BoxRec

Thought I'd post this here too in case someone has some related info.

Thanks to historian/archivist Miles Templeton I've lately been able to flesh out the ring record of Airdrie Scotland's Dan McGoldrick who fought from about 1913 to 1928. We've added almost twenty bouts to his record.

I'm looking to find a photo of McGoldrick the heavyweight. He had a son Dan who boxed during the 1930s. I'm also trying to dig up physical details, like height and reach and average ring weight.

If anyone here enjoys haunting newspaper archives in UK libraries, I'd be interested to see what you could find in the Glasgow papers for Feb 16, 1914 and June 10, 1916. The only thing I know for sure is in 1928 he was a stone lighter, 4 inches shorter and 20 years older than Bobby Shields.

Cap

Dan McGoldrick was a capable fighter who also went to America, he fought and worked in Philadelpia if my informaion is right and even sparred with John L. Sullivan.

McGoldrick was a big influence to the noted fighters of "the Monklands" (Coatbridge & Airdrie) and he helped train and watched many of them...he was a big supporter of the fighting Rea's, most noted Albert Rea & Tony Rea (Bert Gilroy), McGoldrick tried to pursued Albert to go States side circa 1930 and then when Bert come along McGoldrick was all over them and wrote to his Philly connections. McGoldrick is mentioned in 2 different chapters in Gilroy was here!

Years later when Sugar Ray Robinson came to Britain, he actually visited Dan McGoldrick on request from a mutual friend in America, who must have been one of Dan's earlier day Boxing contacts. I can't tell you much about his fighting days, but I understand he was a rugged fighter.

Hope that helps some, I dare say McGoldrick must have also known the great Alex Lafferty from just outside Airdrie, Caldercruix I think it was.

Thank you very much, sir. When you say he sparred with John L. Sullivan though, I wonder if this was another fellow, as John L. was an old man when McGoldrick was an amateur in Scotland.

Still, I'll run down whatever leads I get. There must be a photo of him somewhere, perhaps in his hometown. I'm thinking he was not a large man as his son Dan fought at featherweight or bantamweight in the '30s.

Thanks again.

Slan!

Cap

Hi Dan McGoldrick was my grandfather and his father my great grand father. I dont know much about my g grandfather except he was scottish heavy weight champion and also fough the actor Victor McGlachlan ( the film with John Wayne The Quiet Man ). My grandfather sadly passed away in 2001 aged 87 and was a great man who loved his boxing.

Vincent

Vincent, do you have any photos of your great grandfather in his fighting kit? I've helped to flesh out his record on boxrec a bit. Would be interested in any info you have. For instance, how tall was he in his prime and what was his best fighting weight?

Cap

hello cap i will ask my mother as she has all photos of the family. be in touch soon

Vincent

Hello Vincent, it's exciting to speak to someone who's Grandad was also a key player during Boxing's greatest period 1920 through t0 mid-late 50s... do you have among your material anything re Bert Gilroy whom your grandad was a great advocate for? Pics, reports, letters any such things and better yet you old grandad & Bert together...

Dan McGoldrick was a 'noted' fighter in his own right and a key figure to many Monkland's fighters there after.

Cheers, Jim Glen.

Hi,
Dan Mc Goldrick, Scottish heavy weight champion was my grandfather.
He had many fights including billy wells, the terrible turk, victor mclaglen, Arthur pelky(canada). bandsman Rice. Also faught on the continent in France and Germany.

fiercepride

You and Vincent should meet up then, as he is Dan McGoldrick's Great Grandson.

Do either of you have a photo in boxing kit of the heavyweight McGoldrick?

Cap

Hi Cap,and other interested parties.

