Report Brendan Hennessy, photos courtesy of Rory O’ Toole 2022 (or otherwise indicated) with thanks to both
The riders and guests of Midleton Cycling and Triathlon Club marked their late club member John Shanahan’s 2nd anniversary by staging an event John would have loved himself – a handicap team time trial in teams of two. John was visually impaired so always rode with a pilot on his beloved tandem.
Fifteen teams took on the undulating course around Dungourney and back to Midleton via Castelyons Cross, minded and shepherded by a team of volunteer marshals. Despite twenty minutes between the departure of the first and last teams, it was a win for the handicappers when the 3rd last team caught the 3rd team on the line. Youghal Cycling Club’s Anthony Kenneally and Brian Landers tell us they never even heard Midleton CTC’s Daire Breathnach and Cian Murphy approaching. Thanks to the prize sponsorship of Carraigtwohill’s Roca Sports, neither team left Midleton’s My Place empty-handed.
The provisional handicap results, based on the team’s second riders’ Strava times are…interesting, starting in the joint first place:
1st. Cian Murphy & Daire Breathnach 45.10 (hcap 6.00)
1st. Anthony Kenneally & Brain Landers 45:10 (hcap 10.30)
3rd. Conor Lupton & Séamus Begley 45.59 (hcap 7.30)
4th. Jerry O’Sullivan & Sally Drennan 47:00 (hcap 11.30)
5th. Ger McLean & Padraig Hennessy 48:37 (hcap 6.45)
6th. David Baily & Frank Savage 49.30 (hcap 3.45)
7th. John O’Farrell & Will Rock 51:18 (hcap 3.00)
8th. Ciaran O’Callaghan & Sean Walsh 51:22 (h’cap 8:15)
9th. Brendan Hennessy & Sean Greene 52:14 (h’cap 13.00)
10th. Dave White & Mossie Horgan 52.24 (h’cap 9.45)
11th. Martina O’Brien & Peter Meaney 65:23 (hcap 20.00).
Due to the inclement conditions, we have chosen to give the remaining 4 teams an opportunity to contest the handicap categories next weekend (26-27 Feb), yours in sport, Brendan Hennessy (Old Velos)
A feel-good story that has to be told
2 years ago today I flew to Benidorm to get Tomas Mulqueen back to Cork after he broke his pelvis – we managed to do just that, 4 days before the world went into Lockdown.
Little did we know back then what this journey would mean and where it has taken him.
As he lies in his bed yet again in St. James hospital tonight, I am reminded of how fortunate he is to have a wonderful group of friends that have his back no matter what.
Brendan Hennessy, http://www.oldvelos.com/ you truly are a legend for doing this for Tom. (Paul O’Donovan look alike) What a poignant day to do this.
I am personally forever grateful to you and all your OldVelos comrades, yours sincerely Sheila Mulqueen-Gallagher
Mirror…Mirror on the wall…who is the prettiest… (photo of Brendan’s better side from Wig Clinic)
Two years ago, as a token of support for our friend Tomas Mulqueen (Ronde van Cork CC), one OldVelo grew his hair to be donated for child cancer patients (Phew! Grey hair can be dyed, special thanks to the Wig Clinic!). Tomás still needs our support, and you can please support him here: https://gofund.me/5a8a56bf
