By Frank Greally
I received sad tidings with the news on day 10 of my Walk on Gratitude Road- Dublin To Ballyhaunis.
The news of the passing of the highly talented athlete Ciarán Ó Lionáird at age 38 brought shock and deep sadness as I remembered how Ciarán graced a cover of Irish Runner in 2013 following on from his bronze medal success in the European Indoor championships
Cathal Dennehy wrote a brilliant profile of Ciaran in that issue and today I have read a beautiful tribute by Cathal to his dear friend and fellow athlete in the Irish Examiner.
It’s especially poignant when you hear of an Irish person dying far from home. Ciarán’s passing in a hotel room in Montreal is stark and lonely.
It was always a joy to meet Ciarán – he had a huge personality- a gifted runner and a lovely young man I will remember him on these last two days of my walk- a few quiet prayers on the road Home to Ballyhaunis will be said and we will have a candle lighting in Ciarán’s memory at the Remembrance Run 5k in the Phoenix Park in November.