Hurling legend gets in gear for Kelly charity cycle

HURLING star Dan Shanahan switched sports yesterday to help officially launch this year’s Sean Kelly Tour which aims to raise a sizeable fund for Down Syndrome Ireland.

The fifth year of the tour takes place next month and will see cyclists of varying abilities compete across three different routes in the countryside and towns of Waterford.

As part of the An Post Cycle Series, details of the event on Sunday, August 28 were announced yesterday at Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains.

Funds raised will go to support a wide range of vital national and local services provided by Down Syndrome Ireland, this year’s chosen charity.

Routes include the rigours of the 160km Kelly Comeragh Challenge, the 90km Kelly Coast and the “Family Friendly” 50km Kelly Cruise. For the second year running the main event will be preceded on Saturday, August 27 by the 10K “Ten Family Fun Cycle”.

Down Syndrome Ireland chief executive, Pat Clarke, said they were honoured to be chosen as this year’s beneficiary. “We are reliant on fundraising and donations to support our work. I encourage anyone with an interest in cycling to take part in this fantastic tour.”

Former hurler of the year Dan Shanahan, ambassador for the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford, said the event had established itself as one of the biggest of its kind on the Irish cycling calendar. “This year we hope to see yet another record entry, possibly even surpassing last year’s total of 4,400 cyclists,” he said.

The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford came about in 2007 because of the desire of the people of Waterford to pay tribute to the name of Sean Kelly in a manner befitting his legendary cycling status, and also because of the former world cycling number one’s willingness to lend his name to an event which would benefit his own area and his own people.

* For further information and registration find the Sean Kelly Tour on Facebook or log on to theseankellytour.com