The death has taken place of well-known Cork cyclist Gerry Rea (far left). In the picture he is part of the Cork team for the 1957 Rás Tailteann alongside Willie O'Brien (suited), Pat Hickey, Tom Scanlon, Dick Barry and Don Noonan. Gerry was 19 years of age in this Rás and would have worn the yellow jersey after a stage into Clonakilty but for the bonus that was awarded to the stage winner.
By Brian Canty
The Irish cycling community is today mourning the sad passing of well-known Cork cyclist, Gerry Rea.
From Bishopstown in the city, Gerry died in the early hours of this morning after suffering a heart-attack last night.
He was taken to hospital in the city but never recovered.
Gerry had suffered ill-health in recent years as a result of being knocked down while out training in 2011.
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The injuries he sustained in the crash brought to an end his 50-year cycling career.
Prior to that he rarely went consecutive days without riding his bike; a record begun in his teenage years.
He even raced into his 70s with St Finbarr's CC and the Cork Triathlon Club.
He was a tremendous rider in his day and rode the Rás Tailteann in 1957 as a fresh-faced teenager.
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And true to his attacking style, he almost took the yellow jersey in the race after a stage into Clonakilty but for the bonus that was awarded to the stage winner.
He finished fourth in the now defunct Tour of Ireland, an incredible achievement at the time.
He was also a national grass track champion over two kilometres.
Indeed, his sprint was one of his real talents and he won many a race with his vicious kick – something those who knew him will attest he had right up until he stopped cycling.
Aside from being a talented rider, he was a very generous person and organised many fundraising events for those less fortunate.
Usually, such events involved the bike and as recently as 2008 at the age of 70 years he rode from Cork to Dublin and back in one day to raise funds for an Irish charity based in Lesotho.
The charity had been co-founded by his niece, Collette O’Sullivan.
Details of Gerry's funeral were not known at the time of writing but we will bring them to you when we have them.
From all of us at stickybottle we extend our deepest sympathies to Gerry's wife Eileen, his two sons John and Gerry Jnr and three daughters Martina, Jaki and Caroline.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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