'He was born with the gift of kindness': Cyclists to visit all 22 Longford GAA clubs in big 'Cycle for Alan' fundraiser

A fundraiser in memory of the late Alan O’Hara, from Edgeworthstown that was launched on Wednesday, September 28 has already amassed €10,862 (as of Sunday, October 19) and is less than €140 short of the €11,000 target.

'Cycle for Alan' takes place on bank holiday Monday, October 27 and the GoFundMe page set up in conjunction with the event, and administered by Raymond Hussey, chairperson of Mostrim GAA club, is going towards the Irish Cancer Society.

'Cycle for Alan' will see a group of friends and family cycle to every GAA Club in the county (22 in total), which will see them cycle over 200 kms.

Raymond Hussey, organiser of the event, who was Mostrim manager in 2021 when the team got to the county final and Alan was playing Number 7 in the half back line, gave some words about what Alan meant to everyone:

“After we lost Alan to a short battle with some form of cancer, a few of his friends decided to set up a go-fund me page for the Irish Cancer Society to try and help find a cure for this terrible disease that has been the heartache for so many people worldwide.

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“Alan's death left a numbness in the town of Edgeworthstown and the parish of Mostrim and the surrounding area like nothing before.

“Apart from being born with the gift of athleticism (Gaelic, Hurling, Soccer, Cycling and Tennis )just to name a few, he was born with the gift of kindness and he poured it out in buckets in everything he helped out with, indoor hurling with the kids, took the minor boys team, loved his time in the manor studying horticulture as he was a keen gardener.

"He was a great son to his parents John and Mary, a loving partner to his girlfriend Aerial, the perfect brother to his sisters Aisling, Rebecca, Rachel, Alison and the best uncle ever to his 5 nieces.”

A lover of cycling, Raymond added that shortly before Alan passed, he cycled to Drumlish to meet his partner for a coffee on her lunch break and then cycled home.

“We hope each club will help us achieve this goal by having a representative of their club stand out with the number 7 jersey in their club colours,” concluded Raymond.

Paddy Cullen, Chairperson of Mostrim GAA added: “2025 has been a tough year for Mostrim Club on and off the pitch, Relegated for the first time in over 50 years, but losing a man so young, so loved puts sport into perspective, an unimaginable loss to his family.

"But the community is not one to sit back, we have two things going on at the minute in memory of Alan O 'Hara.”

He then spoke of how the idea for the fundraiser came about.

“Alan was doing a horticulture course in the Manor in Edgeworthstown and the staff and student donated funds to get a specially designed raining top for the minor team which Alan was training - the O Hara family saw the design and wanted to purchase tops for themselves and then it exploded - over 300 jersey were purchased in memory of Alan with a specially designed logo.

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"The tops were supplied and people who see them want more, then Ray Hussey made contact and during the conversation he suggested the Cycle as a fundraiser.

"Once the idea was put out, again the community if Edgeworthstown, did not fail to help. I wish Ray and all the participants all the best, for this great cause.”

Anyone who would like to donate can do so by logging on to the GoFundMe page HERE