Leitrim supporters in the Big Apple gather for grand finale of 50 Mile Challenge

On Saturday morning hordes of Leitrim supporters in the Big Apple will be heading to Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers for the grand finale of the 50 Mile Challenge.

Judging from the facility with which these loyal supporters have embraced the task, a challenge is perhaps a misnomer. Now with unseasonably warm winter weather, coupled the typical timing of the annual New Year fitness resolutions, Leitrim folks have been eagerly cranking out the miles on the hills and trails in the tri-state area.

Of course these mission-driven folks are easy to distinguish from other fitness enthusiasts meandering around the parks, courtesy of their very distinctively bright-colored yellow caps.

The motto seems to be, whatever it takes to get the miles in, whether by hook or crook. Albert and Mary Clarke, the Gortletteragh/Aughavas couple will have no bother reaching the target, whether it is with sneakers or pedals. The duo can be regularly observed doing Lance Armstrong manoeuvres on their new bikes, reported to be Christmas gifts from Santa.

Pat Reynolds, a Ballinaglera native, one of the organizers of the challenge, has a surplus of mileage, as he has been factoring in distances covered on the golf course. Definitely a case of killing two birds with the one stone, or proximity to the Cavan border maybe influencing his calculations, definitely a topic for discussion by more esoteric minds.

The Leitrim Ladies football team, fresh and emboldened from winning their first New York championship have also embraced the call to support their counter-parts on the other side of the Big Pond. Word is that Noeleen (Donnelly) O’Neill, who played for Leitrim in the first ladies game in New York thirty years ago will lead off the Leitrim supporters.

Incidentally she will also be guest of honour at the ladies victorious dinner dance in a few weeks, plus her daughter Ciara O’Neill is also named as “Player of the Year”. That’s certainly a unique and nice mother/daughter combo.

It’s not unusual to see three generations, at the starting line, such as the Redicans, Sean and Carmel, daughter Sharon, Chair Leitrim Ladies G.F.C. and grand-daughter Saoirse. I expect Margaret Taylor-Finucane, recently appointed president of the County Leitrim Society to lead a troupe of Society members as well as members of her extended clan. I think patriarch Joe should be given a few “mulligans”, due to his senior status, just like what he used to get from Pat Murray, when he organized the Joe McInerney Golf outing.

Noeleen and Seamus McGovern, fresh from their luxuriating cruise on the high seas, will be back on terra firma in Tibbetts Brook on Saturday too. I’m sure a wee drop in the temperature won’t bother the Aughnasheelin boys as the Gormley brothers, Paddy and Tony, and Dessie McWeeney will be setting a brisk pace to get the job done. For Caitriona Clarke, sponsor of the Leitrim team with Seamus, it’s been all hands on deck as Seamus has been in Ireland, helping to care for his brother Sean. Well on Saturday, it will be all paws to the pavement, as Caitriona, will be accompanied by two of man’s best friends, Benji and Murphy.

Afterwards it will be back to JP Clarke’s on McLean Avenue for refreshments and refueling, high octane for the high performers and lower octane content for the gas-guzzlers, or whatever the manufacturer’s manual mandates. If you get to the starting line I’m sure you’ll find your way to JP Clarke’s, a home away from home for many Leitrim folk.

-Frank Brady