Stephen was a top cyclist in the 1950s

Stephen Abbott, who passed away recently at Waterford Regional Hospital, was one of Ireland's star cyclists of the 1950s. Aged 77, he had been in failing health for a lengthy period.

Born, reared and educated in Dublin, Steve (as he was generally known) spent his retirement years in Tullow, Co. Carlow. He had a strong affiliation with the Dolmen County, as his mother, Margaret Flynn, hailed from Rathoe. And as a child, Steve fondly remembered his frequent trips to the county where all the sugar was produced. Steve Abbott lived a life laden with rare experiences.

At the age of 11 he became the owner of a secondhand bicycle and soon realised he could beat all his youthful opponents when they raced on summer evenings from Crumlin to Kilcock and back.

As he grew older, Steve competed regularly in competitions staged under the rules of the National Athletic and Cycling Association (NACA) and soon became the winner of major trophies. As a long-distance rider, Steve Abbott of Dublin and Gene Mangan of Kerry were the men to be reckoned with on the highways of Ireland. The rivalry between Abbott and Mangan was one of the great features of Irish cycling in those days.

In the 1950s, in association with the well-known cyclist and republican Joe Christie, Steve became deeply involved in the planning and direction of a seven-day cycling race under the title Ras Tailteann. It was to be Ireland's Tour de France and is now rated one of the world's outstanding competitions.

It is now known as An Post Ras. Steve not only won memorable stages of this great race but he also had the dual task of being the sole race director of Ras Tailteann as well as competing in both 1957 and 1958.

The following is an extract from the account of the 1958 Ras concerning Steve Abbott: "It is only when one realises that the popular Clann Brugha man had only finally decided to compete three days before the race that the greatness of his performance can be fully appreciated. In preparing for the event, Steve had a dual task. Not alone had he to train extensively to reach that keen pitch of physical fitness necessary to finish the 1,000-mile course, but as Ras director he also had the colossal task of planning the whole affairs of the Ras. How well he did it can best by assessed by the success of the event.

"The Dublin team, mainly through Abbott's brilliant riding, were second in the team placings to Kerry." The 1958 Ras was won by Mick Murphy, the 'Iron Man' from Cahirciveen in Kerry, while the legendary Gene Mangan from Killorglin| - the only cyclist to win four back-to-back stages of the Ras - finished 12th.

When he ended his cycling career in the late 1950s with an abundance of medals and other trophies, Steve headed for London, where the competitive spirit within him came alive again.

Having enquired how he might become a London taxi-driver, he was informed he would have to undertake a three-year course of study described as Knowledge of London Students were required to know of all the nooks and crannies in the London metropolitan area. Steve qualified within two years and ran his own taxi business for the best part of 40 years.

In addition to running his own taxi business in London, Steve became involved in the entertainment business as agent of Leo Nealon, who headed a major entertainment promotions business in Dublin. As a former journalist and broadcaster, Leo Nealon was well aware of Steve's capabilities; they were to become lifelong friends. In his role as agent, Steve arranged bookings with the great bandleaders of the swing era and recording stars of the 1960 and '70s.
Steve and his wife Kathleen, a native of Co. Fermanagh, returned to Dublin in 1991, and in 2000 moved to a charming dwelling house by the banks of the River Slaney in Tullow. Steve's love of Gaelic games was second to none.

Over a 40-year period, he never missed either a football or hurling All-Ireland final. Even during his time in London, you could be sure that Steve would
be in Croke Park on the first and third Sundays in September.

During the All-Ireland football championship, Steve's loyalty to his native Dublin always flourished. When in London he organised dinner dances for the
great Dublin team of the 1970s to come over and celebrate their All-Ireland victories with the Irish community in the English capital. Although he was unable to make the trek to Croker in recent years, it was fitting that one of his last visits to Croke Park was to watch his beloved Dubs beat Kerry in the 2011 All-Ireland final.

Steve also had a passion for horse racing and quizzes. His competitive instincts never diminished as he was part of a successful quiz team in Tullow
in his later years. Whether on a bike or in a quiz, Steve Abbott didn't like to lose!

Unbeknown to many, Steve, like his mother, was devoted to Our Lady. His generosity and compassion was never obvious. Steve was a man who would give the shirt off his back to people in need.
He will be remembered for his pearls of wisdom, his very natural joviality and superlative ability to remember words of songs long forgotten by the general public.
Whenever Steve Abbott was in company, his engaging sense of humour made the world a happy place.

Steve Abbott was waked at his home in Tullow before removal of remains to the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, where they were received by Fr Andy Leahy, PP, who celebrated Steve's requiem Mass. Afterwards, Steve was laid to rest in the local St Patrick's Cemetery.

Steve Abbott is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Damien, Sean, Colm (all London), Terence (Lucan) and Emmet (London), by his sister Angela Durran (Crumlin); five grandchildren, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist. Tweet

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