Cleary karting for Our Lady’s

FORMER Tipperary All-Ireland winning hurler Michael Cleary will pedal a go-kart through Tipperary later this week to raise funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin.

Cleary and Robert Quinlan will pedal two BERG pedal go-karts on an 80km trip through the Premier County.

The journey will commence from Gladstone Street, Clonmel on Friday at 10am and proceed via Cahir and Cashel to Thurles, arriving at around 4pm.

On Saturday the journey will commence in Roscrea at 10.30am and go via Toomevara and Moneygall, arriving in Pearse Street, Nenagh at about 2pm.

Tipperary’s All-Ireland winning captain Eoin Kelly, will see the riders off in Clonmel and 2010 Hurler of the Year, Lar Corbett will pedal into Thurles.

Waving the starter’s flag on Saturday in Roscrea will be Munster and Irish International rugby player Denis Leamy.

Helping the riders on the final leg into Nenagh will be Tipperary camogie star Deirdre Hughes along with Munster and Ireland rugby player Donnacha Ryan.

On the trip Michael Cleary will pedal a BERG X-plorer XT3 valued at €799 and Robert Quinlan will be on a BERG Extra Sport BF3 valued at €699, both of which will be raffled at the end of the event.

Cleary was inspired by 51 year-old Brazilian Jose Gerardo who set out from Paris on a BERG X-plorer XT3 in May, 2008 and arrived in Johannesburg in June, 2010 for the World Cup, travelling 17,000km raising money for the Sight First initiative.