Thomas DOWNING

The Irish cross-country champion in 1907, Thomas Downing competed in the International Cross-Country Championship five times between 1904 and 1910 and was the first Irishman home, in fifth place, at Derby in 1909 when Ireland finished second in the team event behind England. The following year at Belfast, Downing again helped the Irish team to the runners-up spot to England. His unusually brief Olympic career ended when he was disqualified at the first water jump in the first heat of the 3,200 steeplechase in 1908.