BALLYCASTLE company, McAlonan Oils, is the latest company to sponsor a race at this year’s Armoy Road Races, in memory of 21-year-old Sean McAlonan, fondly known as ‘Scooby,’ who tragically lost his life as a result of a one vehicle road traffic collision in November 2018.
A truck driver, who was described by his grandparents, Vincent and Kathleen McAlonan, as a “fantastic” son, grandson, brother, nephew and friend who “enjoyed every minute of life,” Sean’s untimely death stunned the local community. Following his passing, the community rallied around the McAlonan family to offer whatever support they could, including the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, who helped to organise Sean’s Memorial Truck Run, an event which raised £11,000 for Marie Curie last year.
To thank the Club for its support over the last two years, McAlonan Oils has issued sponsorship for the Junior Classics Race, which promises to be one of the most exhilarating spectacles of the Armoy Road Races.
Speaking about their grandson, Vincent and Kathleen said: “Sean has left us with some fantastic memories. “He made such a difference in his short life and achieved so much. He lived out his dream of becoming a truck driver and worked all over England and Ireland and he also had a keen interest in farming. “Sean was very popular amongst his peers and spent many Saturday nights getting dressed up in his checked shirt, blue jeans and Super Hampton boots for a night out with his friends.
“Sean enjoyed every minute of life and as a family, we miss him dearly as do all his friends and colleagues.
“We wanted to thank the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club for all their assistance during Sean’s Memorial Truck Runs and we thought the most fitting way to do that was to sponsor a race, as we know it’s something that Sean would have really loved.
“We’re really looking forward to the event in July and feel so privileged to be able to give back to an organisation that helped us so much during our time of need.”
Bill Kennedy, MBE, Clerk of Course, claims that the Club is “delighted” and “humbled” to welcome the McAlonan family on board as sponsors this year.
“On behalf of the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, we are delighted that McAlonan Oils is sponsoring the Junior Classics race,” Bill said.
“We are humbled by the fact that this race will be run in Sean’s memory and that it’s an event that he would’ve got so much enjoyment out of. Sean was an incredibly popular young man, and his sad passing has left such a void, not only in the McAlonan family, but in the local community as well.
“From the volume of entries that we have received thus far, the Junior Classics race is set to be a very good race. “We hope that those attending this year will have a great weekend and we would like to sincerely thank the McAlonan family for their very kind support.”
This event was enabled by funding from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. For more information, visit the Facebook page: AMRRC or on Twitter @ArmoyRoadRaces.