Anthony Byrne (6 July 1930 – 27 April 2013), commonly known as Tony Byrne or Socks Byrne, was an amateur
boxer Boxer most commonly refers to:
* Boxer (boxing), a competitor in the sport of boxing
*Boxer (dog), a breed of dog
Boxer or boxers may also refer to:
Animal kingdom
* Boxer crab
* Boxer shrimp, a small group of decapod crustaceans
* Boxer snipe ee ...
. Byrne won a bronze medal for
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
at the
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 22 November to 8 December 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, whi ...
in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, in the
lightweight
Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing.
Boxing
Professional boxing
The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing.
Notable lightweight boxe ...
division.
Early life and career
Byrne was born in
Drogheda
Drogheda ( , ; , meaning "bridge at the ford") is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, north of Dublin. It is located on the Dublin–Belfast corridor on the east coast of Ireland, mostly in County Louth ...
,
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
. Doubt had been cast over whether Byrne would have the funds to travel to Melbourne to participate in the 1956 Olympics. However, a fundraising campaign under the banner of "Send Byrne to Melbourne" was created, and it raised £653 from local businesses in Drogheda to send him on his quest for glory down under.
Melbourne Olympics
Byrne carried the flag for Ireland at the opening ceremony and was the captain of the Irish boxing team. He beat opponents from
Czechoslovakia
, rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי,
, common_name = Czechoslovakia
, life_span = 1918–19391945–1992
, p1 = Austria-Hungary
, image_p1 ...
and
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
before losing in the semifinal on a split decision to
Harry Kurschat
Harry Kurschat (3 November 1930 – 21 January 2022) was a German boxer who competed in the lightweight division during his career as an amateur for West Germany. He was born and died in Berlin
Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of ...
of
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
. A few months later, he showed what might have been when he beat the eventual Gold Medallist, Dick McTaggart, in an Ireland-England International at the Royal Albert Hall.
Olympic results
*1st round bye
*Defeated
Josef Chovanec
Josef Chovanec (born 1935) is a Czechoslovak boxer. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport even ...
(Czechoslovakia) points
*Defeated
Luis Molina (United States) points
*Lost to
Harry Kurschat
Harry Kurschat (3 November 1930 – 21 January 2022) was a German boxer who competed in the lightweight division during his career as an amateur for West Germany. He was born and died in Berlin
Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of ...
(United Team of Germany) points
Life after boxing
In 1962, Byrne, and his wife Honor, emigrated to Canada. The Byrne's settled in Canada and have a family of two girls and a set of twin boys. In 2006 a statue of Byrne was unveiled in his hometown.
He died on 27 April 2013, aged 82.
See also
*
Ireland at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Ireland competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia and Stockholm, Sweden ( equestrian events). Until 2012, it was the nation's most successful Olympic performance, with five medals, three bronze, a silver and a gold.
Medalists
...
*
Boxing at the 1956 Summer Olympics
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrne, Tony
Olympic boxers of Ireland
Olympic bronze medalists for Ireland
People from Drogheda
Irish emigrants to Canada
1930 births
Olympic medalists in boxing
Sportspeople from County Louth
2013 deaths
Irish male boxers
Medalists at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Boxers at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Lightweight boxers