Connect with us

Sport

Bolger battles on the streets of Belgium

Published

3 years ago

on

Sam Bolger - in the familiar green jersey of Killarney Cycling Club - taking part in a Belgian Kermesse street race. Photo: Martine Varfaille.

by Seán Moriarty

Rising Killarney cycling star Sam Bolger spent much of the summer on the pro-cycling scene in Belgium.

Earlier this year the 18-year-old was selected as one of four riders for the Belgian Project – one of the most prestigious stepping stones for Irish riders with ambitions to turn professional.

Over the last 15 years Northern Ireland-based Belgian Danny Blondell selects between four and six Irish riders and sends them to Belgium where they stay with local families and contest pro and semi-pro races.

Bolger was selected for the Belgian Project while racing the Junior Tour of Ireland with the Munster team in July. He then travelled to Austria with the Munster squad to race in a three-day event before making his own way to Belgium by train.

The Lewis Road man spent three weeks living with a Belgian cycling family in the village of Moorslede in Flanders. In that part of the world cycling is bigger than the GAA in Kerry.

“On my first day, I went with the family to watch a pro-race,” Bolger told the Killarney Advertiser. “There were 40,000 people lining the streets. In Belgium the locals use these events as social occasions and go out and meet their friends.”

This criterium race in Roeselare – on a Tuesday evening – attracted entries from Tour de France stars like Tom Pidcock and Green Jersey winner Wout Van Aert.

During his three weeks there Bolger contested seven races – known locally as Kermesse – each with over 100 junior starters that ran over three or four laps of a town centre course.

“A Kermesse is a short circuit through a town or village which must include a pub and a church,” he added.

“It is all part of the social scene – always loads of people out watching. Even the pro races have bookies on site.”

Races are run over much narrower roads than Irish events. It took a bit of getting used to as any rider trapped in the bunch would find it very hard to get back to the front of the pack.

“Irish races are run on main roads. Any trouble and you just go over to the wrong side of the road and power your way back to the front. There is no wrong side in Belgium, either the road is too narrow or it’s lined with people.”

The road racing season has now closed in Ireland. Bolger’s last outing was the Charleville Two-Day in Cork a few weeks ago where he placed sixth overall in amongst senior riders. He moves to off-road Cyclocross for the winter season.

Sam paid tribute to Killarney Cycling Club and his teammates for all of the support and encouragement throughout the year.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

News

LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy. 

  He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your career, was there ever a player or manager you idolised? […]

Published

4 hours ago

on

5 February 2026

By

 

He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager.

Here’s how it went:

When you began your career, was there ever a player or manager you idolised?

‘When I started my career, not really, I was 18 with Celtic and you know a lot of good players were there. Henrik Larsson was one. It was more important for me to get to that level and stay at that level, and it was a great experience’.

Tell me how it felt to play for Ireland while Mick McCarthy was manager.

‘It was very good. I began working with him in the Irish camp, and then when I joined Sunderland he would have been the manager there. So he’s been fantastic’.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of?

‘I’m just proud as always that I had a long career, a lot of injuries aswell, so probably getting back from those injuries. Along with playing for Cork City and playing internationally for Ireland which is always a good thing’.

When you went into managing, was there ever a manager or manager’s style you idolised?

‘Well we had a few, obviously Martin O’Neil at Celtic, and of course he’s still coaching today. Martin was a very good man and a very good manager. So I’d probably say Martin’.

Describe to me what it felt like to represent your country at an international level.

‘Yea, it was probably the proudest day and one of the biggest achievements’.

This will be your first full season with Kerry, what would you like to being to the club?

‘We recruited well, we still look to bring in more players, but listen i just want to get us as far as we can and get higher up the table and improve on last year’.

What do you believe is Kerry’s strongest capability?

‘We’re still in pre-season so we got some good goals, there’s still some stuff we can improve on, but its still early doors for us. Obviously we got new players, and they need the type of time as the players that are here. So overall it was good to get into the next round (of the Munster Senior Cup), but as I say, we can always be better’.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

Published

3 months ago

on

7 November 2025

By

Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1)

Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell

Saturday 7.30pm

Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

The St Paul’s women’s team will be hoping to get their National Cup adventure off the ground on Saturday when they welcome 2024 champions Brunell to Killarney. Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is at 7.30pm.

Paul’s have displayed some fine early season form, although their unbeaten start in the Super League came to an abrupt end last weekend when they lost to the Trinity Meteors in Dublin. James Fleming’s side weren’t at their best on the day but they were well in contention heading into the final quarter with the scores at 47-45 in favour of the hosts. The Meteors pushed on in the fourth, however, eventually running out 63-53 winners.

St Paul’s scorers on the night were Maisie Burnham (13), Tara Cousins (12), Lorraine Scanlon (12), Lovisa Hevinder (9), Denise Dunlea (5) and Leah McMahon (2).

The Killarney club are now joint second in the table alongside the Meteors with both teams holding a 4-1 record. Killester are top having won each of their first five games.

Paul’s opponents on Saturday, Brunell, have won three out of five league matches so far.

LAKERS

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers have now won three of their last four games in Division 1 of the Men’s National League following an impressive home victory over Moycullen in Killarney.

Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan made significant contributions of the Boys in Black; Carroll hit 17 points and collected 13 rebounds while O’Sullivan had 14 points, 12 rebounds and some spectacular blocks.

Steve Kelly posted 30 points and the durable Sam Grant played every second, adding 21 points along the way.

The Lakers started well before the visitors found their footing and the sides went in level at the half-time break after scores by home captain Carroll. There was still nothing to separate the teams entering the fourth quarter (68-65) but buckets by Carroll, Pablo Murcia and Grant opened up a nine-point lead. Moycullen fought back admirably, however, cutting the deficit to just four, but Luke O’Hea’s charges held firm to prevail by eight (88-80).

Next up is a cup tie against the Tipperary Talons, a side they defeated by 30 points just a couple of weeks ago. The cup can be very different to the league, though, and they will need another solid performance to advance to the next round. Tip-off in in Killenaule is at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Attachments

Continue Reading