Cummin Clancy

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Non-starter
SexMale
Full nameCummin Martin•Clancy
Used nameCummin•Clancy
Born9 November 1922 in Glann, Oughterard, Galway (IRL)
Died15 February 2013 in Garden City, New York (USA)
Measurements187 cm / 95 kg
AffiliationsDonore Harriers, Dublin (IRL)
NOC Ireland

Biography

From a small town in rural County Galway on the West coast of Ireland, Cummin Clancy was discovered as a discus thrower by former Irish discus champion Ned Tobin. After moving to Dublin and joining the Garda Síochána, the Irish Police Force, Clancy joined the Donore Harriers club and was soon to become Irish champion in the discus and break the national record. In 1948 he was again Irish champion and, two weeks before the Olympic Games, he added the British AAA championships to his roll of honour though he failed to make the final at the London Games.

During these Games he was approached by the legendary American track coach Jumbo Elliott and offered a scholarship at Villanova University. The following year Clancy followed the footsteps of fellow Irishman Jimmy Reardon and enrolled at Villanova continuing an association between the university and Ireland that was to encompass such great athletes as Ron Delany and Eamonn Coghlan. After graduating he remained in the USA working for General Motors but then founded an insurance brokerage company that developed into a multi-mullion dollar enterprise.

The Clancy clan has continued a sporting tradition as his son Sean played two seasons as a linebacker in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the St. Louis Cardinals after graduating from Amherst College whilst his grandson Duncan has played collegiate lacrosse for Rutgers University. Matthew Clancy, a star of Galway’s All-Ireland title winning Gaelic football team is a great-nephew.

Personal Best: DT – 49.35 (1951).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Athletics IRL Cummin Clancy
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) 22 r1/2
1952 Summer Olympics Athletics IRL Cummin Clancy
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) DNS