SUPPORT: Killarney Cycling Club is encouraging locals to support business that help local clubs. Pictured l-r were: Paul Sherry (Chamber President), Marcus Treacy, Mark Murphy ( Killarney Cycling Club Chairman). Photo: Michelle Crean

By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Cycling Club is encouraging locals to support business that help local clubs after signing a three-year sponsorship deal with 12 local firms. Earlier this week the club announced a coalition of 12 sponsors that have come on board to support Kerry cycling over the next three years.

This latest sponsorship deal is part of the constantly evolving process by the club. Killarney Cycling Club was initially set up in the 1980s and focused on competitive road-cycling. It then played a key role in the development of the various mountain-biking disciplines in Ireland. The expanding section leisure – the single biggest section of the club – has further diversified the club’s membership and increased awareness of the club within the region.

“Now in the middle of the pandemic crisis, the agreement of 12 businesses to continue sponsoring the club for three years from 2021 to 2023 is an endorsement of our standing and we, in turn, must reciprocate by re-doubling our efforts to continue developing the club on the one hand, and by supporting local businesses on the other,” said Club Chairman Mark Murphy.

“We know that multinational corporations which deal in online trading would not have sponsored us. We also know that, directly or indirectly, we are all part of the bigger club which is the wider Killarney region and it must be our priority to make this sustainable in every respect, from sporting to business and jobs.”

The club’s sponsors for 2021-23 include Killarney Waste Disposal which is the main sponsor, plus 12 additional supporters: Ahern’s Garage Castleisland; Aqua Design, Killorglin; Autopoint Motor Group, Tralee; the Big Little Bike Shop, Killarney; Kayne’s Bar and Bistro; Killarney Coffee Roasters; Killarney Credit Union; Leane’s Kitchen’s and Bedrooms; REC-Renewable Energy Centre; the Ross Hotel, and the Killarney Park Hotel.