Life is funny and sad, and in these days, cycling folk are still coming to terms with the news that filtered through from far off Thailand a number of weeks ago with the news that Limerick's star on the two wheels for many years, David Hourigan had passed away. On Saturday David will make a journey to his final resting place after Mass in the Church of Our Lady on the Ennis Road in Limerick. He will be buried in Ballcannon Cemetery, Mellick, Co. Clare. It is at the foot of Cratloe.
Since his untimely passing the stories about his cycling prowess are now well and truly documented. But I tracked down his friend and colleague for many a long year, Robert Power from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
People of my vintage would remember the Morcambe and Wise, Father Ted, but the show in cycling was the Robert and David Show. The pair were literally unbeatable on the bike and throughout their cycling career despite the intense competition they remained the best of friends during those competitive days.
"From the start of our careers on the bike, there are some amazing stories, but the one that grabbed my attention was the visit to Moscow for the Junior World Championships in 1989. For virtually the entire race the number 51 was on everybody’s lips! In the closing meters of the event both David and I were in the thick of the action, but then a massive crash happened with bodies everywhere. And, Davy's words to me who is number 51? That was their first introduction to the one and only Lance Armstrong. And the story gets better.
Those days in Moscow things were not as flathulach. But Davy (the light of God to him) done a bit a bartering and just let us say we did not go hungry. He also recalls the days with the Paddy Buckley Solicitors team where both of them were on the same team. Boy! Those were the days. At least I have the memories where I first met Davy in Dunderrow between Kinsale and Clonakilty which I will cherish and there are other people out there who can relate to David," said Robert. Rumour in the Dungarvan area is that Robert will make an entrance into cycling again.
To his family who are feeling the loss of a son who brought joy to all who met him? Hopefully they will find comfort with these words. But let this be your best comfort, as it is ours that he fell asleep (rather than departed) decently and softly with such a fine testimony of his lips that we all marvelled. There can be little doubt that he is with God, my he rest in peace.
David Hourigan's funeral arrangements: Funeral Mass is this Saturday at Our Lady of the Rosary Church on the Ennis road at 11am. Burial of Ashes after in Ballycannon Cemetery, Meelick. RIP.
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Leinster TT Championships (Dundalk)
As part of their 75 year anniversary celebrations Cuchulainn Cycling Club are promoting the Leinster Time Trial Championships. Time-Trailing is known as the race of truth, as all riders must ride individually over the same course and the rider with the fasted time is declared the winner.
The event will be run on the old Dublin Road on a 10 mile (16km) course. The route is flat with a reasonably good surface starting from the Felda Health & Fitness Spa beside The Fairways Hotel with the turn in the village of Castlebellingham. Expect to see ”state-of-the-art-bikes” as riders employ the latest technology to try and shave seconds off their times.
Event: Leinster Time Trial Championships tonight at 7pm Prizes: Medals will be awarded on the night to 1st three Leinster riders in the following categories: A1, A2, A3, A4 & Under 16. Entry: Cost of entry is €15 and competitors must pre enter.
Directions: Competitors travelling along the M1 should take the Dundalk South exit of the motorway (Exit 16) heading towards Xerox, turn right after Xerox towards Castlebellingham along the R132. The Felda complex is located 500m along this road on the left had side. Contact: Karl Dolan - 087 2219810 - karl@dundalkcycling.com
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PADDY FLANAGAN 2 DAY (Kildare)
The Lily Whites never forget there own and on Saturday the Pfizer Newbridge Cycling Club will commemorate one of the finest cyclists that ever lived in the county. We are talking of the one and only the late paddy Flanagan. An assuming man who let the pedals on his bike does the talking.
Paddy Flanagan was born in 1941 in Kildangan, County Kildare. He was one of the top Irish cyclists of the 1960s and 1970s and achieved prominence in the Rás Tailteann. Flanagan first competed in the Rás Tailteann in 1958 where he came 11th on general classification (GC). The following year he came 2nd on GC. 1960 saw Flanagan record his first Rás win. Flanagan peaked in 1964, becoming the first cyclist to win the Rás twice.
