Limerick boy, 14, powers his way to Great Limerick Run finish line on trike

“AS we passed over Sarsfield Bridge all the spectators were cheering me on, calling out my name. It gave me a boost of energy as I turned the corner at Debenhams. I got sight of the finish line and went for it.”

These are the words of  Sean Byrnes, 14, who completed his fifth Regeneron Great Limerick Run on Sunday.

A native of Caherconreafy, Pallasgreen, Sean completed the 10k in one hour, two minutes  and 52 seconds on his hand trike with his mum Fiona at his side.

It’s the latest in a list of great achievements by the young student who only last week made the news when he was selected as a winner in the inaugural Garda National Youth Awards in the Special Achievements category.

Sean, who is a student at Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. He has no use of his lower limbs and powered his way to the finish line by his hands on his specially adapted trike, shaving eight minutes off last year’s time of one hour and 11 minutes.  

Sean’s hand trike was donated to him by Deirdre McDonagh, senior physiotherapist in the Central Remedial Clinic, Clontarf, Dublin, five years ago and it has been “a lifeline” ever since.

“My trike has enabled me to get out on the road meet the neighbours for a chat, help me with my fitness and overall wellbeing,” said Sean who is a member of Midwest Spinabifida and Hydrocephalus Association, Limerick.

Sean’s vision is to start Limerick’s first Hand Trike Club to share and pass on the positive experience he has had in the past five years. Sean wants to encourage, and inspire others with disabilities and challenges them to get up and try something new, be adventurous and have fun.

Each trike costs €1,500 to €2,000. Sean’s aim is to purchase five hand trikes to get the club up in motion.

To donate visit here  

Sean’s parents Fiona and John said that from an early age Sean always had the “can do attitude” and was always up for a challenge.

“Sean has a gentle and caring side, with an outgoing personality and enjoys attending social events. Our sincere thanks to Suzy Kennedy and all the team from Great Limerick Run for all their support over the past five years. A special thanks to Miss Casey, principal and Mr Corcoran, vice principal for nominating him for the regional Garda Youth Awards, Limerick back in November 2018,” the couple said.

To see more of Sean in action log onto his YouTube channel (Sean Byrnes ATAP) https://youtu.be/wUXE55HDRcE