Eamonn Kinsella was a finalist in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1954 European Athletics Championships in Berne – one of the finest results by an Irish track and field athlete in the 1950s.

He competed in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, finishing 4th in his heat and missing a semi-final place by just 0.01 of a second, a margin confirmed only by an examination of the photo-finish photograph.

From Dublin, Kinsella was one of a remarkable group of athletes developed by the visionary coach Jack Sweeney at St James’ CBS – a cohort that included future Olympic champion Ronnie Delany and high jumper Brendan O’Reilly. He began his athletics career at St James’s Gate AC before joining Donore Harriers.