Leahy Cup Cycling Race 40th Anniversary – Ballymore 16th June 2013

The Leahy Cup Cycling Race will take place in Ballymore on the 16 June 2013. This is the 40th Anniversary of the race and so this is really a special event for the Great Island and Ballymore Cycling Club. Over the last few years the Club has started to flourish once more and the running of the Leahy Cup is of great importance to the Club. The race was initially ran in 1973 and was won by the great Mick Cahill, he did the double in 1974, and since then some great names in the world of Irish domestic cycling have won this prestigious event, including the late Bobby Power from Carrick –on-Suir, the legendary Stephen Spratt and of course some legendry Cobhites such as Jimmy Quinn in 1987 and Michael Fitzgerald in 2011, who has just completed his 8th An Post Ras, a fantastic achievement.

It is now considered one of the toughest races on the domestic circuit with the Senior A1/A2 riders completing 10 laps of the 10Km circuit, which incorporates the climb from Cuskinny up to the Valley Road and a left turn up into Ballymore, no doubt they’ll be many prayers said passing the Church each time. We are appealing for more home support this year from people on the Island. What better way to spend an afternoon then watching a great sporting event for free as the men and women of the Leahy Cup battle it out on the roads of Ballymore. As we all know there will be refreshments available in the village and I know that all the riders appreciate the encouragement from every angle.

Of course we have many home cyclists in the races on the day. The afore mentioned Michael Fitzgerald and John O’Brien will be competing in the main event, in the A3/Junior event we’ll have Timmy Hayes, Pat Forrest, Eamon Deady,Kevin Hayes Jnr,and Dylan O’Brien, in the A4 event Kevin Hayes Snr will be partaking and also riders in the underage category. There is rumour also that some of the Sean kelly/An Post Team may make an appearance as this is the final race before the National Champs the following week, but this has to be confirmed, who knows the great man himself may make an appearance. We are also appealing for stewards that are so important in the running of such an event, just a few hours out of your day would be so much appreciated and maybe some of the best views of the race as it unfolds, so if anyone would be interested please contact any member of the club or alternatively ring John at 0861779323.

So a final big shout out to all the people on the Great Island to make a date in your diary for the 16 June 2013 for the 40th Anniversary of the Leahy Cup, it’s free, it’s exciting and what better way to spend an afternoon watching the cyclists battle it out on the hard hills of Ballymore. As we all know times are slightly tough at the moment but sport has always inspired us, making us shout, laugh, cry and giving us every emotion possible under the sun, so on that note head to the village on the 16th, roar your encouragement and enjoy the craic and who knows the sun may shine.