St. Kieran’s GAA Club members are great believers in the ‘early bird’ philosophy. They’re already making preparations for one of their main fundraisers due in May.
The launch took place at Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club earlier today. This is the club’s third annual Leisure Cycle Tour of the Parishes. And it’s very parochial. They cycle only in and through those parishes which form the St Kieran’s club catchment area and the big cycle will be held on Sunday May 22nd.
The event will start at 10am sharp from Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club grounds. But registration will begin at 8am that morning and participants are advised to come early.
No Divisional Board
“St Kieran’s Club is unique insofar as it does not have gate receipts to help defray costs during the season as it is not supported by a divisional board. The club competes in the Kerry county championships at: senior; U-21 and minor levels,” said club ‘spokes’-man, Jackie Brosnan.
“St. Kieran’s players have helped Kerry teams at all levels. Five players: James Walsh Knocknagoshel; Philip O’Connor, Cordal; Thomas Hickey, Castleisland Desmonds; Eamon Kiely and Adam Barry from Brosna have all helped Kerry junior footballers win the All-Ireland championship in 2015 – while Philip and Thomas were part of the Kerry senior panel. We’d like to wish Philip O’Connor well in his first start with the Kerry seniors tonight in the league opener against Dublin in Croke Park,” said Mr. Brosnan.
Club secretary and 1987 senior county championship medal winner, Jack O Connell feels that this year’s senior county football championship should be more competitive and exciting than ever.
No Stone Unturned
“With a reduction in the number of teams taking part and a new format in place everyone involved with St. Kieran’s are really looking forward to the challenge and leaving no stone unturned to progress all our teams to the latter stages of the championships,” said Mr. O’Connell.
“Again this year many cyclists will be sporting the unique Divanes Castleisland / St. Kieran’s Cycling Jersey sponsored by S.Divane & Sons, Castleisland, Main Volkswagen dealer for Kerry since 1954. We’re delighted that Divanes have joined forces with us to support our club and to promote cycling as a healthy pastime,” said Jackie Brosnan.
Refreshments will be available at the start and finish of the event at Desmond’s GAA Club grounds. There will also be a food/drink stop at Currow chuch square en-route.
The event will be stewarded by club members in conjunction Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Group and the event will have garda backup at key locations. A closed circuit communications system will be in place on the day and will be supervised by Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Group personnel. This will monitor and co-ordinate all stewarding.
The Tour will also be accompanied by a trained paramedic motorcyclist and a fully equipped Civil Defence ambulance and two trained personnel on the day.
Help and Support
We would like to thank the An Garda Siochána; local Civil Defence organization and Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Group for their help and support.
The tour route will take in all seven ‘Saint Kieran’s parishes’ and these include: Castleisland, Ballymacelligott; Currow; Scartaglin; Cordal; Brosna and Knocknagoshel.
There will be a choice of two routes. A ‘Short Route’ of 45kms for leisure/novice cyclists and a more challenging ‘Long Route’ of 80kms for experienced cyclists. All details will be available on the revamped St. Kieran’s GAA Club website.
The Short Route
Both short and long routes will start at Desmond’s GAA grounds at 10am.
The short route will travel through Castleisland town to Ballycarthy Cross and left onto the old Farranfore road and onto the N22. Left in Farranfore village for Currow, right at Currow Church – where there will be a ‘Food Stop’ then left at Dromulton Cross, straight on at Davy Roche’s Cross, left at Breahig Cross on the Cordal road, right at traffic lights in Castleisland and finish at Desmond’s GAA Club.
The Long Route
The Long Route will travel through Castleisland town onto Ballycarthy Cross, left onto the old Farranfore Road and onto the N22. Left in Farranfore Village for Currow, right at Currow Church don’t forget the Food Stop. Then left at Dromulton Cross, straight on at Davy Roche’s Cross, left at Breahig Cross on the Cordal Road and right at ‘Hickey’s Grotto’ on the Cordal road. Then take a right at Kearney’s Cross onto the Brosna Road, left at Brosna Village Cross, left at ‘Patsy’s Cross, right at Feale’s Bridge, left at Kilconlea Cross onto N21, left at the Mick Galwey Roundabout (a former St. Kieran’s stalwart) and finish at Desmond’s GAA Club grounds. So! Get on your Bike for a fun day out for all ages.
