Cycle racing in Fermoy has been a popular sport since 1890. At that time a group of enthusiasts, known as The Vagabond Cycling Club, competed at sports meetings and road races in the nearby towns and villages.

The next group to become involved were Harry O’Sullivan and Jim O’Sullivan from Grange, Nicholas O’Connell from Clondulane, Peter Linehan, Harry Linehan, Mick Mawe from Coolagown and Ned Daly from Rathcormac.

 

In the period from 1915 to 1920, the outstanding rider was Jack Kenny from Kilworth. In 1930 Matt Linehan entered the arena and gave uplift to the sport. He won numerous track races all over Ireland including the One Mile Championship of Ireland in 1938. His death in a motor cycle accident in 1940, brought a brilliant career to an end.

 

Other riders at the time were Bill Beecher, Ned Daly, Michael O’Connor, Sonny Kenny and Paddy Morrissey.

In 1945 a club was formed in Grange under the leadership of Jerry Bermingham. Active members were Dick Fitzgerald, Paddy O’Brien, Pat O’Sullivan, Mark Cotter, Tom Kent, Bertie & Jack Moynihan, the O’Driscoll Brothers and Frank O’Sullivan. He won the 1955 Irish, 1947 Munster and 1947 County titles. He set new track records in 1962 for the 1000m and the ¼ mile. Other holders of Irish track titles were, Mick Twomey, John Hegarty, Rev. Peter Hegarty, Mick Moakley, Mick O’Connor and Mick Hegarty also won many track races. In 1964 Mick O’Connor won the Irish Youths Road Championship.

 

Other prominent riders were Tom Pratt, John Brislane, Paddy Jackson, Ray O’Sullivan, Tom Burke, John  Kenny, Terry Kenny, Eddie O’Brien, Ciaran O’Connor, Tom Kenny, Jim Hennessy and Jerry Barry. 5 riders from the club Mick Twomey, Tom Pratt, John Hegarty, John Brislane and Frank O’Sulliavn have competed for Cork County Teams in Ras Tailteann. The club has promoted stage finishes of the Ras in 1959 &1962. It also hosted  the Tour of Ireland in ‘68’69 and 1972.

 

Road races were held annually for the D.J Forde Trophy, Philip Lewis trophy and a festival race for the Joe Murphy Trophy. A race was also held for the John Lawlor Trophy.

 

As there was an Athletic Club attached to the cycling club up to 1967, the Fermoy open sports was promoted annually form 1955 to 1975. In 1961 the 2 day All-Ireland sports were held in Fermoy. The final sports meeting held by the club in 1975 was an all cycling meeting. As most of the major sports meetings were now been held on tarmac or asphalt tracks, cycle races on the grass was coming to an end. All the future cycling activities would be held on the roads.