CONGRATULATIONS and celebrations marked the return home to the Meadow estate in Newry of Geoffrey McCracken, bearing a brace of gold medals from the World Transplant Games in Canada. Janet Coleman brought similar glory to High Street, home of popular musician Tony Coleman and his wife.

Apart from Geoffrey�s parents, who reside at Killeavy Road, most proud must have been dedicated coach, John O�Hanlon, Supervisor at Newry Swimming Pool. By coincidence, the champion�s father and uncle, Sean and Willie McCracken, are noted athletes, who trained at the adjoining track, officially opened by Olympic champion, Fatima Whitbread, but which no longer exists!

Ironically, the days of the Newry Swim Pool are numbered, as proposals for a major sports complex on an alternative site are under consideration. But no one can deny that the Clanrye Avenue project has saved lives, provided sport and recreation for adults, school children, the handicapped and senior citizens, as well as employment, ever since its official opening in 1971.

One of those who campaigned for this amenity, former Cllr Gerry Mulholland, referred to the many drownings which had taken place at the `Blue Motion� and other abandoned quarries at Ballinacraig, etc. Recalling that the pool had been �built on a rubbish dump,� he reported that �not one life was lost in such tragedies afterwards. And it also provided valuable employment.�

But former council chairman Pat McElroy stated that �while it saved lives, it was built in the late 60�s, had no advance ideas, and was far too small for the growing population of the frontier town. Whenever local councillors sought improvements, they were drowned out by those who demanded new swimming pools for Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Rathfriland and Crossmaglen.�

The official opening of the Newry baths by Tommy Markey, chairman of the council�s swimming committee in 1971, was a muted affair, attended by only four councillors. The original staff were Pat Hillen, Wilbur Lundy, Paddy McAteer, Philip Macken and Kathleen Hughes, later supplemented by John O�Hanlon, Rowan Hand, Billy Tomelty, Seanie O�Hanlon, Anne McAleavey, Mrs McCormack. Eddie O�Hagan and his sons `Cookie` and Brendan, now a supervisor.

Newry�s world champion swimmer comes from a sporting background. His father, Sean McCracken is not only a well-known athlete, but has also been player and coach with Newry Town. And he was in the Newry Mitchels squad, which won the Down Senior Championship in 1964.

His brother, Willie, has won more marathons than any other Newry athlete, including the Ulster Marathon three times; and also competed in New York. He has represented Ireland at the World Seniors Championship, winning gold and silver medals; and is a prolific fund-raiser for charities, including Gateway, Newry Hospice and the Lourdes Invalid Fund.

The McCracken family came from Sheeptown and settled in Sandy Street, where the father was a taxi-driver. They were among the early residents at the Meadow estate.

Sean joined the Newry Shamrocks Athletic Club, which contained Gerry McAnuff, Tommy Coleman, Poppy Lennon and John McMillan from the Orior Road.

While playing for Mitchels, Sean was also turning out for soccer sides like Bessbrook�s Green Road, West Ham and Ballybot, managed by his uncle `Biff` Grimes. Suspended by the GAA, he played under a false name for Camlough Shane O�Neills, was reinstated and played for Newry Shamrocks II. Then he joined the Newry Town squad, with Teddy Harte as manager, later becoming coach.

Long-time employee of a transport company, Sean sharply criticised the fact that the running track beside Jennings Park, opened by the Olympic champion, had been taken over for football. Meanwhile, Willie was a compositor with Magowan�s printing firm in Margaret Square, later caretaker at the Newry Institute. He played for Alpine, managed by Hugh Heaney, and McLaughlins under `Mousey` Fitzpatrick.

But it was not just sportsmen who came from the `Meadow.` Music and song also had their adherents, such as Aidan Finnerty, Paddy Rafferty, Jim Gorman, Alma Brown and Sean (Jackie) O�Driscoll. Aidan was not just a leading member of the Newry Musical Society, but also singer with dance-bands. And he was a prominent member of the John Mitchel Branch, Irish National Foresters, being elected Chief Ranger, and also as a Trustee.

Playing principal roles, especially in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Aidan performed along with Mick Mathers, Ken Kenny, Terry Rafferty, Paddy Hanna, George McKee, Livy Armstrong, Ethel Fitzpatrick, Nuala Neary, Imelada Murray, Irene McCourt and Philomena Williams, under the direction of Tom Kelly.

Aidan also sang with the Sammy Jones Dance Band at the Castle Ballroom in Banbridge, one of the guest singers being Ruby Murray, who had five songs at No One in the Top Twenty charts. He often performed at various dinner dances, - one venue being the Portadown Institute. And that versatile virtuoso also sang in the Newry Cathedral choir.

Born in Kilmorey Street, Aidan�s brothers were Tom; Austin, who was shot down over Germany in the last war; Michael was a sea-captain, while John was manager of the Newry Labour Exchange. His sister, Ita, was married to the late Cllr Hugh Golding. After a spell with Paud McCourt, the hairdresser in Patrick Street: Aidan was employed with Eddie Curran the bookmaker, and later at Hugh McKenna�s off-licence in Monaghan Street, retiring due to ill-health.

Incidentally, Aidan�s wife, a nurse from Co Fermanagh, is a sister of the late Paddy Rafferty�s wife, - their homes are close together at Ballinlare Gardens. Paddy�s son, Eamonn, was employed with the Irish News, later becoming Chief Sub Editor of the Daily Telegraph, and producing the definitive book on the GAA. His sister, Carmel, has also been employed at the Belfast newspaper.

As meter-reader with the Newry Gasworks, Paddy was a welcome caller, since he always supplied a rebate, albeit in small coins. He later became secretary at the Kilmorey Street premises. An accomplished pianist, the burly and amiable musician played with various ceili bands, being a member of Comhaltas Ceoiltoiri Eireann, as well as the Newry Cathedral choir.

Meanwhile, testimony to the achievements of the late Cllr Tommy McGrath was given by the grandson of Tom Kelly, chairman of Newry Urban Council and of the Irish Labour Party�s Newry branch, on the official opening of the McGrath Centre at Margaret Square. Tom Kelly (junior), a leading businessman, has been involved with City Centre Management, and former president of Newry Credit Union.

He stated: �The real tribute to Tommy McGrath has been his wife, family circle and friends, as well as the joy he has brought to those who met him. Like his father, Tommy held to the maxim `one man could make a difference, and every man should try.`

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