Category Archives: Donore Families

Donore Harriers Families – The Coard brothers.

Donore Families

The twins Douglas (Dougie), and Kenneth (Ken), were born between 1900-‘03, and their younger brother Eric, in 1905.

Douglas gained International c-c vests in 1925 and 1930, and then in 1938 when with Terenure. Ken gained his International vests in 1925 and 1926.

From 1923 Athletics in Ireland was administered by the NACA(I) on a 32- County basis. Junior c-c c’ships were the equivalent of today’s Intermediate.

Both Douglas and Ken had success in the NACA Junior and Senior c-c c’ships.

 NACA  All-Ireland Junior c-c results :

  • 1925: Douglas (2nd); Ken (9th).
  • 1926: Ken (1st).

NACA All-Ireland Senior c-c results :

  • 1925: Douglas (5th); Ken (9th).
  • 1926: Ken (2nd).
  • 1930: Douglas (3rd); Donore 2nd Club.

On the track, Douglas won the All-Ireland One Mile (1926) in the excellent time of 4-24.8. In 1927 (2nd); 1928 (2nd); 1st again in 1929;1930 (2nd); 1932 (2nd).

Ken was 2nd in the All-Ireland 4 miles in 1926.

In the first AAU c-c c’ship in 1938, Douglas was 5th, running for Terenure who won the team title. There are no results for Ken after 1926.

Eric ran at Novice level, but there are no results to hand at the moment.

During the 1920’s Donore had team successes in the Co Dublin Novice, Junior, and Senior c-c. While I do not have results it can be assumed that the Coard bros featured in these c’ship wins.

At Club level, Douglas won :

  • The Slater Cup, (1924);
  • Faugh-a-Ballagh Cup, (1925 and ‘28),
  • Inniskilling Cup (1927).

At Club level, Ken won :

  • The Faugh-a-Ballagh Cup (1926);
  • The Waterhouse-Byrne Shield ,(1925 &’26).

It is not known why Douglas transferred to Terenure on the formation of the AAU(E)in 1937. The Coards grew up in the Rathfarnham area and it may have been due to the close proximity of the new club.

In his later years Douglas – he was in his 101st year when he died – always came down to the old Club in Hospital Lane with his son Marshall for the annual Christmas Draw, when they donated a prize. Eric’s son Cecil was a top motor-bike scrambler in his day, and won a class competition 3 years ago at age 82 !

By Willie Smith, April 2020.