, 1889-10-16


tin Ireland this 1--we Of athletic sport is
even more preyalat The Gaelic association
alone is composed Of about 1900 clubs, which
are scattered through nearly every village
and parish in the country, 50 that from time
TO time from football and hurting, which is
the national game, the best men are brought
out Once a week there are local meetings
of these associations, usually under the direc-
ton OF the county committee, and contests
cnsuo for the championship Of the province
or district in which they are located After
wards these champion clubs play with each
other, and the winning club then becomes
the champion OF all Ireland.
8 general Is this devotion to outdoor ex-
ercise that every boy looks forward to the
time OF his development as an acknowledged
athlete, and when they reach 20 or % years
of age, the stout lads are an exception who
are not good for something In the field
There is a class OF these young men who take
a hand at everything. They sprint, jump,
throw weights, and in general are as tough a
lot of fellows as can be found anywhere. Yet
1 do not think one out OF a thousand prac-
tees with the view OF becoming a profess
sional; their whole object seems to be to
achieve the championship for their locality,
and IL there are sweethearts in the question,
that much additional animus is given to the
rivalry.
mo, they do not train there as much as in
this country or make SO much Of a business
of their pleasure. About the only thing they
do, in addition to a fair amount of exercise,
Is to observe a strong, wholesome diet and
abstain from Intoxicating liquors. Nor do
we have clubs on the other side organized
and managed like those OF America. A
champion there is thrown largely on his own
resources, especially in the matter OF paying
his own expenses. Having achieved success
at home, he starts On his travels with nothing
behind him but his ability to maintain what
he has won. Reaching a field of competitors
where he expects to take his chances, he pays
his entry fee and goes in to do his best and
carry off whatever honors may attach to his
new victory. 1t may appear strange that
there are Tower professionals on the other
side than here, but 1t is nevertheless true or
you would more frequently find the best of
them among your visitors As a rule, it is
not a business that pays as well in England
or Ireland as in America
In answer to the question what was regard
ed as the favorite sport there, Mr.. Mitchell
said there were two-hurling and football,
especially the former, because it required
great activity, more legs than muscle and an
abundance Of staying power, all OF which en-
tered into the full physical development of
the man.
1.-THE clubs consist of a president, vice
president and committee. The ages of the
members range from 10 to IS, and the club
grounds are not infrequently the gift Of some
gentleman owning a large estate who is him
self a patron Of the sport. Fair play is the
rule, perhaps even more so than in this coun-
try, for it is something insisted upon by all
concerned on both sides. l must say, how
ever, that during my stay in America l have
personally had no reason to regret a lack Of
courtesy from all true sportsmen, and in but
few instances have witnessed a breach Of that
faith which should be held inviolable."
: 1t should be said in closing this article that
the unbroken record Of Mr.. Mitchell gives
him 1872 1T. 0 in. in throwing the 16-pound
hammer and 80 It. / in. in throwing the Sc
pound weight. F. G.. DE FoNrAIEE.