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Foreword OIFIG AN TAOISIGH OFFICE OF THE TAOISEACH (PRIME MINISTER OF IRELAND) Message from Taoiseach Enda Kenny John McDonnell epitomises the Irish abroad at their very best. Having emigrated to the United States in the 1960s, he achieved extraordinary success both on and off the running track, winning numerous national honours, firstly as an athlete and later as a coach. The seeds of John McDonnell’s passion for athletics were planted in his beloved Co Mayo. He was an accomplished athlete in his youth, winning six Irish National Championships and gaining a coveted place on the Irish team for the Rome Olympics in 1960. Sadly, the financial state of the country prevented some of the Irish team from travelling to Italy and John missed out on a glorious opportunity to win Olympic honours . But he was not to be deterred and went on to win the mile event at the 1966 British Selection Games, also defeating the legendary Jim Ryan in a two-mile race in Louisiana, USA. After his emigration to the United States in the late 1960s John was quick to make his mark in the athletics arena, winning six All-American track and cross country honours . His success as a university coach has been nothing short of astonishing. During his 30-year tenure as head coach of the University of Arkansas athletics squad, a record 40 National Collegiate Athletics Association titles have been claimed. I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this book, which chronicles the life of one of Ireland‘s finest sons. The honours bestowed on John McDonnell to date have been many and include his induction as a member of the United States Track Coaches Hall of Fame. His legendary status in Arkansas is reflected in the fact that, in 1998, a multi-million dollar running track at the University of Arkansas was named in his honour. I am glad to say that he has also been recognised in his home country, having been inducted in the Western People Mayo Sports Stars Hall of Fame. Yeats warned us not to “wait to strike till the iron is hot but make it hot by striking” and John McDonnell‘s life has been one built on hard work, dedication and a desire to help others. He is a man who has shared his talents generously and who, in doing so, has made an immeasurably valuable contribution to his adopted country as well as a significant and lasting impression on the very fabric of history. Very best Wishes Yours sincerely Enda Kenny xiii ...

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