We are calling on all Gortin GAC cyclists to show support by either joining in for a short distance – or even just to be there – all in our Gortin GAC jerseys!!

Cycle for Life is led by Cormac Ryan whose story is told below and is raising funds for the Cormac Trust, Tallaght Hospital Screening Clinic, and the Irish Heart Foundation

 

Please spread the word and see if we can get a few gathered up. An option would be for a number of cyclists to join in from Rouskey Chapel meeting at about 11:50 am and escort Cormac and co into Gortin. 

 

Details following;

Please find the details of the Cycle for Life it would be great if there we a few Tyrone people tagging along through the O Neill County stage.

 

The route is as follows:

DAY 1 (April 5th):Dublin to Eglish-150KM DAY 2: ( April 6^th )Eglish to Ballybofey-100KM DAY 3 (April ( 7^th ):Ballybofey to Sligo-132KM DAY 4:(April 8^th ) Sligo to Westport-100KM DAY 5:(April 10^th )Westport to Galway-82KM DAY 6:( April 11^th) Galway to Killmallock-138KM DAY 7:April ( 12^th ) Killmalock to Cork-70KM DAY 8:April (13^th ) Cork to Waterford-121KM DAY 9: April (14^th )Waterford to Courtown-90KM DAY 10: April (15^th )Courtown to Dublin-105KM

 

DUB HURLING HEART HERO TO CYCLE ROUND IRELAND

First Stop – Eglish!

A young Dublin hurler who was diagnosed with a serious heart problem, and was fitted with a pacemaker, is to cycle 1100 kilometres around Ireland for charity with four other young Dubs, starting on 5^th April – with first stop Eglish, Dungannon! The heroic young sportsman who played goalie for the Dublin Minor All-Ireland finalists in 2011, will be joined with four other young Dublin hurlers and footballers on this arduous“Cycle For Life” . They will first stop in Eglish to pay homage to Cormac McAnallen, visiting his grave and other places associated with him, where they will be greeted with a brief reception by Cormac’s family and other local sportspeople, then staying overnight in Benburb, where a special Welcome Quiz will be held on the night of 5^thApril in the Bottle of Benburb. And the young athletes are expected to be joined in the local area by a number of local cyclists, while local cycle clubs are planning to give the lads a hearty send-off on Saturday morning as they embark on the next leg of their long trek, heading to Donegal.

Cormac Ryan, the young player who initiated this event, was just eighteen and a very talented hurler for his club, Whitehall Colmcille’s, as well as the Dublin County team, when he experienced health problems, feeling over-tired, having chest pains and collapsing on the pitch. He realises something was wrong, and, urged by his father Gerry, he underwent tests, to discover that he had a condition that could be called SADS. Cormac was very upset, but did not want to give up, so, having been given the Ok by his cardiologist and helped by brothers and friends, he decided on this “Cycle For Life” to raise awareness of SADS, and to support the three charities which have helped him and which he sees as being very important as raising public awareness of SADS and screening; the Cormac Trust, Tallaght Hospital Screening Clinic, and the Irish Heart Foundation.

The five young cyclists have been training and working very hard to prepare for this event, and have held several very successful fundraising events. Everyone who wants to support these generous and gifted young players should come along to the Bottle of Benburb at 8.00 p.m. for the Charity Quiz on the 5^thApril. Cyclists and cycle clubs are also invited to meet the young men and give them a send-off on Saturday morning at approximately 10.30 a.m.

For further information, please visit the Cycle For Life Facebook page at:

http://www