[extracts from the Appletree Press title Legends of Irish Boxing published by Appletree Press]

Today, in his mid-seventies, John is a picture of health and as he talks it is with the enthusiasm of somebody who has lived life to the full. Apart from turning professional, John’s other regret in boxing terms is that he felt that he never got the recognition in Ireland that his feat in Helsinki deserved.
      “I feel some time like the invisible man of Irish boxing,” he explained. “I was the first to win a boxing medal at the Olympics for Ireland and sometimes it seems that it never happened. Recently, a wall mural was painted in Belfast in tribute to the champions who had come from the Immaculata club and I was not included. I am a man born and bred in that area and I represented that club so I feel again overlooked. I am not bitter for I have had a life that others can only dream of and my achievements will always be in the record books.”

Perhaps it is in keeping with the unassuming and polite nature of John that this is his philosophy. On the reasons why Belfast, and the Falls Road in particular, has over the years produced so many fighters of note, John is sure in his response.
      “In one word it’s poverty that has been the biggest factor in creating the conditions for boxing to flourish. There is no doubt that times were very hard back then and people had to adapt to survive and that is why so many became great fighters.” When asked about the most important advice he could ever give to a boxer, he recalled something that was said to him by an Egyptian fighter at the weigh-in for the 1952 Olympic Games. The Egyptian had been on the end of some insults from Iranian fighters in the queue, yet he refused to become involved in the petty insults. Instead he just remained quiet and ignored the abuse. McNally asked the Egyptian why he did not defend himself, and with a glance in McNally’s eyes, responded. “Irishman, I will do my talking in the ring and remember this always: when somebody has beaten you, take your hat off to them; when you beat somebody, take your hat off to them also – but make sure it fits your head when you put it back on.”

That gem of civility is something that has stuck with Gentleman John since 1952 – and you can tell!

Extracted from the Appletree Press title: Legends of Irish Boxing by Barry Flynn.
Also available from Appletree Press: John McNally - Boxing's Forgotten Hero by Barry Flynn