George was born in Stephen’s Place off Mount Street. He began his school days in Baggot Street and later went to Westland Row. I went to visit George to chat about his many sporting achievements. He showed me his vast collection of trophies, cups and medals which he won for football, golf, pitch and putt and hockey.

George and his school friend, well known boxer Jimmy Ingle, boxed in all-Ireland championships. They met in Westland Row School and they joined the Riverside club in Lombard Street at the same time. George has many fond memories of his fights with his pal.

He also fought many exhibition matches in Scotland where he worked during the war as a riveter and solderer. When George returned to Ireland, he worked in the Hammond Lane foundry for forty years before taking early retirement.

He told me when he was a young man, he joined the anti-Communist group, which was the hub of social life at the time. It was on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend, opposite the old school, also known as the stables.

It was run by another local man, Mr. Dolan. You could play pool there, and on Saturday nights, if you had 3d in your pocket, you could attend the weekly dance. They had a professional pianist and sometimes when he didn’t turn up, George would step in and play for the night. He was paid five shillings, a lot of money in those days.

On the way home, he would go to Ferrari’s and buy ten singles for himself and his pals. One night, George hit the right note, because it was there he met his wife, local girl Betty Duffy from Stella Gardens. After they married, George moved into the family home. They had two children, Marie, who lives in Australia, and George junior, who lives in Skerries.

These days, at the age of eighty eight, he keeps fit playing snooker in the CY (now the CMWS). George says he would love to see a pitch & putt green in Clanna Gael. That would be a dream come true.

George is pictured, centre, playing t in the Irish team against Scotland 1939–40.