McNally
Swords CC
Launch of Programme 2003 27th March 2003
Press Statement
A large gathering of cyclists from North County
Dublin, members of their families and friends, together
with representatives of the local community assembled in
the Swords Manor Pub on Thursday 27th March for the
launch of the 2003 Programme for the McNally Swords
Cycling Club.
The Honorary President of the Club, resplendent in his
Presidential Green Blazer with its unique crest, opened
the proceedings in his usual inimitable style. Songster,
storyteller, raconteur, he treated the crowd present with
many humorous anecdotes while welcoming his many loyal
followers and admirers to the evening's programme.
The Launch is always a much anticipated occasion when the
Chairperson of the club outlines to the Club Members and
all present the programme for the coming year and pays
tribute to the Club's generous sponsors, Breda and Joe
McNally of McNally Joinery.
Before the Chairperson spoke, Michael Kennedy,
Cathaoirleach of Fingal County Council addressed the
gathering, commending them not only for their
achievements and endeavours on behalf of Swords Cycling
Club, but also for their commitment and plans for the
youth of Swords and surrounding area in the months and
years ahead.
In recent years one cannot but help note the fashion and
grandeur of the apparel worn on the evening by those
present. This may well be due to the fact that for the
most of the year these men and women meet when dressed in
their colourful and resplendent cycling outfits supplied
by McNally Joinery, so when they shed these cycling
outfits to meet on other occasions they are anxious to
show off what is beneath to the very best advantage!
One need look no further in this regard than at the very
popular Chairperson of the Club, Sean Lally. Sean is one
of Ireland\rquote s most famous cyclists, still cycling
fast and furious at the notable age of 76, even though he
only looks 65!. Sean was the most sartorially elegant
amongst the men, wearing a stream lined black dress suit,
complete with old style collar-less shirt bequeathed to
him, he tells us, by his great-grand father. And of
course the women were not to be out-done. When one
glanced (not so fleetingly) at Sean's wife Pauline, and
the other representatives of feminine pulchritude such as
Tess and Betty Markham, Breda McNally, Louise Stafford,
Valerie Coonagh and Karen Rock it was difficult to avert
one's eye(s) from backless and strap-less dresses, mini-skirts
revealing tanned and well-toned thighs, slender ankles in
elegant high heeled shoes, and plunging necklines adorned
with more jewellery than you would see on a tinker's pony
at the Galway Races!
Once Sean opened his mouth there was an instant silence
as all present listened to his dulcet Dub lin tones waft
through the pub as he announced with glee the many
ambitious projects for the coming year. Among these were
the Gorey Three Day Stage Race at Gorey, a gruelling
encounter for all ambitious enough to tackle it, when
much will be expected of Gearoid Loughlane and the
betting will be on Keith Daly for the Junior Event.
On Tuesday 6th May the Kathleen O'Sullivan Memorial Race
will take place when a large turn out is expected to take
part in this event, which is a tribute to the memory of
Kathleen, whose kind disposition and generous nature
permeated the club for so many years.
Then there is the McNally Swords Tour for the Club\rquote
s own members and their many friends throughout the
country which departs from Fingallian's Football Club at
9.00 a.m.. Ken Brennan is the inspiration behind this
event and it is he that arranges all tours for the club.
He told us that night that there will be two distances
cycled on this tour 80 miles for the fit, the challenged,
and the ambitious which Ken himself will lead, and the 50
mile for those less ambitious or more realistic of their
inabilities - Tommy Markham will encourage this group to
wait for him and go at a more leisurely pace, taking in
the breathtaking scenery of North County Dublin and its
'Royal' neighbour, County Meath.
Sean Lally, before he concluded his scintillating and
humourus address asked us to give every encouragement to
Keith Daly when he would be participating in the Junior
Tour of Ireland in August\par And of course there is the
Club's Annual League which commences on 16th April , the
most successful and sought after league in the Irish
Cycling Calendar, embracing cyclists of all ages and
abilities.
Sean concluded his address by reminding all present that
although the season is only 1 month old, 9 of our members
have already won in open races in the Leinster Circuit,
including Vets, Junior and Under Age Cyclists. He than
paid fulsome tribute to the Club Sponsors, Joe and Breda
McNally for their ongoing generous sponsorship of the
club, and invited Joe to end the formal proceedings. Joe
them spoke ,splendidly attired in a Beige Sportscoat,
matching waist-coat, and Dicky-Bow, and paid tribute to
all members for their achievements. He said he was
pleased to see so many of our members on a regular basis
wear the club colours with pride, and it is a source of
great pride to him and Breda that Swords Cycling Club
continues to enjoy such prestige among cyclists and among
all sectors of the community in Swords and Fingal. \par
\par With the formalities ov er, the chat, stories, song,
and recitations commenced, and vocal cords were well
oiled with a combination of wine and other palatable
beverages. Incidentally there is no truth in the rumour
that a Mr. K.B. and T.M. were last seen off the premises
to the accompaniment of the Dawn Chorus.
Terry Quinlan, Press Officer,
07/04/03
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