Whilst passing Mallow Racecourse on the return journey from Dingle last Saturday evening, I remarked that it was indeed quite a spin back to the Kerry coastal town. My three travelling companions rounded on me as one, in pointing out that I had not in fact pedalled there that very morning and that they were quite aware as to how far the journey was! Or words to that effect. Aside from the physical length of the trip, they were entitled to their pique as to a man and woman the effort entailed was mammoth.
The glory of the club is in the collective and this again was evidenced as Mallow GAA Club donned their charitable hats last Saturday in the name of the Jack and Jill Foundation. For the second year running, the club undertook a charity cycle to raise funds for a most worthy cause. Kieran Mills once more marshalled the outing, but not even he could have foreseen the challenging conditions that were to prevail. North westerly winds, driving rain and chilling temperatures tried in vain to dampen the resolve of the 36 cyclists who gathered in Carrigoon at 7 o’clock that morning for an early breakfast.
The cycle set out at around 8 o’clock with an anticipated arrival time in Dingle of 4 o’clock, a mere 145kms to the west. The pelaton was made up of club men and women and a grouping of local Gardaí which also included three American cyclists. Rathmore was the first stopping point and it was here that the challenging conditions were made clear to the supporting cast of travelling vehicles. John Dineen, Tom Slattery, Pandy Healy and Tom Long were left in no doubt as to the harshness of the conditions as they plied their charges with hot tea , coffee and sandwiches and some encouraging salves! Humour played an important part in the day with calls being put out for buckets of Sudocrem, duct tape and nappies to help cushion the more sensitive parts of the anatomy!
Next stop of the day was Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, where the cyclists got another chance to take on fluids and nourishment. As in any charitable pursuit costs are kept to a minimum and the club are most grateful to Jim Barry, Deirdre O’Neill, Paul O’Mahony and the staff at Carrigoon for supplying the cycle with high energy foods and drinks without which the trip would not have been able to have been made. Many thanks also to Fitzgerald Stadium and later in the day Milltown GAA Club for the use of their facilities as we headed west.
From Killarney it was off to Milltown via Killorglin in an effort to keep the trip on as even a keel as possible. Although stretched at stages, all landed in Milltown safely and together. Here the compasses were set for The South Pole Inn, Annascaul, home of the legendary explorer Tom Crean. This leg of the trip was to prove the most testing as the exposed coastline running along Inch took its toll on an already tired team. A beautiful drive, there is no doubt, but the pull up from Inch to Annascaul exerted a punishing price. Unforgiving as it was, the assault on Dingle was not yet done. Tired legs were flung once more over the bars of bicycles with varying degrees of sophistication. The last leg entailed manoeuvring over the final hill where there was a gathering of numbers for one last freewheel into the welcome of the Dingle Skellig Hotel. An opportunist would have bought bicycles at a very reasonable rate had he the temerity to make offers in the hotel car park. Physically and mentally challenged, all rose to the occasion and great pride was taken in the aforementioned collective having arrived merely one hour behind a schedule laid out for much finer climes.
The final tally has yet to be made on the monies collected but same will be published in the club notes in this publication when available.
Congratulations to all of the cyclists who made the trip. Sincere thanks from Mallow GAA Club to you for your efforts, to the support teams who manned the vehicles, to the travelling team of supporters who rallied behind the scenes to feed and water at the break stations and to all who sponsored our cyclists on this occasion. I have no doubt that when the aches subside that Kieran Mills and Sean Murphy will again plot a course to another choice destination. When asked to participate, just remember, it will never again be as hard as the trip to Dingle!
Junior Hurling Championship
Our junior hurlers are out in their first round championship tie this weekend against Doneraile. Throw-in is at 3.30pm this Sunday in Churchtown and we hope you can come and support!
Sympathy
Our deepest condolences to the family of juvenile treasurer Jimmy Kelleher on the recent passing of his dearly departed mother Nora. May she rest in peace!
Lottery
The numbers drawn were 6, 22, 24 and 25. The jackpot was not won. Spin the wheel winner of €75 was Paddy Coughlan, Tara Telecom, c/o Trisha. €30 lucky dip winners: Kevin and Naoise, c/o Paddy McCarthy; Alison O’Shea, c/o Willie O’Connor; Mary Ware, c/o Tom O’Neill. Spinning the wheel on May 21st is Kathleen O’Connor, Patrick’s Place, c/o Jerry O’Brien. The jackpot on May 21st is €4,100.