RIP - Martin Finnegan

Abi

RIP Martin.

Motorcyclist killed in NI road race

Saturday, 3 May 2008 17:38

A motorcycle racer from Co Dublin died this afternoon in aa collision while taking part in a road race in the North.

27-year-old Martin Finnegan from Lusk crashed at the Tandragee 100 event in Co Armagh.


Three spectators were injured in the crash. A woman suffered head injures and was taken to hospital. Her condition is not thought to be life threatening. The other two, both men, suffered minor injuries.


AdvertisementMartin Finnegan was on the second lap of the Supersport 600cc race when he crashed off the circuit at the Marlacoo corner, close to Marlacoo Lake.


The married father of one had scored a spectacular victory in an earlier race at the popular annual meeting.


A former Manx Grand Prix winner, he had been racing since 1997 and this year was racing for the JMF Millsport Yahama team.


As news of his death spread through the motorcycling fraternity, tributes began to appear on his website. Shocked fans left message such as 'RIP Martin. Such a sad day for road racing' and 'RIP. A true legend'.


The meeting was abandoned after the accident.


Last year another rider died in a crash at the same event

The Black Oil

I was on the RTE website earlier before there was any name up - all it had was a suggestion he was from north county Dublin. Kind of knew it had to be him. I remember seeing him going around my road on a bike when I was younger. Think he was in the scouts for a bit too. Didn't know he was a parent, jesus.

RIP Martin.

Hopefully the people who were hurt will be alright.

Dizzyblonde

May he rest in peace.

Mark#1

May he rest in peace for sure but i hope some day his poor wife and daughter can get through this. Here's wishing them all the strenght in the world x

Sids Not

A great rider, genuine nice guy.
Sympathy to his family.

greatgoal

top man martin,may he rest in peace and sympathy to all his family.

Wishbone Ash

Martin, you are a legend. I'm sure you'll be up there roadracing in the skies. God bless.



From another Forum:

"Martin Finnegan begins his final journey home tomorrow Monday May 5th from Belfast. We in the Finn 45 Supporters Club have arranged to meet him and escort him home to Lusk. We want as many bikers as possible to assist us. Anybody interested can assemble in the Car Park of the Carrickdale Hotel north of Dundalk between 13:15h and 13:30h.
If you could spread the word, I would be truely grateful. Also if people out there can copy this notice to other forums it would be of great help"

sgarvan

RIP
Ar dheis de go raibh a hAnaim.

Wishbone Ash

Funeral tomorrow at 2pm in St Macullin's Church, Lusk with burial in adjoining cemetery.

dubmick

The escort he got home was very impressive and a nice touch.

Wishbone Ash

I was over in the house this evening - a very sad affair indeed.

Abi

Couldnt make it this eve, my dad went. hopefully I will tomorrow.

He had such a great sense of humour, very decent man. Huge loss for his family.

Irish Halo

Knew him and his brother Peter from scouts and when they were in the same primary school as me. Great family and he will be missed.

RIP.

linx

very sad day in lusk yesterday all or most shops in closed as a mark of respect

Quality

The escort was a tribute to him, very moving to watch.

Sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace.

Unshelved

From Shane Hegarty's blog in the Irish Times -
http://www.ireland.com/blogs/presenttense/2008/05/06/martin-finnegan/

Wishbone Ash

...and now Robert Dunlop! What a loss. I'm gutted! RIP Robert.

Abi

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...and now Robert Dunlop! What a loss. I'm gutted! RIP Robert.

Cannot believe it. RIP Robert.

Robert Dunlop dies after crash

Former motorcycle champion Robert Dunlop died last night following a crash during a practice race in Northern Ireland.

He was badly injured while preparing for the North West 200 race in Portrush, Co Antrim, yesterday afternoon while travelling at about 160mph along a fast section of the course.

The Antrim-born rider and former Isle of Man TT winner was the younger brother of Joey Dunlop, who died in a similar incident in Estonia eight years ago.

Dunlop was rushed to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, Co Derry, following the incident yesterday afternoon. He is understood to have died at about 10pm from serious chest injuries.

Another Northern rider, Darren Burns, was also injured in the incident. He suffered a suspected broken leg and concussion, but was said to be stable in hospital late last night.

Mervyn Whyte, clerk of the course at the Portrush North West 200, said the racing community was stunned by the news.