Martin Sheridan : Mayo's Famous Son 1881-1918: A Forensic Account of an Irish NYPD officer's sporting success

Quick overview In the aftermath of the Great Famine and the Land War which had decimated the West of Ireland, employment and a way of life had to be sought in foreign lands. Martin Sheridan from Bohola, aged 16, emigrated to New York in 1897, and found work as a trolley-car driver. In 1906, he joined the New York Police Department and forged a career there that saw him rise up through the ranks. He also had something else going for him and that was his talent as a gifted athlete. Track and field events were Sheridan’s forte and he excelled in throwing the discus – both in the freestyle and Greek style. Over the course of 12 years, he had nine Olympic medals to his credit – five gold, three silver and a bronze. He won the All-round Championship of the World in track and field events in 1905, 1907 and again in 1909. He is credited with winning 12 national championships, and more than 30 American metropolitan and regional championships. Martin Sheridan was an avid nationalist and he never lost an opportunity to further this cause whenever he could.