Larry Oswald-Sealy

Ludlow Oswald-Sealy was captain of the successful Rathclaren Rovers team that dominated cycle polo at the start of the 20th century. He was also captain of them when they won the “Olympic title” in 1908 following a 3-1 win over Germany. He was joined in the team that day by his brothers Alfred and Hammy, and also Ralph Mecredy, the son of Richard Mecredy, the man who invented bicycle polo in 1891. Ludlow, better known as Larry, captained Ireland in the sport’s first ever international match, against England at Crystal Palace on 28th September 1901 when he also had the honour of scoring the first ever international goal in Ireland’s 10-5 win. Rathclaren remained the top Irish team until losing the Irish Championship to Ohne Hast in 1908

A keen golfer, and member of the Bray Golf Club, Oswald-Sealy twice played in the Irish Championship at Royal Dublin Golf Club at the turn of the century. He went to live in Australia in 1909, and died there in 1945. Born Ludlow Richard Oswald, he officially changed his name to Ludlow Richard Oswald-Sealy on 23 May 1895.