Seamus O’Hanlon with his bike
Former Louth GAA player and selector Seamus O’Hanlon is to take part in a three day charity cycle next month in aid of cancer research.
The ex Clan na Gael midfielder will cycle from Blackrock to Liscannor in Co Clare from September 3rd to 5th. He is currently fundraising for the trip with all proceeds raised going towards the Irish Cancer Society and North Louth Hospice.
So far he has raised over €2,000 and you can get involved by sponsoring him here.
Sean Dixon recently dyed his hair blue but will have it shaved off in the Lisdoo on Sunday
The Dundalk Shave or Dye 2014 event will take place this Sunday night at 9pm in the Lisdoo Arms.
On the night at least 10 locals will have their heads shaved having recently dyed it, as part of the Today FM Shave or Dye campaign, which fundraises for cancer research.
Those set to have their heads shaved on the night include: Ian Phelan, Martin Murphy, Derek Malone, Donal Byrne, Shane Browne, Stephen Hoey, Martin Gill, Darren Taaffe, Sean Dixon and John Thornton.
Many others have also taken part in the national event in recent weeks and all support for their cause is welcomed.
Sheikh Samir Mirdad
A Co Louth-based sheikh is one of many people hoping to raise tens of thousands of euro for charity at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Sheikh Samir Mirdad, who resides in Annagassan, is an advisor to senior royal family members in the Gulf and an accomplished show jumper.
The 45-year-old has swapped his jacket for silks though to rise the Willie Mullins-trained Ballylongford in the Cancer Research fundraising St Patrick’s Derby on Thursday.
The sheikh revealed his determined streak as after training in Dubai, he then travelled to Mullins’s yard in Carlow to get some tips from jockey Ruby Walsh.
Sheikh Samir aims to raise €50,000 and will be fundraising in memory of his grandmother, Aasha, who died of breast cancer.
His wife Lynda Pollock Mirdad is also recovering from breast cancer at present.
“I’m not going to take a picture; I’m a competitive person, it’s in my nature and in everything I do. I’m going to try and give it a go,” he said.
He also revealed his time in Carlow had proven worthwhile.
“They got the fear out of me of speed; when those horses are going fast it is scary.
“I’m more confident now,” he said.
A native of Saudi Arabia, the Sheikh’s love affair with Annagassan started by accident when his good friend Dermott Lennon, a former show-jumping World Champion, helped him select a few horses from Annagassan.
He had been told about a location at Dunany and rang Tom Ridgeway from the CastleHorses in Dillonstown by mistake. He became good friends with Tom and his wife Patricia and when a nearby farm came on the market, he couldn’t believe his luck and purchased it.
Talk of the Town 