Home » Cycling in the Coalisland / Dungannon Area circa 1950’s Archive

Cycling in the Coalisland / Dungannon Area circa 1950’s Archive

Many thanks to Geard Scott and Seamus Devlin who supplied these photos and information – a lovely treasure trove of memories of cycling in the area – hopefully archived for the future of the club to see.

Seamus Devlin   – Island Wheeler Honorary President

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    Back in the 1950’s ‘cycling’ in Ireland was avery different world than it is today. Cyclists belonging to the ‘National Cycling Association’ – no matter how good or talented , were banned from all international competion.  Bitterness, resentment, determination and guts all combined together to make cycling in Ireland a hard place for hard men.  Out of this melting pot rose the ‘Rás Tailteann’. The Rás became the ‘World Championships/Olympic Games’ for Irish Cyclists of that era.

By the mid-1950s the Rás was an 8-day stage race of over 1000 miles. The 8 days were a relentless, no compromise,endurance event where a ‘never-say-die’ attitude earned respect. This produced cyclists like Mick Murphy, Ben McKenna and Shay O’Hanlon to name but a few. These were riders who simply put their heads down, made everyone suffer as much as they were prepared to suffer themselves and left the final outcome to those who were willing and able to endure the most. They were the hard men of the hard road, the ‘animals’ or as they became known ‘ the savage road men’.

In the 1958 Rás , Seamus Devlin and 3 other local men, Joe McIvor, Paddy Campbell and Tommy Drumm represented Tyrone amongst these ‘savage road men’. On the 4th stage, from Clonakilty to Tralee, Seamus broke away from the pack on the climb over Moll’s Gap and led the whole way into Tralee. This stage was 115 miles and Seamus’s average speed was 24 mph.

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     The photograph shows Seamus crossing the winning line in Tralee. This is the photograph that appeared in the newspaper the next morning; and in Seamus’s own words ” I didn’t have the price of the paper and had to borrow the money to buy it.”

The Island Wheelers are indeed priviliged to have one of the ‘savage road men’ as their Honorary President. Any Island Wheeler (especially with an interest in racing) should make a point of having a yarn with Seamus, to appreciate the importance of cycling with ‘integrity’ and a ‘never-say-die’ attitude.

Rás Team 1954, Paddy Campbell, Seamus Devlin, Joe Mc Ivor, Tommy Drumm and trainer Ned Devlin.
Glen corner, Stewartstown road 1950s
Race finish, front of Parochial Center Coalisland. Brian Monaghan is chased byTom Rodgers Harps CC
Donaghmore Circuit – Seamus Devlin(standing), Tony Devlin, Eddie Devlin, Tommy Drumm, Patsy Duffin, Jimmy Gillis.
Grass Track Racing Fianna Pitch Coalisland. Pat Quinn in front. 1950s
Grass Track Racing Fianna Pitch 1950s. Wee Pat Quinn in front chased by Paddy Mc Ivor and in 3rd Tom Rodgers Harps CC.
The Maguire Cup (possibly gone to America)
Maguire Cup Race – Seamus Devlin on bike; Ms Maguire sponsor of cup lady with fur, beside her is Maurice Burns (holding book) and behind her Hugh O Donnell.
1950s race, Donaghmore circuit.
1.Mickey Mooney, 2 .…..Gregg, 3.Cyclist from CuchulannCC Dundalk, Liam Laverty and starter PJ Logan.
Maguire Cup. Starter PJ Logan, Ms Maguire, Joe Mc Ivor, Seamus Devlin, Liam Laverty.
Glen corner Coalisland 1950s.
Outside Springisland Coalisland 1950s. The small cyclist wearing white top with black band is our own Honary President Hugo Loughran.Tall cyclist on left of picture is Tommy Drumm, beside him is Patsy Duffin
Starter PJ Logan, to his right is Seamus Mc Greevy Newry CC, Cyclist is Pat Rodgers Harps CC Cookstown, Stewart with armband is Seamus Mullan. In front of Parochial Center Coalisland.
Matt Sands Cup 1950s – Barrack street Coalisland. Matt Sands presents cup to Joe Mc Ivor. In the background directly behind cup is Seamus Devlin and to his left Brian Monaghan. WHO ARE ALL THE CHILDREN ?? Many of these children are now Coalisland’s Senior citizens; wouldn’t it be great if they could be identified ? Is the child with the glasses just in front of Matt Sand’s arm ( only see half face ) Robert ( Ra) Mc Gee ?
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