Sean Hurley remembered as Benat Fernandez celebrates world title in Cork

Supersport 300 World Champion motorcyclist Benat Fernandez received a Céad míle fáilte from members of his Cork based Team #109, set-up to honour Sean Hurley, who lost his life in a road accident in 2011.

Supersport 300 World Champion motorcyclist Benat Fernandez (pictured with his FIM Gold Medal) on his arrival at Cork Airport where he was greeted by members of Team 109 ahead of weekend in Cork to meet dignitaries and sponsors. Also pictured are (left to right): Denis Buckley, MMD Construction, Scott Tobin, Carol Tobin, Paul Tobin, Imanol Fernandez (Benat's father), Mairead Hurley, Dave Hurley, Alan O'Connor and Mick Heakly. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Supersport 300 World Champion motorcyclist Benat Fernandez received a Céad míle fáilte from members of his Cork based Team #109 on his arrival at Cork Airport Friday afternoon ahead of a whistle stop tour of Cork, Dungarvan and Dublin before his return to the Basque country on Monday afternoon next.

A welcoming party at Cork Airport that included team members and sponsors gave the Spanish teenager, complete with his World Championship Trophy and his FIM Gold Medal, a hero's welcome. Team principal Paul Tobin from Carrigaline said, "It's not every day that we get to celebrate World Champions in Cork. It's nice for Benat and indeed his dad, Iamnol to see where the team originated."

Team #109 was set-up to honour Sean Hurley, who lost his life in a road accident in 2011. Indeed, Friday  is a poignant day as Sean's parents Mairead and Dave Hurley, very much an integral part of Team#109, told the Irish Examiner. "This day fourteen years ago, I had my last conversation with Sean when he came in from work. We discussed some life goals that subsequently became known as Sean's bucket list. Today, we celebrate the success of Team #109 (Sean's own racing number) and Benat Fernandez in becoming Supersport 300 World Champion. We are delighted to welcome him and his dad Iamnol to Cork to celebrate that success".

Supersport 300 World Champion motorcyclist Benat Fernandez (pictured with the Irish tricolour and his FIM Gold Medal) on his arrival at Cork Airport where he was greeted by members of Team 109 ahead of a weekend in Cork to meet dignitaries and sponsors. Also pictured are (back, left to right): Mairead Hurley, Paul Tobin, Carol Tobin, Imanol Fernandez (Benat's father), Mick Healy and Dave Hurley. Front (left to right): Kevin Fennessy, MMD Construction, Scott Tobin, Alan O'Connor and Denis Buckley, MMD Construction. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Benat and the group headed to City Hall for a civic reception hosted by Lord Mayor, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, who welcomed Benat and held a very special meeting with the Spaniard and #Team 109 in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

Later, they will visit Team 109's sponsors, MMD Construction at their premises in the Airport Business Park before heading to Kinsale Hotel & Spa (another sponsor) where the team will be based for the weekend. Benat will be given a tour of the city on Saturday, a trip to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton and the evening will conclude with a celebratory dinner courtesy of the Kinsale Hotel & Spa.

Further sightseeing is on the itinerary on Sunday including a visit to West Cork, meeting other sponsors. On Monday, a visit to Dave Barry Plastics in Dungarvan and to VTL Transport in Dublin is scheduled before his flight from Dublin back to Spain. Paul Tobin added, "It's a busy few days for Benat but we will try to make it a great one and show him as much of Ireland as possible, as he has helped to put our team and indeed Ireland on the global motorsport map in 2025 with our World Championship win."