A Dhaoine Uaisle

Tá an-áthas orm a bheith anseo libh inniu chun an mhór-ócáid trí-atlain seo, atá á heagrú ag Cumann Rámhaíochta Shadhbh, a sheoladh. Bliain is fiche ó shin is ea a bunaíodh Cumann Rámhaíochta Shadhbh. Ó shin, tá borradh suntasach tagtha ar a bhallraíocht, agus tá éirithe thar cionn leis i gcomórtais.

Is ar an bhfichidiú lá de Mheitheamh a bheidh an trí-atlan ar siúl. Beidh idir shnámh, rothaíocht agus reathaíocht ann. Is mór an éacht é ag an gcumann ócáid oifigiúil dá leithéid seo a eagrú agus ba mhaith liom gach duine atá páirteach ann a mholadh go hard. Tá a fhios agam go n-éireoidh thar barr leis.

I am very pleased to be here with you today to launch this major Triathlon event organised by Sive Rowing club. A triathlon is a demanding course for top athletes where fitness and stamina are put to the test. As we know it involves swimming, cycling and running over a demanding course. This exciting event will take place on 20th June with 300 participants and will no doubt draw a large following. And hopefully it will become an annual event for Cahersiveen.

It is a great achievement for the club to put an official event such as this in place and I would like to sincerely commend everybody involved. I know it will be a great success. It will add to the sporting and social calendar and no doubt will have a positive impact on the economy of the town and surrounding area. Quality events such as this add value to what we offer and will attract more visitors to an area that is very dependent on visitor numbers.

This shows how a committed community organisation such as Sive Rowing club can work and plan strategically to create something for the wider community, their members and sporting enthusiasts from all over the country. It is great to hear that already you have 300 participants committed to the triathlon from virtually every county in the country as well as participants from Cambridge in England.

This event is sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland the governing body for Triathlons and related events in Ireland and it will of course be run to the highest standards and safety regulations. Clearly the organisers are to be commended for the professional way they approached this event and it augurs well for the future.

At high tide on the 20th of June crowds will gather here to witness an exciting spectacle. It starts with a 750 metre swim between the marina and the pier. Then a 20 kilometre cycle which leaves Cahersiveen pier for the White strand and then Cuascrome and the Deelis circuit and back to the pier again. This is followed by a 5 kilometre run which leaves the pier and heads for Barr na Sráide and back to the pier again. It will be a demanding event that will be exciting to watch.

I would like to compliment the organising committee on this achievement - Padraig O’Shea chairman of the club, Kathleen Mc Carthy Secretary, Josephine Mc Gill PRO and Rosaleen Sheehan and Eileen Mc Carthy. The club organising committee was strengthened by the contribution of specialist experience in the three key areas, Leo Mc Carthy cycling, Lorcan Murphy running and Frank O Leary swimming.

Sive Rowing club was formed twenty one years ago and it has significantly grown its membership and has had major success in competitions over the years. I recall being here with you two years ago to formally open your new clubhouse. At that time I was Minister with responsibility for Sport and I was very pleased to approve grant aid for your club totalling €95,400. I was delighted that I was in a position to recognise the real commitment that was evident here in Sive Rowing Club.

Much has been achieved for sporting organisations in Kerry and I was glad to have been involved in that important building of sporting infrastructure.
I believe that the nurturing of sport in the community is vital. Keeping the young and the not so young involved in active pursuits is no small achievement. That is why the work of this club is so important in improving fitness levels and developing sporting talent here in Cahersiveen and the surrounding areas.

Sport has come to occupy an increasingly significant place in modern life worldwide. Aside from the obvious benefits in promoting health and fitness, it also has a growing commercial, social and economic significance. Furthermore, good sports facilities make an area more vibrant to live in. These facilities would not exist were it not for the commitment and dedication of those voluntary workers who have devoted themselves to sport.

Like all sports organisations in Ireland, Sive Rowing Club relies heavily on the contribution of such volunteers. I know that Mike Twentyman, Michael Murphy and Padraig O Shea are very involved in training and coaching here. Coaches and mentors make a great contribution to a club.

Sive Rowing club has had some fantastic successes in recent years. Your success in the Irish Coastal Rowing championships last year was stunning. You brought 10 crews from under 14 s to veterans all the way to Antrim and you won 9 sets of medals and just narrowly missed the tenth by a couple of seconds. That was some achievement and we are all very proud of your success. No doubt you won’t rest on your oars for too long and more honours await you.

In conclusion, as I formally launch the Triathlon that will take place here on the 20th June, I want to sincerely congratulate everybody involved in this new initiative and wish you well for the future.

Thank You