Paddy Dwyer

One of the best amateur Irish welterweight boxers, Paddy Dwyer spent many years as a sergeant in the National Army and not only won Irish and Army titles for himself, but also coached and trained other soldiers to successful careers in the ring, including fellow Olympians Mossy Doyle and Myles McDonagh. A fine hurler and Gaelic footballer, Dwyer joined the British Army as a youngster and served with the 18th Royal Irish Regiment until it disbanded in 1922. He then joined the Irish National Army, and his first notable boxing success came when he won the novice’s welterweight championship of India in 1914. He went on to win many Army titles in Ireland, England, and across Europe. Dwyer went to the 1924 Paris Olympics as the Irish amateur welterweight champion, and after beating James Basham of Great Britain, the pre-Games favourite for gold, Dwyer became the new favourite for the title. Sadly, that chance ended in the second round of his semi-final bout when Argentina’s Héctor Méndez butted Dwyer, who was subsequently blinded with blood rolling down his face. Instead of being disqualified, the Argentinian was allowed to continue and went on to get the decision after Dwyer bravely fought on for the three rounds. Because of the injury, Dwyer was advised not to compete in the bronze-medal contest and he was classified fourth. A couple of weeks after the Olympics, Dwyer was beaten on points by New Zealander Charlie Purdy in the welterweight final at the Tailteann Games.

Dwyer later became the trainer of the Irish squad at many international competitions, including the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and 1938 Golden Gloves tournament in Chicago. Not surprising, Dwyer became a physical training instructor, to the Army Air Corps, and at his funeral he received a guard of honour from members of the Corps.