CLUBS RUN FOR GOOD CAUSES:
ACCORDING to the classic adventure novel, London gentleman Phileas Foggs made it Around the World in 80 Days. However a resilient bunch of 639 participants representing twenty three Duhallow GAA clubs performed the journey in just three days after clocking up a mammoth 40,835km across the highways and byways of the North West Cork Barony and beyond last weekend.
Stalemate emerged between Ballydesmond and Kiskeam as who claimed the Duhallow Fittest Club title but the real heroes were the participants that answered the call in a novel fundraiser in support of worthy causes.
With the coronavirus posting a gloomy outlook for the prospect of games in the immediate future, Ballydesmond and Kiskeam GAA clubs utilised the downtime to come up with a fundraising event in aid of ICRR Rathcoole based Air Ambulance, Kanturk and Millstreet Community Hospitals and The Burren Chernobyl Project.
And extending a welcome for other clubs to participate, aches and pains surfaced as volunteers ran and walked yet the generosity of the public dampened the punishing stresses and ensured high spirits and enthusiasm among willing recruits.
Originated by Ballydesmond and Kiskeam GAA clubs, those that registered from 23 clubs right across the Barony faced into country terrain to clock up a massive 40,835km and ongoing donations that passed €33,000 earlier this week.
No bother to the volunteers, the hottest day of the year todate on Saturday was cut short in areas by a slow moving thunderstorm that yielded lightning activity and local downpours. However the charity event progressed, the miles added up and so did the cash as members of the public made donations to a GoFundMe page.
In a response, organisers applauded the proud efforts of clubs and participants on lending support to deserving cases.
“They should all be extremely proud of their achievements, the distance covered is greater than around the world, the real winners are the charities and the people of Duhallow coming together to give the beneficiaries a huge financial boost”, they said.
Ultimately, it will take a playoff between Ballydesmond and Kiskeam to determine Duhallow’s Fittest Club, also well placed in the top six were Kilbrin, Kanturk, St. Johns and Castlemagner. And from the ladies category, Knocknagree lead the way, ahead of Dromtariffe
“I’m absolutely thrilled for Knocknagree ladies, its unreal the effort put in by everyone over the weekend, all credit to Ballydesmond and Kiskeam clubs for organising the event”, said Knocknagree LGFA chairperson Catherine Ring.
Individually, Newmarket’s Darren O’Keeffe posted a massive 183.5km to win the mens prize with Tricia Twohig of Banteer Camogie posting 130.2km in the ladies section.
And from a bevy of highlights, Lismire had 22 participants, Patrick Buckley along with sisters Margaret and Noreen registered a cumulative tally of 367km.
St. Johns couple Alan Burton and Denise Quilter enjoyed their participation and the experience from Millstreet Athletic Club proved all important over three days.
“Denise did 94.47km and I got to 100.93km , I wonder could we be Duhallow’s fittest couple after this competition”, quipped Alan.
Dromtariffe’s Daniel O’Keeffe participated from down under Australia while others to offer words of encouragement were Seamus Moynihan (Kerry), D J Carey (Kilkenny), Brendan Bugler (Clare) and Ronan Burke (Galway).
The fundraiser is sure to make a massive difference to the lives of so many people, the Duhallow Fittest Club GoFundMe page remains open up to Sunday for donations.