In the years up to 1969 Flanagan maintained his position in the top echelons of Irish cycling with two stage wins and three top five finishes.
In 1969 Flanagan, along with his brother Ned joined the ICF. He competed in one Tour of Ireland where he finished in 4th place. Following a year’s hiatus in 1972, he rejoined the ICA and competed in the 1974 Rás. The following year 1975 Flanagan won the Rás for the third time. Flanagan’s rise to prominence in the sport coincided with that of his fellow Irishman and great friend Shay O'Hanlon, and together with O'Hanlon, Gene Mangan and others, Flanagan epitomised a breed of cyclist known as "Men of the Rás".
Paddy Flanagan Memorial Two Day, Kildare Town, Saturday and 19/20th. Sign on Aras Bride Kildare Town from 10am.
Sat 19th Stage 1, Road Stage 120 kms Start time 1 pm
Sun 20th Stage 2, Time Trial Distance 5 kms Start time 9am.
Sun 20th Stage 3 12:45pm Criterium 1hour 5 laps.
Open to A+/A1/A2/A3. Big prize money and primes. Entry fee €30 per rider.
Riders Note “If entry exceeds more than 80 riders only the top 80 on general classification will be guaranteed to ride the Criterion “this is due to the short circuit on the criterium and must be limited to 80 riders.”
Criterium Racing for u/age on Sunday 20th (entry on the day) u/12/u/14/u/16 start time 12pm.
The lap distance is 24 kms leaving Kildare town to Monastereven, Kildangan and back to the outskirts of Kildare Town. Five laps of that circuit and on the last lap will turn off on the approach to Kildare Town to finish out side the Flanagan Homestead at Newtown on the outskirts of Kildare town.
For some unknown reason, this event from an organisational point is perfect but the administration with the cycling corridors has put a jinx on it. Lesser men would have thrown in the towel, but John Malone is known throughout the cycling fraternity is one helluva of an organiser.
As he said himself the show goes on and thankfully I am happy with the response and the enquiries to date. Sadly the defending champion Paul Healion who died tragically last year will be watching from the heavens, but hopefully things will go well.
Last weeks winner of the Sean Nolan GP, Neil Delahaye has a good track record in this event and should be collecting the winner’s purse on Sunday evening. Aidan Crowley who loves the cut and trust of criterium racing will the fav for that event. Aidan represented the Kildare/Pfizer/Newbridge team in the recent FBD Insurance Ras and as a way of saying thanks for the hospitality shown to him, a win would send the positive message. Also don't rule out the chances of Colm Robinson who rode a stormer last Sunday to finish second.
With the National Championships only week away, you can be sure that the numbers will be here in force in Kildare. It will be interesting to see how the teams will fare! Considering that EuroCycles stole a lot of the thunder in the recent FBD Insurance Ras. The likes of Dan Morrisey/Carrick Wheelers will sharpening their efforts to get back at the top of the Edge CC who certainly lit the season so far and then again the Usher Irish Road Club showing last week in one of the longest races so far this year that they could be hitting the right notes come Sunday week.
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THE LEAHY CUP (Cork)
Fifteen years since the Leahy Cup was up for grabs. Well on Sunday the Ballymore Cycling Club will address that problem by hosting a top class event for all categories bar the number ones. It will give the opportunity for open racing.
The cup is named after the famous Leahy brothers & founding members of the club. The cup has been won by some great Irish cycling names over the years that include the likes of Mick Cahill winner of the first race in 1973 & again in 1974. Other names on the cup include 3 times winner Bobby Power 76 -85 & 92, Stephen Spratt, Cobh’s own Jimmy Quinn winner in 1988, Anthony O’ Gorman & the last winner Paul Butler back in 1995.
On the cards it is looks as though it is going to be a day for the brotherhood and Ballymore C.C will be represented on the day by the Deady brothers riding in the senior race along with the Hayes brothers, Sean and Kevin riding in the under 12 & under 14 races and these boys will be attempting to add to their medals that they won last Wednesday in the Cork Championships in Fermoy.
