GAELIC GAMES/RACE THE RÁS CHARITY RIDE:NEXT SUNDAY, as Leitrim begin their championship season in Sligo, the only man alive to have captained the county to a Connacht title will embark on a challenge of his own.

Declan Darcy lifted the Nestor Cup in 1994 before going on to finish his career with Dublin, where he was born and raised.

His early football was played in Leitrim, because at weekends he had got used to accompanying his father back to Aughawillan, which was Frank Darcy’s club.

The impetus for the Race the Rás project came from physiotherapist Éamonn Ó Muircheartaigh. Cyclists, including a number of very well known former inter-county stars such as Seán Ó hAilpín, Ollie Canning, Dan Shanahan and John Maughan will raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and Goal.

They will set out every morning on the same stage as the actual Rás, a couple of hours ahead of the competitors.

“Eamonn came up with the idea and rang around a few ex-GAA players. At the time my sister Sinéad was very ill, and I agreed on the spur of the moment. Three of us – myself, Éamonn and Paul Earley (riding in memory of his late brother Dermot) – are doing the whole eight days.

“It was strange, but so many of the guys contacted had their own story to tell about cancer and how it was an issue for someone that they knew.”

In Darcy’s case, the link was painfully close. Sinéad, a mother of three young children, had been diagnosed with skin cancer and battled the illness before passing away last month at the age of 39.

He hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer.

Cycling wasn’t a life-long hobby for him but he has become an enthusiast.

“I had cycled to school but that was about it. It kind of coincided with my mid-life crisis, which isn’t unusual among players whose career is finished. I saw where Alan Quinlan (former Munster rugby player) was talking about the void it leaves and trying to fill it.

“For me, cycling caught my imagination. It keeps me fit and it’s socially great for meeting people.”

Darcy’s playing days have been followed by a distinguished coaching career. He’s been a member of management in both of Dublin’s only under-21 All-Irelands, in 2003 and last year.

“I’ve been involved with the Dublin under-21s and in and out of various management and coaching roles in St Brigid’s. I’ve no great ambitions as an inter-county manager but I think it’s important to pass on what you can to younger players.

“I suppose my main focus and strength is in giving guidance to developing players, physically and mentally, and I get a kick out of seeing them coming through.”

Although he hasn’t been involved with Leitrim for 15 years he maintains an interest and hopes for the best on Sunday.

“I keep an eye on it and how the old club, Aughawillan, are doing. I’ve been to a couple of games and inevitably you compare it to when you were playing.

“We had a fantastic group of players, but football comes in cycles. Cork and Kerry have short cycles, but in Leitrim it will take longer to get back to that sort of level.

“Still, it won’t be a surprise to me if they beat Sligo.”

TO support the nominated charities, the Irish Cancer Society and Goal, visit racetheras.com/donate.