Youghal Cycling Club To Fundraise For Little Zoe’s Cancer Treatment. – By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB is to undertake a 165km fundraising ride on behalf of an 18 month old little girl with a rare cancer condition. Half twin Zoe Lehane Lavarde, from Mallow, suffers from  Atypicalteratoid/Rhabdoid Tumour AT/RT, an aggressive form of the disease. Her mum Orlaith is a first cousin of Tony Walsh, Tinnock, Youghal, who has organised the cycling event.

Zoe is currently in America, where she is receiving specialist treatment at the Burzynski centre in Houston, Texas.  She, her mum, dad Alex and twin brother Leo travelled to Houston last July, to provide Zoe with a much improved chance of survival.

Zoe’s condition was diagnosed earlier this year when her family noticed she was quieter than normal and also losing balance a little. She soon became very ill and was rushed to CUH. Doctors removed a tumour from her brain but the cancer remained.  The cancer form arises in either in the cerebellum (lower, back part of brain that controls balance) or cerebral cortex and often spreads through the central nervous system. Highly malignant, it is usually diagnosed in childhood.

Orlaith and Alex were told that Zoe’s conventional treatment in Ireland would involve strong chemotherapy and just a 10-30% chance of success. The family began researching options and discovered the pioneering Burzynski centre. They travelled to the city last July for a first assessment, after which Zoe was deemed suitable for treatment. “The doctors are pleased with the progress so far but there is still a long and uncertain road ahead,” says Tony.

As always in the US, the medical treatment, which may take up to 18 months, is extremely expensive and, alongside accommodation costs, could reach up to €700,000. The family hope that, eventually, Zoe may be able to continue her treatment in Holland if her condition improves to a stage where it would be viable to re-locate.

Website

The family have established a website www.mysisterzoe.com in Leo’s name where details of Zoe’s brave battle and the various fundraising events are posted. “The people of Mallow and indeed many other places have been extremely generous and supportive,” Tony says, “I want to thank most sincerely Ger Flanagan of the Youghal News and Youghal Cycling Club for their interest and their help in the campaign,” he adds.

Tony will be amongst about 20 cyclists expected to participate in September’s event. The journey will leave the Market Square at 9 am and visit Tallow, Fermoy, Mallow, Blarney, Ballincollig, Bishopstown, Cork city and Midleton before returning to Youghal.  Donations can be made through sponsorship cards, collection boxes on the day or through the following Ulster Bank account: A/c no: 10880255; sort code: 986070 International Details:IBAN:IE47ULSB98607010880255; IBAN BIC: ULSBIE2D

Visit: www.mysisterzoe.com

The Tour of Ireland (Irish: Turas na hÉireann, known from 1985 to 1992 as the Nissan Classic) is a bicycle stage race held in August. The first race debuted in 1953 and ran until 1957. It was revived in 1965 and ran until 1985. In 1985 the 5 day Nissan International Classic took over as the Tour of Ireland. This lasted for 8 years until 1992. The race returned in 2007 as the Tour of Ireland and is part of the UCI Europe Tour. The organisers confirmed on 1 June 2010 that the 2010 race would not take place due to a financial shortfall, but that they hope it will return in 2011.[1]

History
The Tour of Ireland was a cycling stage race that was run in Ireland between 1953 and 1984. It was organised originally by the Cumann Rothaíochta na hÉireann (CRE) which was later renamed the Federation of Irish Cyclists. In 1953 the Irish Government initiated An Tóstal, a cultural festival, and asked all Irish sporting bodies to participate. As part of this the CRE ran a four day Tour of Ireland. With sponsorship from An Tostal, Aspro and Hercules cycles, the event was known as the Tostal Tour and was a big success throughout most of the country, although it was said to have “had a hard time in the NCA heartlands of Kerry”[2] There is limited information about the race available on the internet and no book has been written about the event. The inaugural edition was a 4 day race won by Brian Haskell from John Perks and A Walker. Seamus Elliot who later won a stage and wear the maillot jaune in the 1963 Tour de France finished tenth overall. Briton Brian Robinson who also won a stage in the Tour de France finished fifth in this first edition.[3] According to Alf Buttler, an amateur cyclist during and after the second world war the leader’s jersey was purple[4] and the race continued but as a seven day race the following year, 1954, beginning on Thursday April 29. The 1954 race was covered by J B Wadley and photographer Bill Lovelace for The Bicycle magazine and a full report appeared in the 5th May issue. Bernard Pusey (England A team) won from Seamus Elliott (Ireland A team) and Tony Hoar (England B team). According to Bray Wheelers, an Irish cycling club from Bray, Wicklow, the event continued until 1957 when it stopped but was revived in 1965.[5] During the seventies the race was known as the Raleigh Dunlop Tour of Ireland.[6] The event continued to 1984. Winners during this period include Doug Dailey (1971, 1973), Liam Horner (1972), a double Olympian, Tony Lally (1974), a 1980 Olympian, Pat McQuaid (1975, 1976), current UCI President, Angel Arroyo (1977), runner up in 1983 Tour de France, John Shortt (1978) and Ron Hayman (1979) who was followed home by Phil Anderson, Stephen Roche and Robert Miller in 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

