For the National Senior Men’s 1500. Santry, Sunday, 28-07-2019.
A big thank you to Athletics Ireland for facilitating the award of the Basil Clifford Memorial Trophy to the winner of the Senior Men’s 1500m at the National Track & Field Championships.
A Sporting Biography of Basil Clifford by Willie Smith.
Basil Clifford (20-04-1938 – 14-11-1973), was Ireland’s 2nd sub-4min miler and ran in the 1500m in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
He joined Donore Harriers from Inchicore AC in 1958. He had shown his promise in 1956 when finishing 8th in the NACA All-Ireland Youths cross-country, and then in July 1958 he finished a close 2nd in the NACA senior 1500m.
He quickly made his mark with Donore in November when finishing 8th in the Clonliffe 2-Mile road race, won by Bertie Messitt in record time. In December he dead-heated with Mick Connolly over 4 miles in the Phoenix Park in 19mins44secs. The next day he was 6th in the Crusader’s 5 1/2 mile road race.
But it was on the track that Basil would really excel. From 1959 to 1965, he competed in five AAU 880yds c’ships, (winning in 1963, and 2nd’61/‘64; 3rd ‘60/‘62). He also competed in seven consecutive IAAB All-Ireland 880yds, with 1st in ‘63, five 2nd places, and one 3rd.
His main opponents in these c’ships were Derek McCleane and Noel Carroll.
He was a member of Donore Harriers winning relay teams over 4x880yds and 4x One Mile in the IAAB All-Ireland c’ships I 1963-‘64-‘65, setting Irish club records in both in 1963. We are delighted that two members from those teams, Paddy Tonge and Tony Murphy will be in attendance in Santry.
Including two G.V. Ryan 4×880 wins and 2nd in a 4x 440 (‘64), Basil ran in all eight relays.
During this time he was gaining international honours over one mile.
On the 9th August, 1961 in Santry he was a member of the Irish team – along with Noel Carroll, Derek McCleane, and Ron Delaney – that set a European record of 7mins 21.8secs in the 4 x 880yds only 2.4secs outside the world record.
In February 1962 the above team competed in five indoor meets in the USA over 4 x 880yds, finishing 1st in three meets and 2nd in two.
But 1964 was Basil’s highlight year. On the 3rd August in the White City he finished 3rd in the Emsley Carr Mile in 3mins 59.8secs, becoming Ireland’s second and Donore’s first sub-4min miler. Furthermore he was Ireland’s first home-based trained athlete to achieve this feat. On this performance he was selected to run in the 1500m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics later that year. He was accompanied by fellow Donore man Tom O’Riordan (5000m). Also on the team were Derek McCleane and Noel Carroll – both in the 800.
Basil showed his versatility in February ‘65 when finishing 13th over 9 miles in the IAAB All-Ireland cross-country, and 6th scorer on the winning Donore team. In January 1966 as Irish champions Donore finished 2nd team in the European club’s c-c in Arlon, Belgium. The team that day was Tom O’Riordan, Jim McNamara, Tony Murphy, and Basil.
During his time in Donore he competed in road-relay races, and cross-country, and represented Ireland on many occasions.
He married Deirdre in 1966 and emigrated to England. They had two children, Karen and Gavin. Basil was tragically killed in an accidental factory explosion in Birmingham on the 14th November, 1973. He was only 35.
The preceding details are just a snapshot of an outstanding athlete, club-man, and person.
We are delighted to welcome Jim and May Hudson along with their daughter Rose representing Basil’s family.
Willie Smith, on behalf of the President, committee and members of Donore Harriers.
Summary of Basil Clifford’s Championship Medals & Records:
AAU: Track: 1 x Gold; 3 x Silver; 2x Bronze.
AAU: C-C. : 1x Team Gold.
IAAB Track: 1 x Gold; 6 x Silver; 1x Bronze.
IAAB Track relays: 5 x Gold; 1 x Silver.
IAAB C-C : 1 x Silver ; 2 x Team Gold.
European Clubs C-C : 1966 , Team Silver.
Irish Club Records:
4x 880yds: 1962 (7:46.6), 1963 (7:45.4).
4 x 1 Mile: 1961 (17:20.8).
European Record:
4 x 880yds: 1961 (7:21.8).
