Truck being reversed from Tullamore to Kilcormac as novel club fundraiser

Everyone connected to Kilcormac Killoughey GAA Club is naturally looking forward to the All-Ireland final on St Patrick’s Day, and the parade postponed until March 24 as a result. However supporters also have something to look forward to this weekend - a novel club fundraiser that will see a 45 foot long articulated lorry and trailer reversed all the way from Tullamore to Kilcormac.

The brainchild of Palfinger’s Seamus Kane and Justin Mahon, the wacky feat rests in the hands of trucker Aidan Conneely. Starting at The Bridge Centre in Tullamore at 10am on Saturday morning, a band of about 40 Kilcormac Killoughey volunteers will get the party that’s set to include music and dancing started.

After partying in the town centre until 11.30am the real business will begin and the truck, complete with 126 signs sponsored by local businesses on board, will be reversed until it reaches Tesco in Cloncollig at approximately 12.30pm. After stopping for another 90 minutes or so it’ll be back on the road in order to reach The Blueball Pub at 3.30pm for more music, dancing and even a barbecue.

Leaving there at 5.30pm, organisers are hoping to reach Kilcormac at approximately 6.15pm. Once there, the trailer that has been kindly sponsored by Donal Rigney of The Hire Depot will remain in place at Kilcormac GAA Centre until March 24.

Describing this weekend’s fundraiser organiser Seamus said the effort will be worth it. “It’ll be tough enough, but it’ll be very eye-catching,” he said. Ahead of the event he also expressed thanks to everyone who has helped bring the idea to fruition, including the committee of Kilcormac Killoughey GAA Club and its camogie club members too.

All funds raised as a result of this weekend’s event will go towards developing Kilcormac Killoughey GAA into the future.