The Nissan International Classic was then organised from 1985 until 1992 which it appears took over from the Tour of Ireland. The Nissan Classic was referred to as the Tour of Ireland by the famous Irish cyclist Stephen Roche during the 1987 edition.[7

Info: wikipedia

Youghal Cycling Club always encourages new members both male and female of all ages. We know it can be a bit unnerving if you are new to cycling, joining a club cycle for the first time.

If you are already cycling but feel you could benefit from group cycling, we would like to hear from you. If you are looking for a fun and enjoyable way of getting fit and think road cycling could be for you, we would also like to hear from you!

With bodies(of all shapes) covered head to toe in lyrca and everthing that goes with it,this can be a strange world for the novice cyclist.

A bike of any kind(mountain, road racer,or Hybrid)and a tracksuit is all you need along with the desire to improve your fitness and have a bit of fun at the same time.Check out the training page to see the health benefits of regular cycling.

If you would like to talk to club Secretary Jonathan Tobin about any questions you might have regarding joining the group for a cycle he is only to willing to answer your queries and encourage you to your next step in joining the group for a cycle.

Jonathan can be contacted at 086-8563292 or email

YOUGHAL GAA Club and St Coleman’s Boxing Club come together for a worthy cause on the 18th of March at Club Aras at Magners Hill for a charity boxing night in aid of the Youghal Branch of St Vincent De Paul.

The Youghal Intermediate Footballers are very much part of the night and fitness trainer and Intermediate player Ken Dempsey said “It’s been a real pleasure training with the lads over the Winter months and to spice things up we had some boxing training in some of our sessions and after speaking to Kevin Walsh at St Coleman’s Boxing Club in Shanagarry we decided to have the night for this great cause and as the night draws closer, some of the lads are getting a little nervous now, but we are all looking forward to it and I hope we get a great crowd to support the St Vincent De Paul”.

The event was launched in Club Aras the home of Eochaill Cumann Lúthchleas Gael by Mayor of Youghal Town Council Mary Linehan Foley who praised both Youghal GAA Club and everyone else involved in the ‘Charity Boxing Night’ in a bid to raise funds for the St Vincent De Paul and said “The work that St Vincent De Paul do is fantastic and the money that goes in all goes straight back into the Youghal Community which is brilliant and I want to praise Youghal GAA, The Cara Ambulance Service, St Coleman’s Boxing Club and John Long Buses (Sponsors) for their great work for this very worthy cause”.

The doors open at 7pm on the 18th of March and on the bill in conjunction with St Coleman’s Boxing Club will be Pa O’Shea (World Military Silver Medallist) and James Murray (Waterford Senior Hurler) and Adam Curley All Ireland Champion, plus members of Youghal GAA and St Coleman’s Boxing Club in what should be a very entertaining night.

Dave Kilgannon the Chairman of Eochaill Cumann Lúthchleas said “We are delighted at Youghal GAA Club to have nights like these, because not only will it be a great night of boxing, but also because it is really for a great cause. Nights like these are very important to the Community and I along with many people have a huge amount of admiration for the work the St Vincent De Paul do and we are delighted to be able to host a night like this. We at Eochaill want to contribute all we can to the community of Youghal and as a club want to continue to be part of the fabric of the Town of Youghal”

So as the bell rings for round one on March the 18th the hope is that everyone will come along to support this very worthy fundraiser.

