Major event to mark founding of the NACAI

Stephen Ball

A major event will take place in Armagh City on Saturday 5th November. A meal and function will be held to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the NACAI, National, Athletic & Cycling Association of Ireland.

Up to 1922 athletic and cycling were held under the auspices of the GAA, but in 1922 they formed their own independent association and existed until 1999, when the NACAI joined the new athletics body Athletics Ireland which was formerly known as Bord Luthchleas na hEireann (BLE).

The NACAI in its early years boasted two Olympic champions, when Pat O’Callaghan won the Hammer at both the 1928 & 1932 games and his teammate Bob Tisdall won the 400mts Hurdles in the 1932 games at Los Angeles.

Over the years the cycling side also made their own independent way and today are under the umbrella of Cycling Ireland.

So, on Saturday past members will travel from all over Ireland and many from abroad and some from as far as the USA. In Meath the NACAI was known to be one of the strongest counties in the association and its most noted athletes in the 70s, 80s and 90s were Mick Priest Fr Murphy, Colm Rennicks Bohermeen, Mattie McGrath St Catherine’s, Bohermeen & Dunboyne.

George Hutton (Dunboyne), Declan Byrne (South O’Hanlon), David Carey (Seneschalstown, Royal & SOH) and Gerard Heery (St Brigid's & Royal), who along with Pat Coyle from Bohermeen in the 1920s have all won the National Senior Cross Country title for Meath.

Mary Hanley from Na Fianna who died in 2021 remains one of the most successful Meath ladies ever in the NACAI having won National titles on road, cross country and track in her career. All the above named athletes also represented Ireland abroad in International events on many occasions.