This article is from page 29 of the 2008-09-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
A STUDENT from Spanish Point is set to embark on a massive cycle trip through the United States in two weeks time in an effort to raise much needed funds for charity.
Cathal Sexton, a sixth year stu- dent at the Ennistymon Vocational School, is one of six individuals to make-up Team Ireland which will be headed by Clare hurler Tony Griffin.
And, on Sunday October 5, he has organised a massive poker drive in an effort to help in his fundraising. The poker competition goes ahead in Miltown Malbay at the Player’s Club with a start time of 6.30pm and will be run by the county’s top poker or- ganiser, Michael Talty.
“We’re hoping to get upwards of 40 players from the West Clare area to come out and play,” says Cathal. “We’re also expecting some players from beyond the area to get involved as well. It’s all for a good cause and players of all levels are welcome.” Last year, Cathal raised in excess of €2,000 for the Tony Griffin Founda- tion, which provides funding to or- ganisations to help in the fight against and treatment of cancer. He decided to get involved with the foundation based on his strong interest in cy- cling. “I cycled the final leg of Tony’s
trip last summer,” he explains. “Basi- cally that went from Dublin to Ennis and I was the youngest of the cyclists on that trip. After that, Tony invited me to Austin, Texas to meet Lance Armstrong when he went over last October.”
Cathal will now return to Austin after he sets off on his epic cycle on October 14. The cycle begins in Halifax in the eastern side of Canada and will take in 4,300 kilometres across the great American continent before the group arrive in Texas two weeks later. The cycle is done in a re- lay format and every rider will sit in the saddle for six hours a day for the duration of the trip.
“Tt’s getting closer all the time so | eeetmolercansbeNbercamKOmexclmne. Coli em A 100t out a doubt it’s going to be tough, but I’ve been training hard for the past few months. Hopefully that will pay 0) 5
Aside from the upcoming poker drive, his school has also helped fun- draise with school events that have yielded €600 for the Tony Griffin Foundation. “That’s been a huge help. I also head out on the bike in the evening and cycle about looking for sponsorship from people around the area. Most of them have already heard of the foundation and they’re enthusiastic about it.”