John Power President of the Youghal Branch of the St Vincent De Paul outlined the work that they were doing to help people in these difficult times and thanked all involved.

The night will be an official boxing night, with medical testing, official referee’s and timing.

Over 100 people deemed who brought honour to themselves, their families and their affiliated clubs or institutions had their successes honoured at Youghal Town Council’s inaugural Annual Achievement Awards last Saturday night (Feb 12th).
By Christy Parker / Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

The ceremony, at the Mall Arts Centre, marked a new direction from the local authority, aimed at limiting the allocation of civic receptions which had, rightly or wrongly, become seen by much of the public as a proliferate way of paying tribute to the town’s more noted achievers. Presumably, unique and incredibly high achievements (oh, say an Oscar award or an Olympic gold medal sort of thing…) will remain in contention for a full-blown civic reception.

Meanwhile last Saturday’s occasion recognised accomplishments throughout 2010 but will henceforth be held on a six monthly basis, with the next ceremony in June.

The honoured-to-be and, their families and friends mingled together over light refreshments in the centre’s reception area prior to convening in the upstairs auditorium at 8 p.m. In turn, each recipient was summoned to the stage by Mayor Mary Linehan Foley and Deputy Mayor Eoin Coyne, where every individual received a signed certificate recognising their success. Local man David Joyce was also on stage to assist the process, which took approximately 40 minutes.

The vast majority of awards recognised sporting successes, but this may –or may not -alter with increased public awareness. As the mayor explained, the system rotates simply on a nomination bases. “All that needs to be done is someone to nominate to the town council or an individual councillor whoever they consider worthy of an award and we’ll take it from there,” she tressed from the stage.

Recipients of the Annual Achievement Awards 2010 were as follows (details provided by organisers):

Cycling:

Team Youghal:

Cycled 1,350 miles in the 2009 and 2010 Race Around Ireland competitions for the Emer Casey Foundation, cycling non-stop in relay for over 100 hours. They team, who will also cycle over 3,00 miles in the Race Across America next June are Ger Flanagan, Tommy Roche, Christy McCarthy, Kieran Groeger, Eoin Whyte, Michael McCarthy, Brian Fitzgerald, John Twomey, Aonghus O’Broin, Peter Roche, Peter Cody, Jim Healy, Claude McCarthy, Ray Flanagan, Tom Fitzgerald, Robert Heffernan, John Hennessy and Maurice Flanagan.

Soccer:

Youghal United AFC: Set a new Guinness Book of Records 5-a-side record of 33 ½ hours in June 2010. The team are:Martin Coen, Christohpe Colin, Kevin Gallogley, Leon Geary, Peter Geary, Barry Goggin, Pierce Hennessy, Stuart Hickey, Anthony Kelly, David Kenneally, Gavin O’Leary, Aiden Ryan, Diarmuid Shuel, Finbarr Walsh, Sammy Revins, Dick Sheehan, Emmer Perry, Ken Dempsey, Jamie Lawton, Sally O’Sullivan, Brian Wade and T. Kennedy.

Boxing:

Adam Curley: Won All-Ireland, Munster and county titles, most recently the 48kg weight division.

Pa O’Shea, 21: Won a silver medal in the World Military Boxing Championship at Camp Lejune, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Iron Man:

Thomas Curran and Conor Coleman: The two Irish army corporals competed in the Iron Man marathon in Nice, France in 2010. This feat included a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and a 26 mile run, all of which the completed in 12 hrs and 50 mins.

Snooker:

Aaron Tobin, Kenny Wight and Lee Walsh: Contested the Home Nation Championships and represented Ireland in the Celtic Tournament in 2010.

Raquetball:

Cian McCarthy’s: Attained 3rd place in the All-Ireland and Munster Championships. Keith Gallogley contested in the Irish Open and Siobhán Downing and Ian Cronin were Munster Championships.

Athletics:

Lee Curley: U-15 pole vault star & County, Munster and All-Ireland champion.

Diarmuid Clancy: All-Ireland Gold u-12 in High Jump and broke Munster record.

Nikita Savage -Junior Indoor and Outdoor All-Ireland u-19 pole vault champion; also, 3rd in the Celtic Cup International tournament whilst representing Ireland.

Special Olympics:

Amanda Crotty: took gold in the International Paralympic games in Tunisia; also won two gold medals in the All-Ireland, 800 m and 1500 m.

