TP’s trike a ‘lifeline’ in Covid times

For famed former long distance runner T.P. ‘Thomas Patrick’ Callaghan (82), lockdown posed a significant challenge.

Like many others, Covid scuppered what few outlets T.P. enjoyed with friends and acquaintances, such as playing cards or attending bingo.

Despite being forced to cocoon for safety, T.P.’s love of the outdoors is something which could not be contained.

During the 1950s and 1960s, T.P. was a hugely popular long distance runner, racing both cross country and road races throughout Ireland. He even represented his country at European level.

While his speed diminished with passing years, his grá to be out-and-about remained at full pelt, leading him to invest in a tricycle with onboard electrical motor.

On it, T.P. can cycle anywhere up to seven miles at a time on the country roads close to his Tierworker home. The motor is particularly helpful when it comes to navigating, and over-coming, the undulating drumlin countryside.

“I can sit on the bike the whole time and I don’t need get off it. I’ve a motor on it now and it goes over the way, any hills, no problem,” boasts T.P. of his tricycle, which he imported from England around three years ago.

It took a bit of learning to “get going”, notes T.P.. A few falls did little to put a determined T.P. off from trying again however.

“They’re not just your usual bike. It takes some getting used too,” offers T.P., who’d recommend the contraption to anyone living in similar circumstances and looking for a social outlet while still abiding by health restrictions.

What’s all the more remarkable is that a little over two-decades before, T.P. suffered a stroke, losing power to much of the left side of his body. He’s back to “about 75 per cent” his former self, and he says the tricycle more than “makes up” for the remainder.

The dad-of-seven and granddad to nine can be met happily waving to neighbours as he passes by, with the battery onboard having “enough juice” to get him to Bailieborough town and back if he so desires.

“I often went eight or nine, maybe even 10 kilometres on it when the weather was good. I charge the battery after every spin. I used to do two spins on it every day. Three or four kilometres in the morning time and few more before evening.”

With winter setting in and the cloud of Covid still overhead, T.P.’s journey’s are less frequent and more confined.

“I get out as much as I can, on a good day, maybe not a bad day. I was always an outdoor person and this gets me out. It keeps me fit as well as, as I suppose I can be at my age and way now. I have several routes I do,” adds T.P., who turns 83 next March.

T.P. still fondly reflects on his illustrious running career, which saw him crowed first winner of the Cavan Cross Country Cup in 1963.

At that time T.P. was a legend in athletics, winning national and provincial titles - both Ulster and Leinster titles. It scored him countless accolades and a legion of fans, also serving as inspiration for a young crop of runners who would emerge from the local scene in the successive years.

“I was in The Anglo-Celt a few times. I won everything, and a couple of All Irelands in that as well,” adds T.P., who enjoyed competing.

His father too was an accomplished athlete, a cyclist in his time, while members of T.P.’s own family are also involved in sport.

“Keep the head down and try hard,” is T.P.’s simple advice. “I was reared in hard times, back in the ’40s. When I was at school we’d run a lot and I’d be faster than the others. Anybody can run, but you have to want to win, and win that bit more than everyone else around you to be better. That was all in the ’60s when I was running at my best. There were a lot of very talented runners around that time. It was good fun, we all enjoyed it, the competition and the giving of our all.”