A proud sporting tradition

SPORT plays a huge part in the lives of the people of Banteer and surrounding areas. In recent years, the rising star has been a young cyclist, Eddie Dunbar, who goes from a polite young chap in person to a tiger out on the road. Eddie Dunbar (Axeon Hagens Berman) achieved the biggest win of his career in April when he soloed to victory at the U23 Tour of Flanders. In doing so, he joined fellow Irishmen Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche in winning the Espoirs or Amateur version of one of the sport’s monuments.

Noted for his agressive racing, with 31kms left of the Tour of Flanders left to race Dunbar attacked and was joined by Tobias Foss (Norway) and Alexys Brunel (France). But Foss could not keep pace on the hilly, cobblestoned terrain. Brunel and Dunbar rapidly built a 50-second lead as they started the final lap of the 22-km local circuit.

On the last ascent of the Eikenberg with 16 kilometres remaining, Dunbar attacked alone and despite a counter attack from the peloton, Dunbar stayed clear to the finish in Oudenaarde to take the biggest win of his career.

Many believe, and with good reason, that the future will hold even greater success for Dunbar. However, it should be noted that Banteer has produced many, many greats in sport – from Olympic hammer throwing to soccer, through the Gaelic games and onto a host of other sports.