John McDonnell today announced his retirement after 36 years as head track and field coach at Arkansas. McDonnell achieved the status of legend during his years of coaching that rocketed Arkansas to the top of the track and field college league in the US. Born in Mayo he provided scholarships for countless Irish athletes down through the years. He coached Irish Olympians Frank O'Mara, Paul Donovan and Alistair Cragg. O'Mara and Donovan were part of a golden era of Irish middle distance athletics. O'Mara was World indoor 3,000m champion in 1987 and 1991, while Donovan won silver at the World indoor championships when he chased O'Mara home in 1987. He also coached Cragg to gold in the 3,000m at the European indoor championships in 2005. The Arkansas Irish connection continues with Colin Costelloe who is on scholarship there at present. Red the Arkansas tribute to John McDonnell by clicking Here