AGM & Kevin Dolan steps down

Kevin Dolan sponsored by the original Superquinn store in 1968

Cuchualinn Cycling Club recently held their AGM online and a productive meeting was had, with attendance well up on previous years. The meeting was presided over by acting Chairman Francis Laverty, who on the night was formally nominated and elected as club chairman. A Donegal native, Francis took over the role last year and despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the pandemic, he and his fellow committee members did an excellent job steering the club. Such was the upset caused by the pandemic to the cycling calendar in 2020 and the ongoing restrictions into 2021 it was decided not to charge club fees for the current year. A decision that was warmly greeted by the members. Additionally tentative plans were discussed to help support the growth of the sport in the town by providing facilities for younger people looking to become involved. This is an area the club is keen to grow, as one of the consequences of the restrictions has been an explosion in the number of young people on bikes.

 
The various club offices gave their reports, however all were considerably shorter than usual due to the absolute scarcity of events in the previous 12months. Children's Safeguarding Officer Philip Kerley did make a special presentation to Kevin Dolan, whom after 56 years involved in the club was steeping down. Kevin has been on both sides of the table having started racing with the club in 1964. His road and track racing career was incredibly successful, which saw him win 27 senior national medals, alongside numerous race wins, including two editions of the prestigious Tour of Ulster. He also rode in Ireland's premier cycling event The Rás on 6 occasions, including being a member of the first Irish National Team in 1968. He also raced internationally on the track in the green jersey in 1969 in  the Fete do l`Humanité event held in Paris.
 
Following his retirement from racing Kevin was involved with the club firstly as a coach and later on the committee. He brought many a cyclists to races throughout the country and well as managing teams in the 6 day Junior Tour of Ireland and The Rás. Always helping out at the club's annual events he also directed the innovative Tain Team Tour, before going on to organise leisure trips around Ireland and abroad. In 2010 he even found the time to write a book chronicling the history of cycling in the town and county. His sure to still be seen at many a cycling event in the future as following the exploits of his own children on the bike, his Grandchildren having now shown an aptitude for the sport.