Bohermeen club event for National Bike Week

CYCLING Under-age members recognised for achievements

Bohermeen Cycling Club hosted a special family fun evening on Thursday of last week as part of National Bike Week.

Club officials also used the occasion to recognise the achievements of the young cyclists who represented the club at the All-Ireland Youth Championships.

Framed photographs were presented to Sophie English, Killian Owens, Craig Ennis, Eoin Davis, Cian English, Jamie Fitzpatrick, Senan Traynor and Ryan Walsh.

There was also a series of skills-based events for the juvenile members of the club and PRO Brigid Reilly explained the role the club has in the community.

"There is great enthusiasm amongst the members and we have a very strong under-age section," she commented.

"We cater for all age groups from under-10 boys and girls upwards as well as adult members, there are some members who are leisure cyclists and we also cater for the competitive side of the sport as well.

"It's only in the past few months that we have returned to action and many of the boys and girls have competed in competitions across the country.

"Apart from the competitive aspect, there is a lot of basic stuff that everyone can learn through the club, something as simple as just starting to cycle again, safety on the road, tips about maintenance and upkeep of the bicycle, all that type of stuff.

"My brother Chris and my sister Marie have been involved with the club and have competed for many years.

"I have been involved for nearly 10 years and my reward is that I got the job of PRO.

'We have a very promising young cyclist from Bohermeen in Adam Gilsenan, he competed in the European Championships earlier this month. Adam was been selected to race with Italian CC Canturino Team for the current season.

"The team consist of 13 riders and Adam is the only non-Italian, it's great for the club, but the leisure cycling is also important and we encourage everyone to get involved," she concluded.

Club chairman Joe Ball explained that the club was first established in the 1930s.

"The club set a record for the 25-mile time trial on the Navan road in 1936 and then there was the cup that was presented by Admiral Craig Waller who lived in the parish,” he commented.

"That competition, the Waller Cup, has continued over the years, it was first contested in 1937.

"Two years ago the great granddaughters of Admiral Waller, Charlotte and Sarah Westrop Craig Waller were in Bohermeen for the historic race.

"Hopefully they will be able to visit again next year for the Waller Cup race, that's the intention at the moment anyway.

"We have more than 120 members across all age groups and we are always delighted to welcome new members.

““t's not confined to Bohermeen only and we welcome members from anywhere, all they need is the enthusiasm required for cycling.

"We are very proud of the progress that Adam Gilsenan has made, he was racing for Ireland in the European Championships this month, he started off here in the under-age section like many of the boys and girls that are here this evening.

"If it's only leisure cycling that you are interested in that's also catered for and it's a very big part of the club

"In the past people like Liam Fay, Andy Bennett and Ann Mgauire all did sterling work for the club, our present secretary Marie Reilly started off with the under-age section, it was the same for our current treasurer Jimmy Gilsenan.

'We organise charity events throughout the year, all that has been disrupted over the last 18 months, but hopefully we are getting back to normal now,” he concluded.