Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 3).djvu/528

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CHAMPIONS.
531

cated at the French College and Dublin University (where he took his B.A. in 1886), no room is left for doubt as to the emerald character of his birth and upbringing. At school he showed quality, and in 1885 began sprint training, winning the 220 yards championship of Ireland. The 1886 Irish 220 yards, and the 1887 Irish 100 and 220 yards flat and 120 yards hurdle championships were his, and many other hurdle races in this latter year. Next year brought him the Irish 100 yards and long jump championships, and many other races.


Daniel Delany Bulger.
From a Photo. by Lafayette, Dublin.

He came to England for the first time in the August of 1888, and, among other things, defeated Mr. E. H. Pelling for the Stourbridge Challenge Cup. The year 1889 was signalised by Mr. Bulger's first appearance in an English championship; and, although defeated in the 100 yards, he won the long jump with 21 feet 9 inches. Next Saturday, at Crewe, he again defeated Mr. Pelling (champion) for the Northern Counties 100 yards Championship, this being without a doubt his best sprint performance. Irish championships and numerous other events fell to him in this year and 1890, and he crowned the latter season by beating the Irish record over 120 yards of hurdles by one-fifth of a second—some watches made it two-fifths. Last year hurdle racing chiefly occupied his attention. After a dead heat with Mr. Godfrey Shaw for the Northern Counties Championship he was beaten by that redoubtable performer in the run-off. Strictly attending to training he won the race which now gives him his title of Amateur Champion of England at 120 yards of hurdles, although, through the neglect of the authorities in not properly marking out each man's course, a misunderstanding arose which led to an order to run off again, when Mr. Bulger ran alone, the other two competitors declining to turn out. It was a most unfortunate affair, which no one regretted more than Mr. Bulger himself. Later in the same afternoon he tied with Mr. M. W. Ford for the long jump championship. The inter-club contest between the London Athletic Club and the Dublin University gave him an opportunity of distinguishing himself, which he did by winning the long jump with 22 feet 2 inches, his best jump. Mr. Bulger's reputation as an athlete rests largely on his extraordinary versatility, most men finding it impossible successfully to combine high and long jumping with sprinting and hurdle work. Mr. Bulger is by profession a stockbroker, being the junior partner in the firm of D. S. Bulger & Son, of Dublin.


Godfrey Shaw.


Godfrey Shaw.
From a Photo. by Mayall & Co., Brighton.

This gentleman has confined his attention to hurdle-racing, in which he is really a wonderful performer. He holds the world's record (amateur or professional) for a quarter-mile over ten 3 ft. 6 in. hurdles, his time (made first in New Zealand) being