The Steve Casey Memorial
Steve “Crusher” Casey, born in Sneem in 1908, was one of seven brothers renowned for athletic prowess. As children, they used to row the two miles from their home-place of Ballough up the river to Sneem to go to school. As young oarsmen, they won fame at regattas and Tug-of-War competitions all over South Kerry and West Cork. After emigrating to England, Steve and his brothers, Paddy, Mick and Tom became famous for wrestling, boxing and rowing. They were selected to represent Great Britain in the 1936 Olympics in rowing but, owing to their professional status in other sports, they were disqualified. Steve went on to become World Champion Wrestler in Boston in 1938 when he defeated Lou Thesz, the reigning World Champion. He returned to a hero’s welcome in Sneem on 16th August 1938. Meanwhile, Steve’s brother, Jim, was successfully pursuing a wrestling career in the West Coast of America and in 1944 he won The Canadian Championship. In later life, he trained NASA’s shuttle astronauts in Tug-of-war. The Casey brothers were called “the toughest family on earth”.
This memorial, sculpted by Alan Hall, was unveiled by the legendary Irish athlete, Ronnie Delany who won a gold medal in the mile at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Photo: Steve, Tom and Jim Casey with the Governor’s Cup, 1940
álaigh Memorial
The Steve Casey Memorial
Steve “Crusher” Casey, born in Sneem in 1908, was one of seven brothers renowned for athletic prowess. As children, they used to row the two miles from their home-place of Ballough up the river to Sneem to go to school. As young oarsmen, they won fame at regattas and Tug-of-War competitions all over South Kerry and West Cork. After emigrating to England, Steve and his brothers, Paddy, Mick and Tom became famous for wrestling, boxing and rowing. They were selected to represent Great Britain in the 1936 Olympics in rowing but, owing to their professional status in other sports, they were disqualified. Steve went on to become World Champion Wrestler in Boston in 1938 when he defeated Lou Thesz, the reigning World Champion. He returned to a hero’s welcome in Sneem on 16th August 1938. Meanwhile, Steve’s brother, Jim, was successfully pursuing a wrestling career in the West Coast of America and in 1944 he won The Canadian Championship. In later life, he trained NASA’s shuttle astronauts in Tug-of-war. The Casey brothers were called “the toughest family on earth”.
This memorial, sculpted by Alan Hall, was unveiled by the legendary Irish athlete, Ronnie Delany who won a gold medal in the mile at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Photo: Steve, Tom and Jim Casey with the Governor’s Cup, 1940
álaigh Memorial
Steve Casey, also known as “Crusher” Casey, was a legendary Irish athlete who excelled in multiple sports, particularly rowing and wrestling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey.
Here’s a breakdown of his impressive achievements:
- Rowing: Steve came from a strong sporting family. His father was a bare-knuckle boxer and his mother came from a line of champion athletes too. Steve rowed with his father and brothers, winning the All-England Rowing Championship in 1936 alongside his brothers Paddy, Tom, and Mick https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey. They were also a formidable Tug-o-War team, winning the Munster Championship in 1932.
- Wrestling: Steve transitioned into professional wrestling in 1936. He quickly rose through the ranks, defeating the Irish Canadian Heavyweight Champion Paul Duveen in his debut match https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey. His biggest win came in 1938 when he defeated the legendary Lou Thesz to claim the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship title.
Steve’s legacy extends beyond his championship titles. He was a celebrated figure in his hometown of Sneem, County Kerry, and is remembered as part of a remarkable sporting family. The “Caseys from Sneem” were even inducted into the Irish Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey.
Steve Casey, also known as “Crusher” Casey, was a legendary Irish athlete who excelled in multiple sports, particularly rowing and wrestling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey.
Here’s a breakdown of his impressive achievements:
- Rowing: Steve came from a strong sporting family. His father was a bare-knuckle boxer and his mother came from a line of champion athletes too. Steve rowed with his father and brothers, winning the All-England Rowing Championship in 1936 alongside his brothers Paddy, Tom, and Mick https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey. They were also a formidable Tug-o-War team, winning the Munster Championship in 1932.
- Wrestling: Steve transitioned into professional wrestling in 1936. He quickly rose through the ranks, defeating the Irish Canadian Heavyweight Champion Paul Duveen in his debut match https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey. His biggest win came in 1938 when he defeated the legendary Lou Thesz to claim the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship title.
Steve’s legacy extends beyond his championship titles. He was a celebrated figure in his hometown of Sneem, County Kerry, and is remembered as part of a remarkable sporting family. The “Caseys from Sneem” were even inducted into the Irish Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Casey.
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