I’d met in Chicago, and bought my own bike around halfway through. A Suzuki, 1000cc. I try get out now most weekends, for a ride around the quiet country roads. Yvonne has even come along a few times on the back seat. I really enjoy the rush. It’s not about the speed. It’s about the mechanisms of the bike, the turning, the safety, the braking.
I’m a little old now to start racing. Plus, I value my life. But I’ve been down to Mondello a few times, and participated in the track training days. Again, it’s mostly educating myself in the use of the vehicle, but also to get a bit of the thrill of racing around the circuit. Next year I’m planning to get to one of the MotoGP events. I really admire the skill those professionals have. I just wouldn’t want to be out there competing against them.
Valentino Rossi is the rider I most admire. He’s now won nine world titles, with different bike manufacturers, after changing from Honda to Yamaha. They said that couldn’t be done. Nicky Hayden, the American, is another rider I admire.
The other sport I’ve followed closely my whole life is football. Brian Kerr and I grew up on the same road, right across the street from each other, and as kids growing up we spent our day in The Field, in Drimnagh, as we called it. We played all sports there. Soccer, rugby, hurling, basketball, and of course athletics.
Brian and I did everything together. We both joined Rialto football club, as under-11s. When we got to under-14, the training moved to Sunday mornings. That clashed with running training in the Phoenix Park, so I had a choice to make. The Rialto team wasn’t doing too well at the time, so I opted for athletics.
When we got to secondary school we went our separate ways, but I never lost that bond with Brian. As a kid I also looked up to the likes of Ian Hutchinson, who played with Chelsea. George Best too, but I’d still have a small love affair with Chelsea, and watch their matches whenever I can.
Naturally, living in America for 19 years, I developed an interest in their big three sports; football, baseball, and basketball. It was basketball, mostly, that I followed. When I was in college in Villanova they had a top-notch basketball team at the time, who would play downtown in Philadelphia. We’d go down there for all their home games. The same with the football team. Baseball, however, didn’t really do it for me.
Golf is another sport I’ve followed, especially after my son Eamonn started playing. He went on a golf scholarship to Mobile, Alabama, with a serious passion for golf. Out there he also developed an aptitude for teaching the game, and joined a golfing academy. He’s just about to finish his PGA exams and become a teaching pro. He still plays in the smaller pro tournaments around Alabama as well.
As a nipper I would always be going to Croke Park. My father, Bill, worked with the electrical company that were responsible for the sound system in Croke Park. So every Sunday we’d be up there, pulling the wires, and fixing the connections. Right through my teenage years I followed the Dubs very closely, and that football team of the 1970s became my heroes.
It’s just frustrating to think Dublin haven’t won an All-Ireland now since 1995. The last couple of years I think they peaked too early. This year, I felt they were getting it right. Then they drew Kerry. I think that psyched Kerry up – and psyched Dublin out.
Of course these days you can’t help but be very impressed by the Irish rugby team. The evolution of that sport here, during the professional era, has been incredible. The IRFU did a great job, and the way Declan Kidney has now inspired things, first of all with Munster, and now Ireland, has been phenomenal. With Brian O’Driscoll as well, the work ethic he has brought, you sense the future is in good hands.
