DESCRIPTION:
Jack Doyle known as "The Gorgeous Gael" was born august 31, 1913 in Cobh, Co. Cork in Ireland.
He was at one time a contender for the British Boxing Championship,
he was a Hollywood actor and an accomplished tenor.
His division was heavyweight,
stance orthodox,
height 6'5,"
reach 31",

won 17 (KO 16) + lost 6 (KO 4) + drawn 0 = 23

He died in 1978 at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington and was buried in his native Cobh.

The Contender was written by Jimmy McCarthy around 1983,
And performed by Tommy Fleming.
The Contender
by Jimmy McCarthy


When I was young and I was in my day
I could steal what woman's heart there was away
Sing and dance into the dawning
Blaze a trail until the morning
Long before I was the man you see today

And I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could have lived my life between Cork, Cobh and Youghal
But the wheel of fortune took me
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle live by the bottle i shall fall

But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving

And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat
Rap the Starry Plough around me
Let the piper's air resound me
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet

But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving