A well-known and popular figure on the cycling scene, young Sean Sharkey very sadly passed away this time last year. But now around the first anniversary of his death he has been remembered in the US on the eve of the World Cyclocross Championships.
Irish international cyclocross rider Seán Nolan has posed with a photo of young Sean on his tricycle and paid tribute to him online as he prepares to go into battle himself in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this weekend in the U23 race at the Worlds.
"On the eve of the World Cyclocross Championships I would like to remember a fantastic young man gone too soon," Nolan said of young Sean (16), who had a number of disabilities.
"I will be thinking of Sean Sharkey during my race tomorrow at the world champs. Sending love to the Sharkey family and hoping Sean's memorial race goes well and is an enjoyable day for all."
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That race that Nolan referred to takes place on Sunday at the McCrystal cyclocross track in Jenkinstown, Co Louth. Funds raised during the day will go to the Maria Goretti Foundation; a respite centre for boys and girls with special needs and where young Sean spent a lot of his time.
Sean was aged 16 years when he passed last year and his parents Peter and Fiona and sister Aoibhínn are stalwarts of Stamullen Road Club. They are very well known on the domestic scene, especially in Leinster.
Sean had Down’s syndrome and autism as well as being non-verbal and blind in one eye. He loved going to the races, especially to support his sister and is really missed by all the members of the cycling community who knew him.
Last year, just after losing her brother, Aoibhínn cycled 200km in the month of February and raised a huge €12,500 for the Maria Goretti Centre in Lordship, Co Louth.
