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Last Updated: May 3rd, 2008 - 00:11:46 |
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| John Murphy RIP |
The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) Charity Cycling Team Blazing Saddles are deeply saddened to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of a dear friend and fellow Blazing Saddle John Murphy of Portadown, Co. Armagh.
John died suddenly moments after completing the Mexico 2008 Challenge at the famous Acapulco cliff divers hill top location, on Wednesday, April 30th. Both John and his brother Brian are key members of the NCBI Blazing Saddles for 15 years.
NCBI Blazing Saddles Tour Director Eamon Duffy said: “This is a very very sad day for the entire Murphy Family back home in Ireland. However, despite our grief and sad loss there has never been a stronger bond of friendship and team spirit as evident in our NCBI Blazing Saddles family as it is today here in Acapulco. Our spirits maybe low but our hearts are stronger than ever at this very sad time for all of us.”
Phillip Cassidy, NCBI Blazing Saddles Team Leader said: “ I have had the pleasure of cycling with John on a number of occasions, abroad and back home, over the past 10 years. I said to him as recently as last Tuesday that I have never seen him cycling so well as here in Mexico. Johns usual smile came to his face which I will remember for some time.”
Lic. Patricia Alcala Remus, Director of Public Relations for the City of Acapulco, expressed her deepest sadness to the Murphy family and the NCBI Blazing Saddles tonight at a Gala Dinner hosted by the city to honour Johns memory. City Hall announced that they intend to, in due course, erect a plaque to the memory of John at the famous cliff divers location in Acapulco. This kind gesture was greatly appreciated by all the Irish Blazing Saddles present.
John and his good friend Victor were familiar characters, friends and well known cyclists the length and breadth of Ireland, and familiar figures in the fluorescent yellow colours of NCBI Blazing Saddles. Johns brother Brian is also a great friend and supporter of our charity cycling team. Brian is a valued tandem pilot down the years in NCBI Blazing Saddles.
John will be dearly missed by his many many friends and colleagues in our NCBI Blazing Saddles team, never to be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Signed by
Mexico Challenge 2008 Team
Acapulco, Mexico. May 1st, 2008.
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