West Cork’s ‘Forgotten USA Champion’ Runner to be Honoured with Plaque and Annual 5km Run

“He’s an example to our young people that Irish athletes from even the smallest towns and villages can take on and beat the world’s best,” says legendary sports commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

He defeated America’s finest athletes at New York’s Madison Square Garden and other venues in the USA, and now Timothy Jerome O’Mahony, aka ‘The Rosscarbery Steam Engine’, is receiving long overdue recognition – more than 110 years later – when a plaque in his honour will be unveiled at his birthplace in the small West Cork town of Rosscarbery on Saturday 1st October 2011.

The unveiling will take place at 3pm that day and will be conducted by guest of honour, legendary sports commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
The family-focused event will include music and Irish dancing in the town square and the First Annual Memorial Steam Engine 5km Run (3 miles), twice around the lagoon in Rosscarbery, after the plaque unveiling. Runners and walkers of all abilities who are over 16 years of age are welcome to take part and they can register on the day in the town square from 2pm for just €5. An added attraction will be that all participants in the run will receive a special commemorative medal, while the winners in the mens and ladies categories will receive cash prizes.