Patrick Kelly: Charity cycle offers a chance to celebrate Kieran O'Connor’s life

Tomorrow 25 cyclists, consisting of family, Aghada clubmates and friends, will be accompanied by some Cork teammates as they embark on a 165km trek titled “Mizen to Ballin 4 Kieran”

Friends of Kieran O'Connor at the launch of this weekend's Mizen to Ballin charity cycle

Kieran O'Connor sadly passed away on July 15 last year after enduring an incredibly difficult ordeal battling Ewing’s sarcoma. His passing was a tragic loss to his wife Sinéad, his three kids Isabelle, Ava, and James, his wider family, friends, and his beloved Aghada GAA Club.

For those of us who were lucky to share a Cork dressing room and become friends with Kieran, the loss was also heart-breaking. A year has elapsed and the pangs of sadness when Kieran comes to mind are still felt on a regular basis. The first of the All-Ireland winning team of 2010 to pass away, far sooner than any of us could have imagined.