Tarbert Welcomes Rugby Legends Cycle
Earlier today, the Rugby Legends cycle set up camp in Tarbert National School for a short visit with all the staff and pupils. Many parents and numerous locals made their way to the school to welcome the cyclists as they made their way from Tralee via Ballyduff , Tarbert and then onto Clare to Lahinch through Kilrush and Kilkee.
The cycle is in its 6th year and is raising funds for Cross Charity and Cancer research at Trinity College Dublin and St James’s Hospital. The legends that made their way to the school and spoke to the students were former New Zealand Number 8 Zinzan Brooke and Liam Toland who played professional rugby with Leinster and Munster.
Also among the travelling party for this leg of the trip were Tarbert men Michael Kelly and Colm Brennan who are both past students of Tarbert National School. Both men have fond memories of the school.
The staff and pupils put on a marvellous show with the pupils singing Ireland’s Call, the Fields Of Athenry and also performing the Haka in Irish , they also gave Zinzan a taste of Irish dancing and he responded by performing the Haka with some very willing help from a number of the other cyclists who stopped off with him and Liam Toland.
They have around 80 cyclists with them for this leg of the trip and that will rise to over 100 by the time they roll into Galway at around 4.30pm where they will have a night hosted by the Radisson Blu Galway.
The tour director is Michael Boyle , the CEO of Uniphar who sponsor the cycle is Ger Rabbette , other legends on tour are Paddy Johns , Niall Woods both capped by Ireland , Paul Wallace who was also capped by Ireland 45 times and Neil Back who played for Leicester Tigers and England and is most probably remembered in these parts for the now infamous “ Hand Of Back “. We forgive you at this stage Neil!!
A special mention as well to Leonie Kelly who made this stop possible, to Mrs Heaphy and all her staff well done for organising a fantastic stop off for the cyclists. A memorable moment happened as Mrs Heaphy was hoisted up in the air by Liam and Zinzan in a line out , a photo for the mantle piece at home Mrs Heaphy…..
There was a great turn out at this event and it again showed Tarbert up in a great light, well done to all involved….
By
Cian Mc Gibney
06/09/2017