JIM Hogan, a former international athlete who broke and trained horses in Knocklong, Co Limerick, has died, aged 81.

From Athlacca, he changed his name from Cregan to Hogan after moving to Britain to find work in 1960. He represented Ireland in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo but ran under the British flag when he won the marathon at the 1966 European championships.

As a young man he had ridden work for jumps trainer P.P. Hogan and, on returning to Ireland, he broke and trained horses in Knocklong and was a popular figure on the racecourse.