Cormac Ó Cléirigh

Sprinter Cormac Ó Cléirigh, also known by the English variant of his name, Cormac Cery, attended the Synge Street Christian Brothers school in Dublin, which was well known for producing some top-class Irish sportsmen. Ó Cléirigh joined the Crusaders Athletic Club, who also produced some leading Irish athletes, including Ronnie Delany. Ó Cléirigh was one of three Crusaders men selected for Ireland at the 1948 London Olympics (along with Reggie Myles and Dan Coyle). Another member, Jack Gregory, represented Great Britain at the Games. Unfortunately, Ó Cléirigh never made the 4 x 400 relay team after failing a late fitness test. The team was disqualified from their heat after a poor first change over.

Ó Cléirigh made just one international appearance, in the 1947 Triangular match against Scotland and England/Wales at Edinburgh. The following year he won both the Amateur Athletic Union of Eire (AAUE) & Irish Amateur Athletic Board (IAAB), 440 yards titles. They were his only senior national titles. At Dublin in 1954, Ó Cléirigh was in the Crusaders relay squad that broke the Irish 4 x 440 yards record. In the quartet that day was Ireland’s 1956 Olympic hero Delany, and the Godden brothers, Philip and David.