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Last Updated: Sep 24th, 2008 - 22:37:24 |
The legacy of Davy McCall, the 46-year-old former Irish international cycling star who was killed tragically last month in a club road race outside Belfast, will continue with the launch this week of the David McCall Cycling Foundation.
The Foundation has been established by David?s club Maryland Wheelers in conjunction with Cycling Ulster and the McCall family and the money raised will be used to support cycling in Ulster as a fitting tribute to the great contribution made to cycling by David McCall in his lifetime.
A native of Lisburn in County Antrim, Davy was huge character in the sport of cycling. He represented Ireland at International level on numerous occasions between 1985 and 1990 and competed in the Commonwealth Games on three occasions for Northern Ireland -1986,1990 and 1998.
Over a period of 18 years he amassed 32 Irish and Ulster championship medals at road disciplines and held a top category Elite licence for 22 consecutive years until he joined the veteran ranks in 2002. Ironically, David was killed whist preparing for the All Ireland Veterans RR Championship which took place just a few weeks ago.
When he retired from international competition Davy continued to work on behalf of the sport. He was secretary of Cycling Ulster and a long term serving member of the executive. He did much to bring about the unification of the sport in Ireland and also served as a commissarie and top level coach.
In recent years he established the very successful Sportactive company which organises cycling and training holidays in Majorca and France. The famous Sean Kelly was a regular 'run leader' on many of these trips and David established a network of friends from throughout the world.
Donations to the foundation have been flooding in during this past week. Former Deputy Mayor of Ballymena Clifford Davidson, now resident in Scotland, started the ball rolling with a cheque for £500 and this was matched a few days later by Cycling Ireland. Local Derry based club Roe Valley CC have promised a further £350 and Cycling Ulster will meet this week to decide on their contribution.
Maryland Wheelers intend to organise an annual Sportive to help the cause and will also organise an annual criterium in David?s memory in his native Lisburn. Donations may be sent to David McCall Cycling Foundation, C/O 5 Kenilworth Drive, Lisburn , Co Antrim, BT28 3UQ.
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