Dan Mc Goldrick was 12 stone 4 pounds five foot ten and a half when he originally won the Scottish title against Joe Smith of Blantyre.
Dan weighed in heavier later in his career. (See below)
The right cross was Dan’s number one punch
Dan’s Corner men and great friends were Pat McAllister and Alex Lafferty. These were without doubt, three of the best in Scotland. Alex had fought Digger Stanley over 20 rounds, and had knocked out Taney Lee. Then he went onto fight Ledoux, “the all conquering Frenchman”.
Dan’s manager was Charles Garvin, who toured France with him for a month. As far as I am aware, Georges Carpentier refereed one of the fights. (Dan was supposed to fight Carpentier at another date)
Dan McGoldrick was the second Scottish boxer to fight in France (fought Gaston Pigot).
The first Scottish boxer to fight there was George Mulvey (also of Airdrie)

Dan defeated amongst others
• Pat Breslin
• Private Kirk
• Stoker Smith of London
• Jim Robb
• Sandy Myles
• Myer Goodson
• Jim Robb
• Johnny Mathieson
• Harry Croxon of London in Newcastle.
• Harry Smith, South African champion
• Frank Moran
• Kid Williams (America)
• Paul Journee of France (who trained Primo Carnera)
• Otto Flint (German champion)
• Arthur Pelkie(The Canadian white hope) who killed Luther Mc Cartney in the ring
• Irish Frank Mc Guinness of Liverpool (who it was claimed was the leading heavyweight in Europe) in Barrow, England. After the fight, Dan grabbed the loudhailer and challenged Bandsman Rice (who had been in Mc Guinness’s corner) for £200 a side. Dan claimed Rice was the best in Britain at that time.
• Newspaper report after the fight: “The Scot is certainly one of the best of the British big men, weighing just under 6 feet high and at 13 stone 6; his symmetrical build afforded a refreshing change from the sheer bulk of his opponent.”



• Draw with Sibre Marie(the Terrible Turk)
• Drew with Tom Thomas of Wales.




Defeats
• Fought Billy Wells in Plymouth for £500 a side. Dan was defeated in 7 rounds in front of a 7000 crowd. Interest in the fight was good with the boxers gloves auctioned off for £10.
• Newspaper report “the fight attracted the biggest crowd ever seen at a boxing match in the west of England, in fact twice as much money was taken as when Jack Johnston met Ben Taylor in the same arena; this was not entirely due to the drawing powers of Billy Wells”.
• Harry Reeve at London opera house
• Bandsman Rice


Slan go foil

Many thanks for this info. Have you had a chance to peruse Dan's record in Boxrec? Miles Templeton and I have filled in quite a few blanks and corrected dates and the like.

Still hoping that between you and Vincent we'll come up with a photo.

Slan!

Cap

I’ve looked out some press cuttings from Dan Mc Goldrick (Airdrie, Scotland fights). It’s a shame that records for many of these fighters of yesteryear were not kept and they could be given their rightful respect amongst the annals of boxing. It is also incredible to reflect on the lifestyle that many boxers of that era endured whilst competing and the frequency (as well as the duration) of their contests.
Dan Mc Goldrick got into ‘the game’ as a young teenager when he was dared to climb through the ropes at ‘Billy Woods Travelling Boxer Show’ and take on (and defeat of course) the house heavy, a slugger called Pat Mc Donell. Dan went onto become Scottish champion and one of the best of his generation. He fought all over Britain, France and Germany which is testament to his pugilistic skills as not many fought abroad in those days. Whilst boxing however, Dan continued to work down the coal mines often up until the morning of a fight.
Dan’s son Frank had a similar lifestyle. Frank Mc Goldrick (left school at 13 to work down the coal mines of Lanarkshire with his father and had his first professional fight the same week he started work. (Aged 13) He boxed, often weekly, in the evening after a shift at the pit and retired from boxing at age 27. Unbelievable to think of the scores of fights men such as these had in their careers after a hard days labour. They really were a different breed [/b]

• In three visits to Paris, Dan stopped each of his opponents, yet only on one occasion was he awarded the verdict when he stopped Paul Jourme in the second with a right cross. The referee in Dan’s third fight in Paris asked Dan if he would fight in Germany, where he subsequently boxed a 15 round draw with the terrible Turk. Unfortunately Dan suffered a badly cut eyebrow and was forced to withdraw from his next German fight which was to be against an opponent who had beaten the famous French champion, Georges Carpentier who was later to fight the immortal Jack Dempsey for the heavy weight title.

