Frank O'Mara: John McDonnell shaped countless careers and changed so many lives

INSPIRING THE GENERATIONS: 1992 Olympic triple jump gold medal winner Mike Conley (left) with Frank O’Mara and John McDonnell, the legendary former University of Arkansas cross country and track and field coach. McDonnell, who hailed from Mayo, died this week.

In sport it’s very rare for a coach to survive all four phases needed to be deemed an all-time great: building, winning, dominating and — hardest of all — maintaining.

John McDonnell did that, and the outpouring of appreciation in the US when he died earlier this week spoke to just how much he packed into his 82 years. It’s my wish that those in Ireland know and understand just how much this Mayo man accomplished — the lives he impacted, the lessons he passed on.