Golden moment has silver lining

It had come to dawn on us unexpectedly. We were hopeful but afraid to hope too fervently. The balmy morning of Saturday, August 8th, 1992, in Barcelona had arrived and so had one of the most exciting days in Irish sporting history.

After earlier disappointments in several Olympic events, it was down to two affable and charismatic young men, one from Belfast and one from Dublin, as the boxing finals beckoned.

Neither contestant - Wayne McCullough at bantamweight nor Michael Carruth at welter - was regarded a favourite to win gold, but Belfast's McCullough was regarded as the better prospect. Ireland had never won an Olympic gold. Now two Cubans stood in the way of the ultimate prize.

The Pavalo Juventut stadium in downtown Barcelona was the Mecca for Irish supporters and they passed the early morning by treating the audience to verses of Molly Malone and Here We Go.

McCullough's bout was first up. Irish hearts plunged when a glancing right cross from his opponent, Joel Casamayor, damaged McCullough's left cheek, partly closing his eye. It would surely have stopped a lesser man. Not McCullough. He refused to retire but was narrowly beaten. The Irish supporters saluted McCullough with a standing ovation after the Cuban received his medal.

But they were not to be denied their golden moment. Within the hour Carruth was the focus of their attention, facing up to the awesomely-built Juan Hernandez.

The Irish corner-men throughout the tournament were Michael Carruth's vastly-experienced father, Austin, and the Cuban coach who has made his home in Ireland, the towering Nicholas Hernandez Cruz.

Carruth had been nothing if not confident when heading for Barcelona. He was the captain of the team and took his position seriously. When some horse-play in the Olympic Village prompted an official from the Olympic Council of Ireland to threaten disciplinary action, Carruth, a sergeant in the Army, stood by his men and faced down the official.

In the ring Carruth's tough mental attitude, his experience in the Army, and his determination to win a gold medal all came-together in a powerful blend. Carruth's half of the draw had included Germany's Andreas Otto. The two had met previously and Carruth was heavily beaten on an 18-1 score-line in the World Championships.

Carruth was not daunted by the challenge and vowed that he would level the score and did so in spectacular circumstances when he beat the German after a count-back on a score of 35-22.

He went on to beat Thailand's Arkon Changlai in the semi-final by 11-4 to set up the Saturday showdown with Hernandez. The tall Cuban with a long reach was a hot favourite. Carruth was short and stocky. The styles could scarcely have been more different. Hernandez tried to keep Carruth at bay with his long reach, but the Dubliner worked in close.

Carruth was leading 4-3 at the end of the first round, but a public warning for holding left the boxers level at 8-8 at the end of the second.

Carruth, sensing that history beckoned, took the initiative from the start of the final round and his whirlwind approach baffled and frustrated the Cuban. Carruth was adjudged to have won the round on a score of 5-2 and the bout 13-10.

Pandemonium ensued. Irish voices were hoarse by now, but the songs still sounded sweet. Carruth almost jumped out of the ring. His father Austin and his Cuban coach leapt in. A tricolour was draped around his shoulders as he went to the Irish supporters gathered in the tiered seats. He banged his gloved hands together in applause for his supporters.

An emotional rendering of the National Anthem followed and the celebrations went on into the following morning. A gold and silver thread had been woven together for Irish boxing on an unforgettable day.