Larry McGuill | My Father Figure and Dear Friend.

  My first real memory of Larry it was at a cross- country race in Mount-pleasant in Dundalk I was running for Mount-pleasant club doing lots of road races and long distance races for the club team. I remember him smiling at me during the race and approaching me afterwards when I was exhausted from the long distance I had just finished. Larry was never afraid to approach an athlete to offer a better opportunity and that's what he offered to me." I will not ask you to run for the club or a team if you don't want to, he said just do what you do best jump hurdle and throw. He knew I was talented at that and recognised my needs, he praised me smiled his big warm smile that made me feel welcome to his family. He hugged me as a father does to his child and I was hooked. I ran to please the Big Man, for his words of praise and smile was worth its weight in gold to me. I turned to Larry not only to share my success but also in times of trouble, and I had plenty of that in my 30 years of competing. He never ever lost faith in you when you where injured or sick, never had one bad word or criticism for any athlete except to encourage me and them to train more and be the best they could be.
He would chat on the phone to me about the junior talent that is being wasted due to lack of encouragement and promotion from clubs in the newspapers, he would be ringing the radio stations and Louth newspapers to keep the latest star in the lime light to make them feel special as special as he made me feel every race. He was delighted to see me soar to greater heights within the club, county, province, country and then the World especially when our own country supports and ignores the home talents. He would say you have to leave Ireland to be appreciated by the Irish. I threatened to leave the club and athletics on a few occasions but Larry listened, supported but never forced his views on me but true to his word let me do as I wanted.
I am still running and winning thanks to the quietness, support, encouragement and love from the Big Man. I intend to portray his strength of spirit and constant fight in all my future endeavours.

You will be sadly missed by all who knew you, but there will always be an empty space in my heart, until we meet again.

---

A short presentation for the people who Larry made feel special. How Larry became A Legend.
Produced By Cole McCann @  http://www.starinovations.com