Buster McShane

Buster McShane
Personal information
NationalityBritish (Northern Irish)
Born26 July 1930[1]
Died24 April 1973
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Sport
SportWeightlifting
Event
Middleweight
ClubBelfast

Robert Terence McShane better known as Buster McShane (26 July 1930 – 24 April 1973) was a coach, weightlifter and strongman from Northern Ireland, who represented Northern Ireland at the British Empire and Commmonwealth Games (now Commonwealth Games).

Biography

McShane served an apprenticeship with Short and Harlands as a fitter and was a member of the Belfast Health Studios, where he coached weightlifters including Billy Cooke.[2]

In 1957, he was described as Ireland's best-ever weightlifter[3] In 1961 he was also described as Ireland's best-known strongman.[4]

McShane represented the 1962 Northern Irish Team[5] at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, participating in the 67.5kg lightweight category.[6]

Mary Peters credits McShane as being her mentor for ten years and helping her career.[7]

McShane died in on 24 April 1973,[7] when his motor vehicle hit a wall at Holywood in Belfast.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Moscow fesitval will draw 200 Ulster folk". Belfast Telegraph. 6 September 1956. p. 11. Retrieved 14 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ "Billy Cooke Off To Bermuda". Belfast Telegraph. 30 June 1959. p. 12. Retrieved 14 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Weightlifting record set up at judo display". Larne Times. 21 November 1957. p. 6. Retrieved 14 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Billy Cooke coming home". Belfast Telegraph. 16 September 1961. p. 10. Retrieved 14 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Northern Ireland Perth 1962". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Weightlifting 67.5kg Combined - Men Perth 1962". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  7. ^ a b "My Mentor". The Guardian. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Golden Girl's Coach Killed". Cambridge Daily News. 24 April 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 14 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.