• Dan Mc Goldrick, the famous Airdrie heavyweight scored a sensational victory in Middleborough last Saturday when he knocked out Ike Pratt in the first round. In a previous meeting, Pratt had won on points, but on Saturday, Dan made no mistake and a few seconds after shaking hands, reached the point of the chin. Pratt dropped for seven seconds and when he regained his feet was groggy. Mc Goldrick quickly followed up his advantage and giving him another stinging punch to the jaw sent Pratt down for the full count. There was great joy in Airdrie when Dan came back the winner.

• Dan Mc Goldrick, Airdrie, the Scottish heavyweight boxer has been adding to his laurel in the ‘Auld country’. In a comrades of war association tourney at Belfast on Monday, Dan beat his opponent, Sgt Bothwick of Canada in three rounds. The Canadian was floored twice in the third and was unable to continue.


• Townley wins again. Townley had the advantage in height and reach. Mc Goldrick retired on going to his corner at the end of the seventh round, but it was evident that Mc Goldrick was in anything but condition and this no doubt had much to do with his defeat.

• Followers of the game will welcome e the meeting as a change. All will be anxious to see the famous James Beckett in a real contest and against the best heavyweight at present before the Scottish boxing public. This is Dan Mc Goldrick, the well known Airdrie athlete. Dan is presently in fine form and his friends maintain he will give Beckett a much harder fight than is generally expected. The contest is scheduled for 20 x 3 minute rounds, and during that, if it goes the journey, Dan will be given ample opportunity to show his form.

• The first professional boxing will be held for many a long day will be held in the Victoria AC on Monday. The famous Joe Beckett meets Dan Mc Goldrick over 20 x 3 minute rounds. Beckett is a first class man, in fact he added to his list of victories this week when he won an important heavy weight competition in the National sporting club. Mc Goldrick is so well known here that really, little need be said of him. Dan has as much of a reputation in England as he has in Scotland. He has fought often across the border and met some of the best men here.

• Big bout ahead: can Dan Mc Goldrick beat Gunner Becket. Mc Goldrick is as game as a pebble and as hard as one. He has the pertinacity of the bulldog and his punch is like the kick of a mule.

• The long lithe Irish Canadian Frank Ray, who shattered the comeback intentions of Jack Palmer and Tom Lancaster, survived the most punishing contest of his career at St James hall Newcastle, last evening, when in a contest over 20 x 2 minute rounds, he opposed the Scottish heavyweight champion Dan Mc Goldrick. Mc Goldrick lost to Ray by stepping back rather than sideways and allowing himself to be cornered. This lost Dan the match as much as his failure to go in and finish it when he twice had Ray on the mat. Moreover, The Airdrie collier has had great trouble to train of late, so he could not have been in his best condition. Dan worked in the pits every day up till the one prior to the contest, and however his work may be beneficial to the country; it certainly is hardly likely to fit him for a boxing match.

• The biggest boxing tournament eve seen in Airdrie has been arranged and will be carried through in the Sir John Wilson Town hall on Fri. 4th prox. The principle event is special fifteen 3 minute round contest between Dan Mc Goldrick, heavy weight champion and Cyclone Warren of America. The latter, a boxer of colour is versatile giant who has never been extended since he arrived in Scotland.

• Airdrie contest: Cyclone Warren beaten. The principle item of fifteen threes, between Dan Mc Goldrick and Cyclone Warren the coloured American. Mc Goldrick carried more power and he rocked his burly opponent on many occasions. It was seen the contest could not last too long and Warren was lying helpless on the ropes when a towel came fluttering into the ring from his corner. Mc Goldrick won.