Patrick Plante and Patricia Royanye excelled in the Munster Special Olympic golf competition, with silver and bronze medals.

Sandra Egan was also a basketball medal winner in the Munster Special Olympics.

GAA:

Bill Cooper and John Grace: Munster Intermediate hurling champions and All-Ireland finalists.

Youghal Camogie Club: County champions. .

Rugby:

Dave O’Callaghan and John Quill: both members of the Munster Full Academy. Dave won u-20 Six Nations Ireland and World Cup honours in Argentina.

Aaron Daly: Participated in Munster trials having played as a scrum half with Youghal, South Munster and Munster Youths teams.

Academia:

Lana Murphy, Amber Walsh and Kate Clerkin: exalted participation in the Millipore 2010, Scifest 2010 and BT Young Scientist 2010 science competitions.

Aisling Ní Cholmáin, Aisling Ní Shiochrú and Adam Dalton: Also excelled at the Millipore 2009, BT Young Scientist 2010 and World Expo. Technology 2010 science competitions.

Blathnaid Ní Chléirigh, Caoimhe Hynes, Megan Burke and Rihanna Cooney: brought honour to their town in their participation in the Scifest 2010 and BT Young Scientist 2010 science competitions.

The new format of honouring achievement was roundly supported on the night. Ireland under-15 pole vault champion Lee Curley endorsed it as a night that helps to facilitate recognition of sporting achievements amongst exponents of lesser known sports. Veteran snooker star Brendan Cooney was of similar mind, adding that the occasion brings together representatives of many community organisations under the one roof. “It’s great for minority sports,” he echoed and is “a fantastic idea.”

Click on image to start slideshow

Team Youghal passed the finish line last Saturday 18th September 2010 at 12:48 after 88 hrs 18 mins Cycling. All the cyclists and crew are home for some well earned rest. It was a magnificent experience for all involved and thanks to everyone who supported us. Thanks to everyone for the fantastic support over the past week. Well done to all.

The race around Ireland is far and away the toughest cycling endurance test in Europe and is the World’s second toughest endurance race and in Ireland the cyclists of Team Youghal will have to cover a distance of 1,350 miles travelling through all four Irish Provinces with many steep climbs and sharp descents along the way, from the starting point which began on Tuesday the 14th of September in Navan.
What makes this such a fantastic challenge is the constant flow of the race which runs 24 hours a day from start to finish, with no let up and that overwhelming desire not only to complete the race which is a huge challenge in itself, but to win it and defend  titles!

The race is part of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA) World Cup Series and the race is organised by the Navan Road Club and is sanctioned by Cycling Ireland.

Unlike other cycling races such as the RÁS or the Tour de France, the course is in no way roped off, there are no marshals controlling traffic flow, and there are no planned rest stops or stages in this event.

In terms of a sporting event, this really is up there with one of the toughest tests there is as the relay style strategy of  Team Youghal came into play over the four or five days of constant peddling.
There was a cyclist racing at all times, 24 hours a day, the team entered County Cork via Kerry on Thursday night last and make its way by Mizen Head, on through Schull, Bantry, Skibbereen, through the outskirts of Cork City where the team tackled St Patrick’s Hill and then make its way on to East Cork, through Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Castlemartyr, Killeagh and then through its home town of Youghal where there is one of many time stations.

When you consider that this part of the race is just Cork City and County it puts the 1,350 mile distance into perspective.

The Team Youghal cyclists cycled to raise funds and more importantly raise awareness for the Emer Casey Foundation. Team Youghal cyclists are: Ger Flanagan, Tommy Roche, Christy McCarthy, Brian Fitzgerald, Kieran Groeger, Eoin Whyte, Michael McCarthy and John Twomey.

The team won the inaugural Race Around Ireland eight man team category in 2009 and are back to defend their title this year and hope to improve on our time of 90 hours and 6 minutes.

Team Youghal cyclists Kieran Groeger thanked John Hennessy for the great work and to all our sponsors, the media crew, the drivers, Maurice with the gear wagon, Claude with the campervan, support crew and all the cyclists – for the friendship, support and great craic – in spite of the weather! Thanks to all who sent messages of support – every bit helps. Don’t forget the Emer Casey Foundation!

