Rinty Monaghan
Encyclopedia
John Joseph "Rinty" Monaghan (21 August 1918 - 3 March 1984) was a former world flyweight
boxing
champion from Belfast
. He became famous in the post-war period
, eventually rising to become undisputed world champion and a hero to many people in his home city.
was to attract an adoring following to the same venue.
In October 1947, the National Boxing Association world crown became his after outpointing the American, Dado Marino
at Harringay Stadium
for the vacant title. The mantle of undisputed champion of the world rested on his shoulders after his defeat of the tough Scottish
fighter Jackie Paterson
on 23 March 1948. Paterson was to prove one of the Belfast man's major adversaries.
By the time that a long-standing chest complaint forced his retirement as champion in 1950, Monaghan's trophy-cabinet contained the British, European, Commonwealth and World crowns. Of the 66 official bouts he fought during his illustrious career, he won 51, drew 6 and lost 9. Monaghan endeared himself to his supporters after his fights by singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling
to the King's Hall audience, which joined in the singing.
, Gracie Fields and George Formby, and later formed his own band.
His nickname "Rinty" came from his fondness for dogs. According to his daughter Martha, he brought
home injured dogs so often that his grandmother called him Rin Tin Tin
, after the film dog, and shortened it to Rinty.
Monaghan married Frances Thompson in 1938 and moved to nearby Sailortown. He had three daughters, Martha, Rosetta and Collette, and one son, Sean. In later life he had a variety of jobs but remained true to his working-class roots and stayed in Belfast. He died at his home in Little Corporation St in March 1984, at the relatively young age of 65.
To mark the influence of this "home-town hero", the Ulster History Circle and Belfast City Council provided a plaque in his honour at the King's Hall that was unveiled, in the presence of many of his family circle and friends, on May 3, 2007.
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
champion from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. He became famous in the post-war period
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, eventually rising to become undisputed world champion and a hero to many people in his home city.
Boxing career
Born in Lancaster St in the north of the city, Monaghan attended St Patrick's Christian Brothers' School in Donegall St. A noted fighter at boys' level, he entered the paid ranks in his mid-teens. After a short period of wartime service, Monaghan resumed his career and his burgeoning reputation drew huge crowds from all parts of his home city. In particular, bouts at Belfast's King's Hall were the highlight with that venue normally packed to the rafters. Almost forty years later, Barry McGuiganBarry McGuigan
Finbarr Patrick McGuigan MBE , known as Barry McGuigan and nicknamed The Clones Cyclone, is a former Irish and British professional boxer who became a world featherweight champion.-Background:...
was to attract an adoring following to the same venue.
In October 1947, the National Boxing Association world crown became his after outpointing the American, Dado Marino
Dado Marino
Dado Marino, was a flyweight boxer from Honolulu, Hawaii, who became World flyweight champion in 1950. He also boxed as a bantamweight, and unsuccessfully fought for the World bantamweight title.-Professional career:...
at Harringay Stadium
Harringay Stadium
Harringay Stadium was a major greyhound racing and speedway venue in Harringay, North London. It was built and opened in 1927 and closed in 1987.-Construction:...
for the vacant title. The mantle of undisputed champion of the world rested on his shoulders after his defeat of the tough Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
fighter Jackie Paterson
Jackie Paterson
Jackie Paterson was a Scottish boxer who was world flyweight boxing champion. He was also British champion at flyweight and bantamweight.-Early life:...
on 23 March 1948. Paterson was to prove one of the Belfast man's major adversaries.
By the time that a long-standing chest complaint forced his retirement as champion in 1950, Monaghan's trophy-cabinet contained the British, European, Commonwealth and World crowns. Of the 66 official bouts he fought during his illustrious career, he won 51, drew 6 and lost 9. Monaghan endeared himself to his supporters after his fights by singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" is a lighthearted song in tribute to Ireland. Its lyrics were written by Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr., set to music composed by Ernest Ball, for Olcott's production of The Isle O' Dreams, and Olcott sang the song in the show...
to the King's Hall audience, which joined in the singing.
Life outside boxing
A part-time cabaret artist, Monaghan toured western Europe during World War II with other notables of the period including Vera LynnVera Lynn
Dame Vera Lynn, DBE is an English singer-songwriter and actress whose musical recordings and performances were enormously popular during World War II. During the war she toured Egypt, India and Burma, giving outdoor concerts for the troops...
, Gracie Fields and George Formby, and later formed his own band.
His nickname "Rinty" came from his fondness for dogs. According to his daughter Martha, he brought
home injured dogs so often that his grandmother called him Rin Tin Tin
Rin Tin Tin
Rin Tin Tin was the name given to a dog adopted from a WWI battlefield that went on to star in twenty-three Hollywood films. The name was subsequently given to several related German Shepherd dogs featured in fictional stories on film, radio and television.-Origins:The first of the line Rin Tin...
, after the film dog, and shortened it to Rinty.
Monaghan married Frances Thompson in 1938 and moved to nearby Sailortown. He had three daughters, Martha, Rosetta and Collette, and one son, Sean. In later life he had a variety of jobs but remained true to his working-class roots and stayed in Belfast. He died at his home in Little Corporation St in March 1984, at the relatively young age of 65.
To mark the influence of this "home-town hero", the Ulster History Circle and Belfast City Council provided a plaque in his honour at the King's Hall that was unveiled, in the presence of many of his family circle and friends, on May 3, 2007.
Further reading
- Eamonn O'Hara, Rinty: the story of a champion (Belfast, 2008)