Ruadhán Jones
Sam Bennett The community of Carrick-on-suir, Co. Tipperary, were “thrilled” as local Sam Bennett became the first Irishman to win a major jersey at the Tour de France since 1989.
The 29-year-old beat off a challenge from world champion Mads Pedersen to secure victory on the final stage of the Tour de France, having already claimed the best sprinter’s green jersey earlier in the day.
Fr Jimmy Browne of St Nicholas Church, Carrick-on-suir, said the win gave the community “a complete lift in these difficult times”.
“Absolutely, it’s a thrill to the community – everybody takes pride in something like that,” he told The Irish Catholic, “especially when you’re not able to go to matches and things like that, it was fantastic for people to be able to follow his progress.”
Fr Browne officiated at Bennett’s wedding last year and said he found him a hardworking, humble man.
“He wanted a church wedding and wanted everything about that to be dignified and correct,” said Fr Browne. “You would not know that he is Sam Bennet when you meet him, there’s nothing about him at all to say, I’m a champion. A very, very humble chap.”
Carrick-on-suir produced Ireland’s last winner, Seán Kelly, and has a strong tradition in cycling, Fr Browne explained.
“Carrick of course has a great tradition of cycling and there’s a fantastic cycling club here,” he said.
“There’s a man here who’s over 80 and I saw him out on his bike yesterday and I was saying – he might not be as fast as Sam Bennet, but begorrah his heart is every bit as big.”