New routes for 13th Gallant Challenge

The 13th annual Gallant Challenge run takes place in Cornafean today (Saturday), October 29, in aid of St Christopher’s Hospice in Cavan Town, writes Ultan Sherry.

In a change to the normal route, there are now two different routes for people of different abilities, of 5km and 10km. These distances can respectively be walked, jogged or run.
There is also no fixed entry fee this year. People can instead come along to take part or watch on the day and donate whatever they can to the cause. Registration starts at 12 noon and the run commences at 1pm. Full details are on 'The Gallant Challenge’ Facebook page.
“It’s starting at McSeain’s Bar and the first man back gets the Oliver Brennan Cup and the first woman back gets the Mary Comiskey Cup, and everyone that comes back to Cornafean will be presented with a medal and there will be refreshments for everybody involved on the day,” Ciaran Weir of the organising committee told the Anglo Celt this week.
Oliver Brennan and Mary Comiskey were patients at St Christopher’s Hospice and sadly died a number of years ago. In their memories, the Brennan and Comiskey families each donated a cup for the annual run, a noble way to honour people they loved.
Both families were impressed with the care that their loved ones received there. Ciaran Weir was likewise when he first saw the high quality care that patients receive in the Hospice, which in turn inspired him to start the walk and run.
There’s plenty of other entertainment on the day along with the run. “We have a few special guests coming but they’ve yet to be finalised. There’ll also be a bit of music and a bit of craic and refreshments as well,” Ciaran commented.
A lot of effort has went into organising this run, and Ciaran paid tribute to all those who have helped in any way for this year’s run and runs over the years. “I’d like to thank our main sponsors, McManus Pharmacy Cavan, O’Neill’s Pub and Shop in Redhills and Smith’s catering in Ballyconnell.
“I’d also like to sincerely thank those who have been involved for the last 13 years, including my sideman William Hughes, who has been a great help to me over the last 12 years. He’s never let me down and anytime I ask him to do anything, he has always been involved,” Ciaran told the Celt.
Some might wonder also, where did the annual run get its name from? “It’s called the 'Gallant Challenge’ after the great Cavan and Cornafean footballer, the 'Gallant’ John Joe O’Reilly,” Ciaran explained.
John Joe O’Reilly achieved great things on the football field by captaining Cavan to two All-Ireland football titles in 1947 and 1948.
In the same way, the 'Gallant Challenge’ team and the community of Cornafean have achieved great things in the last 12 years, raising over €342,000 for the Hospice in that space of time. This is no doubt a gallant achievement in itself.