ONE of the great joys of covering Ireland in the mid 90s – and there weren’t many in a non vintage period – was getting to know Gary Halpin, their larger than life prop who never failed to lift your spirits with wit and joie de vie.
Halpin, who died earlier this week aged just 55, was a multi-faceted character and one of his claims to fame was being an indoor hammer champion – I’m not making this up – and the last of the Irish Whales. Let me explain.
Seven of the first eight Olympic hammer champions were born in Ireland although they mostly represent...