Irish cycling community mourns sudden death of accomplished racer (52)
Olivia Kelleher
The Irish cycling community is mourning following the sudden passing at the age of 52 of accomplished racer, Craig Sweetman.
Sweetman made 11 appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally, having made his debut in Japan in 2002.
Mr Sweetman, late of Mornington, Co Meath, and Skerries in Dublin, attended the ‘Peter Bidwell’ race in Donore last Saturday evening. He was not racing due to an injury. He took ill and died at his home on Sunday.
Mr Sweetman started cycling as a teenager and won a large number of races as a younger man. He was a former Men’s Senior Road Race champion and in 2023 won the Masters 50 title at the Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath.
Irishcycling.com posted a tribute to the married father of two whom they said celebrated with his teenage son Toby a couple of weeks ago after the youngster won a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland.
“Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.”
Stickybottle.com said that the long term member of Stamullen Road Club in Meath was a popular figure on the Irish road racing scene for decades.
“He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare longterm committment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002.
"Craig was also 2nd in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men’s senior Leinster road race champion.
"He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath.
"He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.”
Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. He will lie in repose at his home on Wednesday evening from 5 – 8pm.
His removal will take place on Thursday morning to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
