Thanks to Willie Smith for this tribute to Harry Thomas (6th Jan. 1935 – 10th Feb. 2018)

It was with sadness and regret that the death was announced of Harry Thomas at the age of 83 on the 10th February,2018. While Harry joined Donore Harriers in late 1961, it was with Inchicore AC as a 16 year old in early 1951 that he commenced his athletic career. He immediately showed his promise as a runner when finishing 3rd in the Co.Dublin NACA Youth’s c-c c’hips, within 2 months of joining Inchicore. Over the next 3 years he progressed up through the grades winning individual titles in cross-country at Co Dublin & Leinster in Youths, Novice, and Junior(inter) level. Inchicore won many of these team titles .

After the track season of 1953, he joined Clonliffe Harriers which was affiliated to the Amateur Athletic Union (A A U). Harry was always trying to improve, & at 18 years of age he would have had ambitions of attaining International level. As the AAU were the recognised body by the IAAF to run athletics in the 26 counties, by joining Clonliffe Harry saw this move as a means of achieving his ambition.

He immediately made an impact, finishing 4th in the AAU novice and 3rd in the Junior(Inter) c-c c’hips 53/54 c-c season. Over the next 4 years he gained many honours with Clonliffe, including a member of their winning teams in the 1955 AAU Junior(Inter) and Senior c-c c’hips.He was also a member of the Clonliffe team that finished 2nd behind Donore in the IAAB All-Ireland senior c-c, in 1957. He was also making his mark on the track , road relay races, and club c-c races.

He moved back to Inchicore in 1958, and over the following 4 years won many individual and team titles on the track and c-c at Dublin, Leinster , and All-Ireland level. 1958 & 1959 were golden years for Harry. He was 3rd in the 1958 Dublin c-c c’ship, but was successful in 1959. Also in 1958 he was 2 mile champion in the Dublin, Leinster, and All-Ireland c’ships, and was successful in the Leinster 880yds, 1500m and 3 miles c’ships. In 1959 he won the All-Ireland 880yds in Iveagh grounds. He was 3rd behind another stalwart (Harry Gorman) in the All-Ireland 10miles in Belfield. In 1961 on the grass track in Belfield, he ran one of his best races when finishing 2nd in the 2miles in 9mins 12.8secs, behind Kevin Gormley(9-09.2). Both were inside the NACA record.

In late 1961 Harry joined Donore Harriers, and once again made an immediate impression with his new club. In Jan ’62 he finished 6th in the IAAB All-Ireland Junior(Inter) c-c c’ship. With Mick Neville in 1st place, Donore with 6 to score were comfortable team winners. He followed this performance with 8th place in the AAU senior c-c, with Donore again team winners.He was a member of the Donore teams that made a clean sweep of the Spring road relays.

During the 1962 track season he helped Donore win the G. V. Ryan T & F team trophy for the first time, when finishing 3rd in the one mile. Also at this meeting he was a member(along with his former club-mate in Inchicore, Basil Clifford) of the Donore 4x880yds team that set an Irish club record 7mins46.6secs.

His highlights over the next 3 years with Donore were;
1963: 4 x 880yds 7-45.4, Irish club record.
IAAB All-Ireland 4x880yds Donore Gold.
IAAB = 4X One mile = Gold. Irish club record 17mins 20.8secs.

On all of the above 4 track relays Basil Clifford and Jim McNamara were teammates!

Harry was a member the Donore teams that won the 61mile 12-stage Lagan Valley road relay in 1963, ’64, & ’65. On each occasion Donore set course records, with him recording fast times on each of his stages. The above is a snapshot of Harry’s athletic career. Over 15 years he competed in a huge number of races over track, road and cross-country. He was a stylish runner who ran with distinction with Inchicore, Clonliffe, and Donore, and was a valued member of those clubs.

In Oct 2012, Donore celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Opening cross-country Run. As Harry was in that Opening run, he was delighted to be contacted, and enjoyed renewing old friendships at the Reunion. He took a keen interest in the club’s activities, especially the under age juveniles. He subsequently attended further reunions. Donore Harriers wish to extend our condolences to his wife, Terry, and children, Harry, Linda, Yvonne, Mark, and David.

We also thank Terry and David for access to Harry’s scrap book.