Laurels Crew have raised €1.3m for various charities

NO MAN left behind as the Laurels Crew celebrated the 15th year of the annual Galway to Dublin cycle in style.

A cyclist took a wrong turn in the Maynooth /Leixlip area as the crew were making their way home on Sunday.

The group rallied to ensure he was found, and after a bit of drama, everyone made it back to the Laurels in Clondalkin Village for a well deserved drink and a bite to eat.

“He was really worried that he might miss the last stage, it would have been so sad after 215kms he could have missed the last 5km,” said relieved crew member Derek Cummins, a friend of the “fugitive” cyclist.

“He had disappeared in the green triangle along the Royal Canal.

“However the whole Laurels Cycle Crew really just wanted to find this fugitive and bring him home, with calls, motorbikes, Damien Long (Laurels manager), we all searched and shortly later our friend came into Lucan’s Pennyhill a little bit shaken.

“The Laurels Cycle Crew team said we are all coming home together.

“I think this is one of the real reasons why Clondalkin Laurels Crew is special.

“Togetherness is a key difference when it really matters,” said Derek.

The two-day event (April 26-28) raised funds for Tallaght University Hospital Foundation, to support the Aging Well Centre in Clondalkin village.

Established in 2009 by Laurels manager Damien Long and head barman Denis McCarthy, the Laurels Crew has raised over €1.3m for various charities in that time, including Our Lady’s Childrens Hospital, Ciaran Carr Foundation, Headway and Ronald McDonald House.

This year’s cycle featured approximately 100 cyclists including a support team. Day one covered 127km to Tullamore from the Connaught Hotel in Galway, and day two covered 91km from Tullamore to The Laurels in Clondalkin.

Derek continued: “The elite warrior cyclists of Damien Long and 14 others including Graham Brown (15 years there since the start), cycled all the way from Clondalkin to Galway, 222km, but in fairness they were only warming up.

“No bus or train for them.”

Derek had another special mention for Shane O Donnell, who cycled in the first event in 2009 and made a comeback this year.

“Shane’s story really does capture the essence of what these events are about and thankfully people just come back and make an impact,” said Derek.

“So, 15 years of making it happen.

“We believe in what we are doing and will do it all again because we truly love it.

“Hopefully we will all see you all in 2025 and beyond.”