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Marathon Sponsored Walk 2010
Having delayed the walk from 10 July till 24 July due to bad weather, things didn’t start too well with dark skies and drizzle as the walkers meet to get the LUAS to the starting point, nervous jokes and some good auld slagging about what lay ahead was the order of the day. Unfortunately due to the date change and other commitments 2 of our intrepid band could not make it .
So it was on to Tallaght Stadium, the home of the ‘Hoops’ Shamrock Rovers FC, having played in Israel on Thursday and setting up a huge Europa League third qualifying round clash against the mighty Italians Juventus, you could feel the buzz that was to come around the Stadium, that said it also meant there was no one available to meet the walkers and so after a few pics (taken by Peter Gill the Drums Junior/Intermediate Club Secretary who came out to see us off) outside we set off to the UCD Bowl.
Now making tracks the 7.5 miles ahead through unfamiliar areas (for Me anyway) seemed to fly by and as we turned into UCD it was all feeling too easy, feet fine, legs feeling good and the sun staring to peak its head trough the now thining clouds - this was all too easy. We were meet by the UDC AFC PRO Philip Bourke, and made feel welcome by UCD Manager Martin Russell, there was a match going on as we got our pictures taken. UCD, A Championship v Bray Wanderers (UCD were losing 2 nil, but came back to draw 2-2 so we brought them some luck). Our Chairperson Frank Connolly was quick to get his picture taken with Martin Russell, well it’s not everyday you meet an ex-professional (Man U, Boro, Leicester City - the list goes on) player, so fair dues.
Back on the road Greg O’Brien was the man who knew all the quickest ways around the city and 5 or so miles later we are standing outside Richmond Park, Paul O'Brien opened the Stadium of St Patrick's Athletic F.C. up especially for us so we could take some photos, and after a quick pit stop for some and a quick change of socks for me, we are back outside, where Peter Gill is making sure we are not cutting any corners. A debate starts about which way to go, with Eddie Grace, Colm Brennan and the bould Troy Donohue out front it seems to make no difference as we are following the leader and where they go we follow, pains are starting to appear and the rain hits as we get back to the Northside. Again a match is going on as we get to Dalymount Park, (a great 2-1 win for the 'Gypsies' Bohemian F.C. against Aston Villa) so a few pics outside and we are on our way to Santry.
The sun was now back and the hottest all day. Tommy Duggan wants to stop for food but the Dubs are staring at 5pm and the GAA supporters amongst us want to keep going, so over ruled we are hitting the road again (this is staring to hurt but at least I know where we are going). It’s uphill from Tolka River to Morton Stadium, home of Sporting Fingal, and it feels it. As we cross Collins Avenue the pains and strains are effecting us all (bar Troy who seems to be getting stronger) and Kevin ‘Choppers” Chapman buys Tommy a nice ice cream to kill the pain. It seems to work and we hit the stadium and take our pics and another debate about stopping for a pit stop in a pub for the Dubs and then finishing the walk or going on. A quick call to Tolka Park, the bar is open so we push on till the end. I am on autopilot now just putting one sore blistered foot in front of the other, down hill or up hill it makes no difference. The front runners are out of sight now, but we plough on. This is not going to be a hare and the tortoise story, they have made it to the bar a good 15 minutes ahead of the rest of us but after the first pint and a quick shower we all feel a great sence of achievement .
Done and dusted, some of us with sunburn, the Dubs winning in the background, the manager of Tolka Park Bar, Murt Daly (a nice pub with even nicer prices, you can contact Murt on 083 3350947) buying the grub and a pint. A good day had by all. Never again my body says, but never say never.
A big thanks to Rovers, UCD, Pats, Bohs, Sporting Fingal and a special thanks to the staff at Tolka Park.
Mark Dawson
Anybody wishing to sponsor us should contact:
secretary@drumcondrafc.ie
or Club Chairperson Frank Connolly: 086 8331909
or Club PRO Eddie Grace: 086 2723526
We would like to thank everyone for all the support we have received already, especially all those who gave their time and money in getting sponsorship.
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