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Carrigaline to Bantry for Lions Club Cycle classic
Launching the 19th annual Carrigaline and District Charity Cycle from Carrigaline to Bantry which takes place on October 9th were Michael McGrath TD, Jack Aherne, John Collins (president), Stephen Ginn, James O’Sullivan (District Governor), Pat O’Sullivan, Sean Kelly, Simon Coveney TD, Mark Ginn (chairman) and Greg Aston of Kellogg’s Ireland (sponsor). (Photo: Billy MacGill)
BANTRY is the new destination this year for Carrigaline Lions Club’s 19th Annual Cycle Classic on Saturday October 9th, details of which were outlined at a reception recently at the Clarion Hotel, Cork, attended by past world cycling champion Sean Kelly who is going to participate for the third time.
Chairman of the event is Mark Ginn who welcomed Sean Kelly and other guests including president of Carrigaline and District Lions Club, John A Collins MCC; co-ordinator Sean Nevin, former District Governor James O’Sullivan; former club president Pat O’Sullivan, local Dail Deputies Simon Coveney and Michael McGrath, who are both club members and former cycling racer Jack Ahern from Carrigaline.
One of the nominated charities which Carrigaline Lions Club has supported over the years, said Mark, is Marymount Hospice. Other charities to benefit will be the Jack and Jill Foundation, being District Governor’s wife Cathy O’Sullivan’s nominated charity for 2010, along with Carrigaline Senior Citizens and other local charities.
To date, the Carrigaline Lions Cycle Classic, which has also gone to Killarney, Kenmare, Baltimore and Dungarvan this event has raised in excess of €550,000.
‘Last year we had approximately 165 cyclists and this year we also feel that this can be achieved again with the help of local industries such as Pepsico and our many other supporters and sponsors,’ said Mark.
The event will commence from the Owenabue car park, Carrigaline, on October 9th. Registration will be at 10.30am and the cyclists will depart at 11am. The route will be from Carrigaline to Innishannon, Bandon, Ennniskeane, Ballineen, Dunmanway, Drimoleague and on to Bantry. There will also a fun cycle of 35 kilometres to Bantry from a point in West Cork.
Refreshments will again be provided by Pat and Phylis O’Leary, the road marshals will be Charlie and Ronan Fielding, the health and safety officer will be Greg Aston.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Mark Ginn at 021-4373088. A booking form must be obtained and on completion of this, sponsorship cards will be issued.
The closing date for participating in the charity cycle classic is Friday September 24th.