• Both of Mc Goldrick’s opponents were over 6 foot in height and towered above the Scotsman so much that Mr Hulls from ‘Sporting Life’ who was referee said they made Mc Goldrick look like a middleweight. Dan weights about – 11 stone 7 lbs and stands five foot 10 in height. So far Mc Goldrick has covered himself in glory in Plymouth and the management at the club there have decided to give him a chance against Bombardier Wells, They meet at catchweight of course for a purse of £500 a side.- Wells will have a big advantage over Mc Goldrick in height and reach as Pelky has found. In addition, the Bombardier is much heavier but Dan is not perturbed. The Airdrie man friends are satisfied that no matter what happens, Mc Goldrick will not disgrace his homeland and with a bit of luck can get the verdict.

• Mc Goldrick versus Wells: There can be no doubt about it. Scotsmen as fighters in the battlefield and in the ring have gained much in prestige recently. At the moment when Tancy lee holds one of the Lonsdale belts, Alex Lafferty seems on the high road to win another and Dan Mc Goldrick has been adding victory after victory to his record, followers of the sport north of the tweed must be pardoned if the feel a bit elated. Mc Goldrick deserved the greatest credit for the manner in which he has slowly but persistently climbed the pugilistic ladder. Since he began boxing eight years ago, mc Goldrick has been a model glove fighter, never on any occasion using his great ability even when under severe provocation, unless when opposed in the ring and then always with scrupulous fairness. Recently he has been taking on anyone, no matter country or weight. And as a consequence, he has been selected as the best heavyweight to meet represent eves from abroad. In Plymouth, mc Goldrick has become quite a favourite through his decisive victories over well known heavy boxers --- Arthur Pelky, heavy weight champion of Canada, and harry smith of South Africa. Against Pelky, who by the way was a model of physique weighting fifteen stones, mc Goldrick won well on points, while in Smiths case, the African was knocked out

•Press headline: Bombardier takes seven rounds to beat Dan Mc Goldrick. Former lights of the boxing world meet in dashing fifteen round bout. Tournament a mid roar of guns at the front.
Dan Mc Goldrick gave bombardier well a ghastly fright when they met at Plymouth at the weekend. In the first round, Mc Goldrick swang an overhand punch for the jaw which unluckily landed high on the cheekbone. It was haymaker of a punch, one that would have sent wells or anyone else to the boards had it landed home on the chin where it was intended to settle. Mc Goldrick risked all on this overhand punch and failing to land it, he of course met defeat. But it took wells 7 rounds to win and at that stage, the bombardier was beginning to show signs of being weary. Had Mc Goldrick had had any steam left, he might have turned defeat into victory, but Dan was all in then too and retired wisely from the contest, content that he had justified the ratification of the contest. Wells won, but he only just won. The Airdrieonian is an awkward man to reach and lacks speed- the speed of Wells, but he has a dig that makes amends for this lack of speed, and now Dan is out with a challenge to any heavy weight in Britain other than wells.


• Shields wins: Referees report: Bobby Shields and Dan Mc Goldrick met in the top event scheduled for ten rounds. Although over 40 years of age, Mc Goldrick stripped well. He is a hardy strong man and having been working since a lad in the coal pits, Dan looked -- as he really was—hard as nails. He was giving away too much in the handicap. Shields was two inches taller, over a stone heavier and only half Dan's age. Dan weighed in at 5 ft 10 and 12 stone 4, whilst shields was 6 ft 2 and 13 st 7 lbs. The veteran, his hair streaked with silver and obviously overmatched faced up to the younger man like a hero. ……. towards the end, Bobby rained punches on his man. Dan's defence was admirable and despite all Shields could do, Mc Goldrick pluckily kept to his feet. The crowd shouted to stop it, but as referee, I paid no heed. Mc Goldrick was not seriously hurt and he had good seconds. Later, pushing Shields back, I said to Dan, the towels in Dan, he muttered as he was being led back to his corner, “he’s too big for me”


• Dan won the Scottish light heavy weight title against ‘Darkie’ Joe Reilly

• Mc Goldrick defeated Johnny Boyle of Blantyre.

