THE BRACKER 100km
Billy Ryle, Chairman of Austin Stacks Hurling and Football Club, Tralee will walk 100km on Bracker O’Regan Road, Tralee from Friday 17th July to Sunday, 26th July.
The objective of the 100km walk to raise €25,000 for urgently needed repair and upgrading work at the Austin Stacks playing pitches in Connolly Park, Tralee. Like all GAA Clubs, Austin Stacks has suffered financially from the Covid-19 lockdown. The Bracker 100km is a worldwide online fundraiser to pay for a path behind the main pitch. The new path will prevent footfall damage on the pitches and will facilitate disability access to the far terrace in Connolly Park.
FUND RAISING
All donations, large or small, will be gratefully accepted through the online fundraiser. Links can be found at
https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-bracker-100km
THE ACTIVITY
Billy will walk 100km (100 laps of 1km) on Bracker O Regan Road over a ten-day period beginning on Friday 17th July and concluding on Sunday 26th July. He will walk two sessions per day on the path, beginning and ending at the Bracker Monument – a 6km walk beginning at 10am and a 4km walk beginning at 3pm. The walk is dedicated to the memory of Martin ‘Bracker’ O’Regan.
BRACKER O’REGAN ROAD
Martin Bracker O Regan was one of Austin Stacks and Kerry’s finest footballers, whose brilliance on the playing field was matched only by his good nature and humility. ‘Put me on the forty and build the team around me’ is the oft-quoted slogan attributed to one of the most charismatic characters of his era.
Martin won two All-Ireland senior football medals (1931, 1932), one All-Ireland junior football medal (1930), four County Championship senior football medals (1930, 1931, 1932 and 1936) and two County Championship senior hurling medals (1929, 1931).
Martin also had a keen interest in greyhound and horse racing and was a regular racegoer all his life.
Tralee Town Council generously acknowledged Martin’s outstanding contribution to the sporting life of Tralee and Kerry by naming the new link road in his honour. Martin Bracker O Regan was a perfect gentleman, a supreme sports man and a rare auld stock of the Rock. He has earned his right to immortality.
THE LAUNCH
The Bracker 100km fundraising walk will be launched at the Bracker Monument on Monday, 13th July at 7.30pm by Austin Stacks and Kerry football legend, Mikey Sheehy. Members of Martin Bracker O’Regan’s family will be guests at the launch. Fr. Padraig Walsh PP will bless the Bracker Monument and impart a general blessing to all present.
Click here to made any donation THANK YOU:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-bracker-100km