MAHONEY IS A VERSATILE ATHLETE

Southland Times, Issue 23544, 25 June 1938, Page 15

MAHONEY IS A VERSATILE ATHLETE

To those who know of R. G. Mahoney’s performances in sport when he was attending Otago Boys’ High School and since then, it is not surprising that he caught the eyes of the selectors of the South Island team for the inter-island match, if only as an emergency, says a writer in The Evening Post, Wellington. When be was at school Mahoney was a boy of whom very good opinions were formed by Dunedin critics and it looks as though, if given the opportunity, he may yet win his way to the top of the Rugby tree. Not only has Mahoney done well at football, but also as a cricketer and an athlete.

He won a place in the Otago High School first fifteen and also the first eleven, and when playing second fiveeighth at school came under the guidance of “Jimmy” Duncan, who was impressed with this young player.

As a cricketer he was an attractive right-hand batsman and at school showed great promise as a left-hand bowler of medium pace. In one match against Christ’s College he secured the very good .bag of six for 58. After leaving school he linked up with the Otago High School Old Boys’ Cricket Club, playing for the senior, eleven. He has done better, however, as a footballer.

When in Dunedin he played for the Pirates Club and in his first season of senior football had the distinction of gaining representative honours in the Otago team which at that time was holding the other provincial teams in search of the Ranfurly Shield. As an athlete Mahoney, since leaving school, has not done much on the track. He won the Otago Boys’ High School championship in 1933, and in the following year specialized in hurdling with such success that twice in one day he returned the fine time of 15 l-ssec for the 120 yards hurdles (3ft hurdles), establishing a record. He also turned in school records for the hop, step, and jump and pole vault. Mahoney has been described as a keen observer and one who is ever willing to learn. He may yet win higher honours, not only in football, but also in cricket and possibly in athletics. Mahoney is the Invercargill Clubs centre three-quarter who is almost assured of a place in the Southland Rugby team this season.