Present Tense

  • Martin Finnegan

    May 6, 2008 @ 3:21 pm | by Shane

    For those outside either outside the motor-racing scene or its heartland areas, the death of Martin Finnegan at the Tandragee 100 last weekend may not really register. To get a sense of how big a figure he was in a sport that gets little coverage despite its popularity here, I’m posting a couple of videos of the convoy that brought him home to Lusk on Monday.

    It takes a full five minutes for the convoy to pass in the first clip. The second shows the reception given to him by the people of his home town, Lusk.

    • 24 Comments »

    1.
    May 6, 2008
    4:39 pm

    A great tribute for a great man

    Comment by John Delaney
    2.
    May 6, 2008
    4:50 pm

    rest in peace martin you will be sadly missed in the sport the best we ever had and will be for years to come.condolenses to all belonging to you Matt

    Comment by matty kane
    3.
    May 6, 2008
    7:05 pm

    thank you very much for these vids was not able to make it yesterday.
    R.I.P Big Man #45

    Comment by d
    4.
    May 6, 2008
    8:32 pm

    Gardaí seize ‘racing’ cars at Killarney rally

    I saw the other side of the motor-racing scene at the weekend down in Kerry. What a shower… It was like Killarney was under seige.

    Comment by Ivor
    5.
    May 6, 2008
    9:15 pm

    Ivor - It’s my fault that I used the more general term of “motor racing” when it’s motorbike racing specifically. From my experience of having bike racing on my doorstep I can tell you the influx is welcomed to the town every year.

    Comment by Shane
    6.
    May 7, 2008
    1:14 pm

    Martin #45,
    He will be sorely missed he was a super talent and the sport won’t be the same without him
    R.I.P

    Comment by Gixxer6
    7.
    May 7, 2008
    1:47 pm

    May Martin Rest in peace, he is in the hearts of many forever- keep her lit #45

    Comment by Deirdre Crowley
    8.
    May 7, 2008
    4:32 pm

    rest in peace martin thanks for all the great isle of man memories you will never be forgotten say hello to joey and steve.

    Comment by brendan , preston england
    9.
    May 8, 2008
    12:45 am

    In Matins Da’s words “ride on Marti” No.45 always Deepest Sympathy to all that Love you.

    Comment by Larry
    10.
    May 8, 2008
    12:56 pm

    Hero’s come and go, legends live forever. Rest in peace #45

    Comment by Gerry Lang
    11.
    May 8, 2008
    1:13 pm

    Gave so much to his army of fans and asked for so little in return …TT would have been special for him this year,he’ll be sorely missed but never forgotten…Ride on # 45

    Comment by Fergal B
    12.
    May 8, 2008
    7:07 pm

    I’m totally out of the motorbike racing scene but came across Martin Finnegan earlier this year at a road safety seminar. Both he and Ryan Farquhar were there to encourage bikers and all road users to take it handy, particularly bikers who are coming home from races. I thought it was really admirable of them to give their time so freely and to stick around afterwards (longer than the local TD’s!!) to meet people. It’s a sad irony that he has now lost his life. I hope his wife and child will be okay.

    Comment by C
    13.
    May 8, 2008
    7:58 pm

    Martin Finnegan 45# a true Racer Gentleman Freind with time for all who encouraged Him on. The 05′ & 07′ TT memories were great I’ll never forget them. Race Victories up and down this island to. I Thank you. You are and will always be in Our Hearts. Will continue to Pray for all the Family. Thanks for being a frined Martin.

    Comment by Nigel
    14.
    May 9, 2008
    1:16 pm

    Great great guy, and racer….. Had a few great nights in Daingean with him… (No need for long jhons where you are big fella, bit of a joke we had going) Missed badly, you and the Green man are back biking with no limits again…. “God be good to the racers in the sky” RIP

    Comment by Derek Brennan
    15.
    May 10, 2008
    3:37 am

    I took that second video there, sad scene but happy at the same time that so many people turned out to cheer Martin on one last time. Cheers for adding it to your blog anyway.

    RIP Martin.

    Comment by Jay
    16.
    May 10, 2008
    10:21 am

    Jay - These two clips have been the most watched of any I have ever put on the site.

    Comment by Shane
    17.
    May 10, 2008
    11:05 am

    you were the best R.I.P Martin from melbourne vic

    Comment by noel dennis
    18.
    May 10, 2008
    7:24 pm

    Good to hear man. I noticed the overall views are touching 7,000 since Monday (Largely due to your embedding on this blog), found that a little mad. The Northwest 200 & indeed Skerries won’t be the same this year.

    Comment by Jay
    19.
    May 17, 2008
    9:34 am

    Martin Finnegan was a fantastic racer. As a family we travelled from Athea, Ballybunion, Kells, and NW200, we are devistated by your loss to the racing community. Martin rest in peace. There will be no other #45.

    Comment by Ruth Goggin
    20.
    May 21, 2008
    11:26 pm

    45# what a rider what a style what a peoples man what friend and what great memories you left us with. thanks for everything, good buddy

    Comment by pete
    21.
    June 18, 2008
    2:51 am

    Thank you Martin for the pleasure of watching you in action in Mondello - 2 very sad vids sorry about the late comment, There is a God and he is now enjoying Martin, Robert, Joey, Richard, Darren and David etc…in the big T.T. race in the sky!

    Comment by B. Kavanagh
    22.
    October 13, 2008
    6:08 pm

    great rider…
    gone but never forgotten…
    xtreme #45 forever in our hearts…
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Comment by megan
    23.
    November 24, 2008
    9:58 pm

    A true road racing legend, you will be sadly missed # 45.

    Comment by Susan
    24.
    April 28, 2009
    4:19 pm

    I was there that day, I wasn’t a religious road racing fan, but I made sure I cheered for Martin at the Skerries TT every year. I live in lusk and it was a privilege to ride home with Martin from Dundalk to Lusk for his last time. He is was a living legend, and will be remembered as such

    Comment by Conor

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