Life can be cruel, but certain people can make it special

I am married. I have two children, a boy and a girl, and I am 40-years-old. Anto Finnegan is married. He has two children, a boy and a girl, and he is 40-years-old.

When I stopped playing Gaelic football, I started cycling. When Anto Finnegan stopped playing Gaelic football, he started cycling. For my 40th birthday, I organised a bike ride (manically competitive race) and a party. It was my perfect day — competition, company and craic. I am already thinking about next year’s race.

Anto Finnegan can no longer ride his bike. Anto has lost the power of his left arm, and his right arm is going the same way. Anto has motor neurone disease. There is no cure and it is terminal.