• Dan Mc Goldrick of Airdrie beat Jim Naugton of Parkhead on points.

• In 1914, Dan Mc Goldrick fought 10 rounds against Harry Reeve, the middleweight champion of England.

• Dan Mc Goldrick (Airdrie) beat Packy Cassidy of Govan. on points in the chief ten round contest at the ring, Gallowgate last night.

• Dan Mc Goldrick’s proud boast was that “no man in Scotland ever laid me out”

Great great stuff! Thank you for going to the trouble of gathering this material and posting it here. It may well be a revelation to young fans.

Fiercepride. I've sent you my email address, but have not seen any pictures as yet. Please re-send.

Also, can you supply more details such as dates for the missing fights you've mentioned above? I haven't come across the Warren, Smith, etc bouts previously. Would be nice to be able to add these to his record.


Thanks.

Slan.

It was interesting to see the comment regarding Dan defeating a Joe Smith for the scottish title.
My grandfather was a Joe Smith from blantyre who held the scottish title,and i do remember my father talking about Dan McGoldrick although from what i can recall he did not defeat my grandfather. I wonder if another Joe Smith was around at that time.
I am writing this from an oilrig, when i get home i will check my grandfathers book which i am sure refers to Dan.I also have some press cuttings from the 1950/60s which have photos of my grandfather and refer to his unbeaten record.

Regards Steve Smith

Hey Steve any insight to Scottish great Bert Gilroy?

BTW Rob Snell might know about your grandad as Rob is more familiar with this period. His website is Merseyside Fighters...

keep us posted and anything about Gilroy is appreciated.

Anyone comes across a photo of Dan McGoldrick sr. aka "The Scots Bulldog" please let me know.

Cap

Hello Jim

Again i remember my father talking about Bert Gilroy,when i get home i will see what i info i can find regarding Bert . I regret my dad is no longer around he was a mine of information regarding fighters from the 30s to the 50s and could tell some great stories from the fighters that his dad had fought during the early part of the century who he had met over the years

jimglen wrote:Hey Steve any insight to Scottish great Bert Gilroy?

BTW Rob Snell might know about your grandad as Rob is more familiar with this period. His website is Merseyside Fighters...

keep us posted and anything about Gilroy is appreciated.

Now this is interesting shit!

I am thrilled to see that there is still so much interest in Dan McGoldrick as he was my Granda. My father, Frank also fought under the name of 'big Dan' and although he also had many good fights he didn't have the success that my Granda did.

You don't have a pic of your Granda in his fighting kit do you? I'd like to add it to his page.

Cap

Dan McGoldrick is my great grandfather, his daughter catherine was my grandmother. Back in it hink 1996 i met her brothers Frank, Tommy, and Dan

are you an Airdrie and Coatbridge person, those two fine Scottish towns...

I too would like to see a picture of Ol' Dan McGoldrick.
there was a story about his death a few years back in the Advertiser though I wasn't able to get a picture of him as I was reading it online (no pic attached), the article did say that a "mutual" friend of Ray Robinson's from Philadelphia asked Ray to try and see Dan McGoldrick when he came to Scotland years ago, Ray did and they even got pictures taken together.

This has got to be the same Philly 'connection' that Ol' Dan wanted to send Bert Gilroy too, I'd love to know more about that if possible.

Cheers, Jim.

This thread gets better each time

Hi! My grandfather was Frank McGoldrick and my great grandfather was Dan McGoldrick. I don’t know much about my grandfather or my great grandfather except they were both boxers. I did meet my grandfather Frank McGoldrick, his wife Helen and son James in 1983 and again in 1987, but I lost contact with them after that; though I am aware that Frank and Helen have passed away. However I think his son James McGoldrick would know a lot about the family history and be able to assist you with information and possibly photos of Dan McGoldrick. James still lives in Scotland, though I am not sure where he lives. Hope this helps you.