Larry Flood

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Laurence 'Larry' James Flood, otherwise known as Garda L.J. Flood, was an Irish Olympic boxer and Irish welter champion from Crumlin, Co. Dublin.

He began his career in the Garda, The Irish police force as a promising forensic investigator.

[edit] Introduction To Boxing

One morning of August 1929 while enjoying a lazy moment he gazed through a window that looked out on the barrack square in Islandbridge barracks, his gaze engaged on a boxing team en route to the Phoenix Park for their morning training and with friends shouted a jesting uncomplimentary remark as they passed the window. Unfortunately for Larry, The Sergeant-Major happened to be enjoying a lazy moment also and ordered Flood to join them training hoping that the lesson would teach him the value of the saying 'Silence is Golden'. But surprisingly, Larry came through the test better than most of the trained men.

Soon after Larry joined the National Army whilst still in his early 20's and were there was much interest in him for boxing.

He went through the rudiments of the noble art and he was matched with university man of wide experience. A nervous fighter to begin with, he preserved himself and a meandering path led Flood to an Irish Championship.

[edit] Boxing career

Larry won the leinster championship welter weight in 1931 and was runner-up in the Army championship and Irish championship light weight of the same year. But increasing avoirdupois hastened him into the welter division, at which weight he won the Irish championship in 1932. It was in that same year of 1932 Larry represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He was quotes

'It was a great occasion and I got a kick out of every moment of it'

Larry had 86 fights in his five years at the game. He lost 4 of them. To Flood, his sweetest and keenest of all memories was his defeat of Dave McCleave in Belfast in 1932, who had become professional in England and internationally. During his five years he represented Ireland against Norway, Italy, Germany, France, Wales, Scotland, England and New Zealand.

His record to date, as from 1929-1934

• 1931 Leinster welter Champion and runner-up in the Army and Irish light weight championship.
• In 1932, Leinster welter champion, Army welter and Irish welter champion and Tailteann Finalist.
• 1933, Irish welter finalist
• 1934, Irish middle Champion.

[edit] Personal life

Larry Married Anne Carroll in the 1930s. He resided on Errigal Road,Crumlin, Co. Dublin. They had five children together, Kathleen, Larry Jr, Dermot, Cristina Mary (Marie) and Anthony.

Laurence died on 22 January 1999.