No Earthly King (Irish Olympic Documentary - Setanta Ireland, Tues 11 Dec 10.30pm)

Skid

This documentary has been broadcast before, but I keep missing it. It might be worth a look for anyone who is interested in our Olympic heritage.

It looks at Irish Olympic success before Ireland competed as an Independent country.

“It explores the period of the first four Olympic games, where Irish athletes won 25 gold medals competing for other countries by necessity rather than choice.”
At the heart of the story is a Mayo man, Martin Sheridan from Bohola, who won five Olympic gold medals between 1904 and 1908. As well leading the world in discus and shot putt, Sheridan was also famed for a slight to the King of England when he claimed the American flag dipped to no earthly king.

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15711:mayo-film-maker-tells-sheridan-story&catid=14&Itemid=100008

This period of our Olympic History is often overlooked. If we had achieved independence 20 years earlier our Olympic medal haul would be significantly higher. It looks like an interesting programme.

Silvio.Dante

Sounds like right up my street.

Thanks for the info Skid...:)

Clareman

Thanks for that, timer set to record it

Skid

I notice this show is listed on the Sky listings as being a 'Freeview', so you should be able to watch it live even if you don't have a Setanta Subscription.

From past experience if you record it, and try to watch it later (and Setanta Ireland is normally blocked for you) it will probably be blocked, unfortunately.

It is also repeated at 10am on Wednesday 12th December and 10.15pm on Friday 21st December

http://www.locatetv.com/tv/no-earthly-king/7659033#21-Dec-2012

Edit: Setanta Ireland is always free (live or recorded) if you watch on Cable (UPC)

Silvio.Dante

I'll watch it live so myself...:)

Silvio.Dante

Loving it so far.

Those days in Celtic Park looked like great craic.

An added bonus for me is seeing Kevin McCarthy (bald guy with glasses) contributing. I work in the same organisaton as he does...:)

Silvio.Dante

Now thats some story about Athens in 1906. A great nugger of Irish history I never knew happened...

Skid

Some great stories in this, I really need to do more reading on our early Olympians

What about that Peter O'Connor - Legend! I would love to see this made into a Movie

O’Connor waited till the beginning of the medal ceremony when the British flag was being raised up the flagpole. He then proceeded, in front of the watching British and Greek royalty, to scale the pole, pull down the Union Jack, and replace it with and Irish flag. That green flag, with its embossed gold harp, stayed flying far longer than it should, as O’Connor’s two Irish team mates, helped by a crew of American athletes, stood guard around the poll, preventing the officials from reaching their man.

http://www.arthub.ie/blog/2012/08/27/setanta-sports-documentaries-more-than-just-a-game/

Skid

It's a real shame that Martin Sheridan is not better remembered. Nine Olympic Medals (including the 1906 Games) is a terrific haul by any standards.

There is a good website about him here http://wingedfist.org/Sheridan_peerless_athlete.html


One story about him, The opening round of the 1908 London Olympics Tug of War featured two Cousins from Bohola Co. Mayo on opposing teams.

Martin Sheridan was on the American team while Jim Clarke togged out for the Liverpool Police (representing Britain). It was a small World, back then.

Silvio.Dante

Great stories alright and makes me proud.

So many medals won.

It also makes me wonder why did the GAA turn their backs on Athletics to soley focus on football and hurling..?