Then of course the Barry brothers from Tower in Blarney who hit the headlines at the weekend. Eamonn and Kevin winning in Roundwood and Currow. So, it looks as though they could be the magical pair this Sunday and particularly they would like to do it in the County. Ballymore CC and the Barry’s' have something in common! Both have come in from the cold? Blarney CC who the lads represent and the Ballymore Club have risen again from the ashes and it is welcome return for both parties.
Head quarters for the event will be The High Chaparral Bar in Ballymore Cobh. Under age sign on will be from 10.45am & racing will start with the under 12’s first at 11.30am. All under age will complete laps of a 3.2km course.
The senior sign on will be from 12.00pm
Race 1 - A2 & A3 starting at 13.30pm with A2 starting 2 min behind the A3 (7 laps of 10km)
Race 2 - A4 starting at 13.35pm (5 laps of 10km)
The race HQ will be well signed posted from the bridge coming onto the island. Contact Kevin on 021 4814457.
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24hr Cycle Challenge
The Gaelforce 24hr Cycle Challenge - Are you and a group of your friends looking for a weekend away with a difference? The 24hr Cycle Challenge takes place on the weekend of the 19th of June. Get a group of friends together and come camp in one of the most stunning spots in the West of Ireland, take part in the road bike or mountain bike challenge, meet new people and do something different! The event is open to soloists, duos and groups of 5 or 10 competitors. If you are coming with a group each person only has to complete the route once to qualify. The team works on a relay system so there is only one person on the route at any time. Once each person has completed a lap it is up to each team member how many laps they wish to complete. Entries are now open so sign your group up today. www.gaelforceevents.com - More info here www.irishcycling.com
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YOUTH RACING IN PALMERSTOWN CANCELLED FOR 2 WEEKS
Youth racing in the calendar for Waterstown Park, Dublin for Sunday the 20th and the 27th of June are cancelled. The reasons are that Newbridge CC are holding a youth event on the 20th of June in Kildare town and to support the club in getting a good turnout it is better to have only one youth event in Leinster on that date. On the 27th of June the local resident association are running numerous events in Waterstown park and it would no be feasible to run races on the same time.
PHOENIX PARK RACE CANCELLED
The Andy Mahon Memorial Race scheduled for the Phoenix Park next Tuesday is Cancelled.
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Tour de Burren next stop for the An Post Cycle Series
Soak up the summer sunshine on Saturday Clare: The Tour De Burren, Saturday 19th June - Family Loop 10km, Challenge 60km and let your pedals do the talking by cycling around the scenic Burren in County Clare when the An Post Cycle Series makes its way there later this month.
The popular Cycle Series, which runs throughout the summer, aims to encourage people of all shapes, sizes and abilities to get their bike out of the garage and jump into the saddle.
Last month, the first event of the summer got underway in Sligo, with over 1,400 cyclists taking part. Next up is the Tour de Burren on Saturday 19th June, where keen cyclists will have the option of the 10 kilometre Aillwee Cave Family Loop, the 60k Corkscrew Challenge or the serious amateurs out there have the choice of taking on the 160k ‘Burning Burren’.
You might even come across legendary Irish cyclist Sean Kelly, who is this year’s Cycle Series Ambassador. Sean took part in last month’s event and will also be taking a leisurely cycle around the Clare route.
Get On Your Bike – The An Post Cycle Series has something for everybody! For more information on how to register for the Tour de Burren, email info@claresportspartnership.ie or phone (065) 6865434
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A4 RIDERS WELCOME IN MAYO
For clarification purposes, Mayo Wheelers CC who are organising a three day at the beginning of next month are anxious to point out that A4's will be welcome. The opener on Friday evening is 45 mile event, followed on Saturday with a 56 miler and a 5 mile TT in the evening. On Sunday it is a 50 miler.
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Please send us up to date information on your open racing events and leisure runs and we will include them on our fixtures calendar. Email us at: events2010@irishcycling.com
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