Michael Joseph Bulger

Bulger achieved lasting fame for his role as one of the umpires involved in the disqualification of Dorando Pietri at the finish of the marathon at the 1908 London Olympics.

It was while at Dublin University that Bulger was called up to play in his only international match, facing the first-ever New Zealand Native football team.

[2] After the loss, Bulger never played international rugby again, but this did not diminish his involvement in the game, as he represented Lansdowne Football Club while still a student.

The marathon, which took place on 24 July 1908, started with 56 competitors, including Pietri and fellow Italian Umberto Blasi.

When he entered the stadium, he took the wrong path and when umpires, including Michael Joseph Bulger, redirected him, he fell down for the first time.

The complaint was accepted and Pietri was disqualified and removed from the final standings of the race, but almost immediately became an international celebrity.