Clickn on image to start slideshow

The hype and carnival atmosphere of a true World Cup Cycling event will be brought to Navan over two evenings this week when the Race Around Ireland starts on Tuesday 15th September for solo riders and Wednesday 16th September for Teams. Photo: www.youghalonline.com – sport

A local outfit, Team Youghal, are on the starting line along with twelve others in the Team Category. The team comprise local cyclists Ger Flanagan, Tommy Roche, Christy McCarthy, Eoin  Whyte and Kieran Groeger . Team Youghal are supporting the Emer Casey Foundation through the cycle and sponsorship cards are available from any member of the Team. The team are backed up by a Crew of 10 and transport is supplied by Youghal KIA  with their new KIA SOUL

The event is being organised by local personal trainer Alan Heary and being promoted by Navan Road Club.  It is also being run in association with Meath Local Sports Partnership and the Ciaran Maree Cancer Research Fund.  The main sponsors for the event are the Ritz Carlton Hotel with other sponsors like Brookdale Partners and international supplement company ZipVit helping to fund the race.

The event is ranked as the second toughest ultra-endurance race in the World by the Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association.  Only the famous Race Across America is considered tougher. The Race Around Ireland team have been working for a full year to make this event a huge success and are looking forward to bring the start in Navan.

This is the first event of its kind in Ireland and it has attracted the top ultra distance riders in the World including the World Champion Caroline Van Den Bulk and current World Cup leader Fabio Biasiolo.  These champions won’t have it all their own way, however, in this 1350 mile time trial as Irish endurance record holder Joe Barr and local Navan rider Paul Nolan will be fighting for top positions on the podium.

Sky Sports will be on the starting line too, as presenter Graham Little is taking part in the 4 person team category.  The team’s performance will be filmed as part of a documentary, some of which will be shown on his new Sky Sports show “Sporting Ireland”.  The team category will also be highly contested with An Post hoping to take top honours.  The An Post team are also taking part in a ground breaking study by DCU (Dublin City University), which will have them followed by a van that can only be described as something you would see in a storm chaser movie.  Every heart beat, breath and pedal stroke will be recorded day and night and fed back to the van for analysis.

“The start of a race like this is something that everyone should be a part of.  We would love to see as many people come out to support the riders as possible.  It is our hope that the International riders will go home having been treated to the hospitality and craic that Ireland is famous for. Entertainment has been planned for the two evenings.  Navan Town Council has been fantastic and has given us the Civic Space for the start as well as financial help, which will ensure a carnival atmosphere that riders, crew and spectators alike will remember”.

Navan Lord Mayor Joe Reilly, will start the solo race on Tuesday evening at 8pm and the team event at 8pm on Wednesday.  The festivities will start at 6pm both evenings in the Civic Space, Kennedy Road, Navan.  Team cars will be parked during both days at the Civic Space and it will give everyone the opportunity to meet the riders and crew who will take on this very unique challenge.

During the race live updates of the progress of all riders will be found on the race website.  For more information check out www.racearoundireland.com

Click on image to enlarge

The Emer Casey Foundation – leading the fight against Ovarian Cancer

The Emer Casey Foundation is dedicated to providing funding to secure the best independent research to detect early signs of ovarian uterine cancer.  The foundation was established following Emer’s death in 2006 by her family and colleagues in Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors Dublin.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women and is often detected at an advanced stage of the disease resulting in a high mortality rate. This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not recognised immediately, the molecular pathology of the disease is poorly understood and sensitive screening tests are not currently available.

The Emer Casey Foundation now sponsors three Emer Casey Fellows who are pursuing PhD degrees in Ovarian Cancer Research within the Discovery Research Consortium.

A) They will look to develop methods to detect the disease in its early stages by using a novel Serum Antibody Profiling approach.  They have already identified potential signatures in the blood which will allow early detection of ovarian cancer.

B) They will also examine why Ovarian Cancer became resistant to Chemotherapy.  The Discovery Consortium is composed of researchers from several Irish and International Institutions dedicated to carrying out world class research in area of Ovarian and endometrial cancer.

The foundation relies on fundraising to provide this invaluable research. The Foundation is a registered charity and various individuals and societies continue to select it as a chosen charity for fundraising efforts and donations.

www.emercaseyfoundation.com
Charity number: chy 17505