The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-22
IRELAND
HOME OF
FIGHTERS
Green Isle Produced Sir Dan
Donnelly, Maher, Demp-
sey and Others.

1t is often said that the Irish, who
are respected the world over for their
fighting spirit, have won the battles Of
every nation but their own. Be that as
it may, there is no denying that the
Irish love fighting and fighters-and
there is no denying that they produce
many fighters to love.
The first and greatest of Erin's fistic
heroes was Sir Dan Donnelly, who is
celebrated in song and story through
out Irish lore. There is many white
haired son Of Ireland today who will
troll out in rich, mellow brogue some
old come all We" that has kept the
deeds of Donnelly ever green.
Dan Donnelly was born in Dublin in
1888. He was a decker by trade and
the hard work gave him tprodigious
strength. He was six feet tall and
weighed about 1S5 pounds in condition.
Whips EngIishman.
Donnelly's first important fight was
with famous English boxer by the
name of Tom Hall. Donnelly Won in
fifteen rounds; and bonfires were built
in Dublin by his many admirers to
celebrate his victory, which, by the
way, was witnessed by over 10000
spectators. s4.
Donnelly's next battle was with
|1SO1 sc SOOPCIg lAlS llAOSI oNAOAbAAS AAeSAA
in England This contest, which gave
him his greatest fame, was fought on
the Curragh of Kildare, and was wit
messed by fully. rs, 900 people. The Irish
lad won in eleven rounds.
Next, he whipped Tom oliver in
England. 1t is said that over 100000
was bet on the result liz England and
Ireland After this success the prince
regent conferred upon him the honor
of knighthood for bravery.
Thousands at Funeral.
In the midst Of his greatest pros
perity, at the age of 80. Sir Dan sud
denly died. His funeral was one Of the
largest ever seen in Dublin. He was
buried in Bully's Acre, and his hearse
was drawn from the church to the
graveyard by hundreds of people, who
Embarrassed the horses and took their
places.
The first champion of America was
Yankee Sullivan, a true-born Irishman.
The deeds and doings of this remark
able man, who was in his prime be-
tween the years of 1S40-185O. would
fill book. Sullivan did not lead a par
ticularly exemplary life. and came to
a tragic end in California during those
wild days of the gold rush." He was
the best-the trickiest-fighter OF his
day.
The most dearly beloved of all the
Irish fighters was Peter Maher. In the
spring of 1891 Billy Madden brought
from Dublin fine, strapping fellow
a broth of a lad"--the Irish cham
pion"-Peter Maher! Maher was a
handsome fellow, good boxer, and the
possessor of a tremendous wallop. He
began winning at once and his pop
ularity among old Erin's sons knew mo
bounds. Among those to fall before his
heavy hand were George Godfrey,
Frank Craig, Frank Slavin. Joe Choyn-
ski, Steve O'Donnell (several times),
and Yank Kenny. He fought draws
with Jim Hall, Gus Rubin, Tom Shar-
key. and Joe McAuliffe.
Maher. had the better of Tom Shar-
key in bout in New York just twenty
years ago this month, and also had the
satisfaction of knowing that there was
1000 IN the house.
Moran Spoiled Coffey.
Jim Corey of Roscommon is the
modern Peter Maher. Coffey for a time
looked like the next champion and
rivaled old Peter in popularity. Frank
Moran crushed his hopes, and also the
hearts of many Irishmen, when he.
knocked him out on two occasions.
However, Shamus is slowly coming
back and seems to be as popular as
ever among his faithful followers.
Jack Dempsey, from County Kildare,
was much beloved Many an Irish eye
fills with tears at the sight of his pic
ture. Dempsey was the middlewetght
champion until knocked out by Bob
Fitzsimmons in 1891. He was one of
the greatest fighters of his weight that
ever graced the ring.
McAuIiffe Undefeated.
Jack McAuliffe is another. Jack
came from Cork, and was the light
weight champion after Dempsey re-
linquished it in 1885. Genial Jack held
the title until 1893, when he retired
Here are a few of the many Irish
born stars of the ring: Paddy Ryan,
Tipperary; Dave Sullivan, Cork; Spike
Sullivan, Knockmanoffe; Tom Shar-
key, Dundall1; Mike Donovan, Bantry;
George Gardner and Jimmy Gardner,
Lisdoonwarna: Ike Weir. Belfast;
Jimmy Dime, Tipperary: Dave Barry,
Cork; Willie Fitzgerald, Waterford;
Martin Candle, Glare.
Few Prominent at Present.
The only Irish-bor boys of any con-
sequence in the ring today are: Jim
Coffey, Bill Brennan, who is rivaling
Corey in popularity; Tommy Quill,
Jerry Murphy, Sapper O'Neill, and Tom
Mccormick, the welterweight cham
pion of England.
But the fighters of Irish descent are
legion.