Skryne man’s charity cycle a big success
FUNDRAISER Inaugural Coast to Curragh challenge proved popular
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A group photograph in the parade ring at Navan Racecourse on Saturday of the participants in the Coast to Curragh fundraiser. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 2 of 8
Barry Geraghty was getting valuable advice from Donal Curtis, and Linda McAllen at Navan Racecourse at Navan Racecourse on Saturday morning. John QuirkeImage 3 of 8
Rita and Vincent Eivers with Teresa Allen on Saturday morning. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 4 of 8
Barry Geraghty (left) with Tadhg O’Shea and Shane Foley at Navan Racecourse on Saturday. John QuirkeImage 5 of 8
Stephen Kelly (left), Paddy Ennis and George Rathborne were flying the flag for Skryne at Navan Racecourse on Saturday morning. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 6 of 8
Niall Monaghan (left) and Emmet McAdam of Ashbourne Wheelers were on Coast to Curragh duty on Saturday. John QuirkeImage 7 of 8
Dubs sampling the Meath air were Jake Rogers (left), Walkinstown and Donal Flanagan, Rathfarnam. John QuirkeImage 8 of 8
Sean O’Regan, Skryne. Brian McDonnell, St Margaret’s and John Quinn, Skryne took the Coast to Curragh challenge on Saturday. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeSkryne man Gavin Lynch was delighted with the response to the inaugural Coast to Curragh Cycle fundraiser that saw more than 300 particpants tackle all or some of the 155km route from Laytown on Saturday.
The Coast to Curragh charity cycle was an idea that Lynch developed in memory of his late mother Olive who passed away 11 years ago from pancreatic cancer, as did the late Pat Smullen only last year.
Pedalpower replaced horsepower at Navan racecourse on Saturday morning as the cyclists taking part in the Coast to Curragh fundraiser took a brief pitstop to recharge the batteries before heading for the next stop, Fairyhouse.
"It started off as an idea in memory of my mother and it just took off from there, it was a great success and we had people like Barry Geraghty, Rachael Blackmore, Shane Foley and even Paul Carberry joined in," Lynch told the Meath Chronicle.
"The option was there to complete the route from Laytown to the Curragh or to dip in and out as suited, my own wife Ann Marie did the cycle and it was a tremendous achievement for her as she recovered from illness last year, Derville Meade also completed the cycle and it was a great success.
"I'd like to put on record my gratitude to the people behind the scenes at all the venues from Laytown to the Curragh, we were very well treated and it was brilliant to see jockey Shane Foley start at Laytown and finish at the Curragh, but that was only possible due to the fact that he was suspended from race-riding," he added.
Laytown was the starting point on Saturday morning as the cyclists set off for Bellewstown where the reports were that the Hill was shrouded in mist as the trek began and then on to Navan with an arrival time of around 9.45am.
Top flat jockey Shane Foley was an enthusiastic participant and explanied that it was only possible due to a suspension that he is currently serving as he grabbed some much-needed refreshments.
There also was Barry Geraghty, fresh from collecting an award midweek for his book True Colours which scooped the best international autbiography award at the Telegraph Sports Books Awards.
From Navan the group headed for Fairyhouse and from there to Moyglare Stud, Naas, Punchestown, Gilltown Stud and on to the Curragh.
All funds from the event will benefit Cancer Trials Ireland in memory of the late Olive Lynch and Pat Smullen and it is estimated that some €145,000 was raised.
Donations are still coming in and can be made via GoFundMe.com - search for Coast to Curragh.
BELLEWSTOWN
Bellewstown racecourse will host a charity fundraiser this week also with the feature race on the Thursday card a benefit for the charity founded by the late Barney Curley, Direct Aid For Africa (DAFA)
This week marks the 25th anniversary of Frankie Dettori winning all seven races on the card at Ascot on 28th September 1996 and the popular jockey will be supporting the DAFA race at Bellewstown.
Also travelling to the Meath track are Jamie Spencer, Tom Queally and Shane Kelly to ride alongside Ireland’s topflat jockeys in a special race in memory of the late Barney Curley. The €20,000 Gannons City Recovery And Recycling Services Ltd Supporting DAFA Handicap, over one mile, will be the feature race on the day.
All monies raised will be donated to the charity Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA) which the late Barney Curley set up in 1996 to support the underprivileged people of Zambia. Famous for wearing a fedora hat at the races, Bellewstown will auction one of Barney Curley’s trademark hats on Thursday. The hat has been donated by Barney’s daughter Catherine. In addition, DAFA has a host of raffle items which will be used for a lucky dip competition.
Racegoers will be asked to donate to the charity and in return, the names will be put into a hat to win one of the many lucky dip prizes.
“Tom, Jamie, Shane and I are really looking forward to visiting Bellewstown to ride in the Gannons City Recovery And Recycling Services Ltd supporting DAFA race in memory of our great friend and his charity," commented Dettori.
“Barney was very good to all of us from the moment we arrived in England. He was always at the end of the phone with good advice and while Barney didn’t say a lot, when he did you listened very carefully.
“His advice helped us with the many successes we have had in our respective careers, donate what you can and support the wonderful work of DAFA,” added the legendary jockey who is well known for the ‘flying dismount’ in the winners’ enclosure.