Those attending the Anthony O’Carroll Fundraiser in Ballyduff over the weekend could have easily thought they ended up in the Isle of Man during TT Race fortnight.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-anthony-his-parents-on-his-road-to-recovery
The village became the centre of the motorcycle racing world for a special weekend-long event to support local motorcycle racer, Anthony O’Carroll.
From Friday to Sunday, the community came me together for a celebration of racing and camaraderie, all while raising funds to aid O’Carroll’s recovery.
The event featured appearances from some of Ireland’s most renowned motorcycle racers.
Motorcycle racing commentator Jim Halligan held a captivating Questions and Answers forum with racing stars on Saturday in the event’s marquee
Several road racing stars like Miko Sweene, Eoin O Siochru and Derek Shiels were making their first public appearance since the Manx Grand Prix and enthralled the sizeable audience with their stores from the second biggest motorbike race on the island.
“It is great to see so many people here to support Anthony,” said Shiels. “It is fantastic what motorcycle people can do and everyone who organised this deserves a round of an applause. The motorcycle people came together from all over the country – this is what the sport is all about.”
Mondello Park frontrunners added to the star-studded lineup that totalled 16 of Ireland’s best road and short circuit racers.
They included Masters Superbike class leader Kevin Keyes and up-and-coming local racer Alex O’Grady.
Local racers Andrew Murphy and Stephen Walsh shared their Manx Grand Prix experiences, while Tralee’s Emmet O’Grady, spoke about his chances of lifting the Superbike and Supersport class titles at Mondello Park this weekend.
Former Irish National Road Racing champion and multiple race winner Paul Gartland, one of the sport’s great characters entertained the crowd with his quick with and funny one-liners.
However, he too knew the importance of the occasion.
“What happened here this weekend was amazing,” he said “We are all heartbroken, we are a family and we think of Anthony’s family too. Never mind the money that was raised this event must have their raised their spirits, to think there was so much support here for Anthony.”
To further enhance the weekend’s atmosphere, a stunning display of over 30 racing bikes was exhibited at the Community Hall in the village. Taking centre stage were the two bikes that O’Carroll used in the 2023 Manx Grand Prix. Now with new owners the bikes were returned to O’Carroll’s race livery for the weekend.
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