Porter Holmes

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameEdward Porter Cowan•Holmes
Used namePorter•Holmes
Born25 April 1880 in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland (GBR)
Died24 April 1924 in Bangor, Northern Ireland (GBR)
AffiliationsCliftonville Hockey Club, Belfast (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Nationality Ireland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

In his day, Porter Holmes was regarded as one of the best hockey goalkeepers in the world. The son of a Justice of the Peace (JP), he played his club hockey at Three Rock Rovers in Dublin, and Cliftonville Hockey Club, Belfast. He made his Ireland début in the 9-1 thrashing of Wales at Dublin in 1901. He won 17 caps between then and the 1908 Olympics, where he kept goal in both of Ireland’s matches; the 3-1 win over Wales, and the 8-1 defeat by England in the final.

Holmes quit playing competitive hockey in 1911 and went to live in Canada, where he took up a business appointment. He got married there in 1912, but returned to Belfast in 1915. On the day before his 44th birthday in 1924, Holmes died at his father’s house in Bangor, having suffered from an ongoing heart condition.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1908 Summer Olympics Hockey GBR IRL Porter Holmes
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Ireland 2 Silver