Denis Gallagher

[lew600fazer]

Is it not about time Denis Gallagher got some kind of recognition for the years he has been in the sport.
He is 73 or 74 now and is still racing, all be it classics now. He has not long recovered from Bowel Cancer and has been raisng money for cancer, bungee jumping of all things(see article Cookstown 100 programme).
About time he got a OBE or whatever from HMG, lets face it they hand them out to overpaid footballers at the drop of a hat, surely he is due.
Just a thought.
Lew

[theBuckeejit]

Here here

[two stroke do]

Ok iam bias, i love classic racing,but Denis is my hero.
My elder brother and his mate use to clean his bikes when he raced at the NW.
That was over 45 years ago,and for anyone in any sport competing and at the highest level in there chosen field at 70+ years of age most certainly should be honoured.I have met Denis on numerous occasions,and he has always time for a chat, a real gentleman.Ask any classic racer how good he is, one of the most safe and competitive racers out there. And may his racing days continue.

[stewj]

hey boy,less of the all be it classics.denis has been a top rider and also a top bloke for quite a while.he was still able to catch and pass john burrows a few years ago on his 350 honda and jb is 1 of the top superbike guys.so come on.credit where its due

[Baylon McCaughey]

yes, Denis Gallagher is one in a million!!, hes been around a long time, and still competitive, i remember him racing with Brian Steenson and Cecil Crawford, when you mentioned JB in an earlier posting, i had been telling JB about him before his first classic race (JBs ), and when the race was over, JB made a point of meeting me to introduce him to Denis, he couldnt beleive how competitive he was, Gallagher is fast but safe, and Yes, i would dearly love to see him been recgonized!
ps, he aint Scots!!, he was born in Ireland!! donegal, is same part of the world as Seamus Greene is from, think he went to same schoolas Seamuss Mother did!

[lew600fazer]

Good to see a response to this post, Now then who wouild we lobby to get the ball rolling.
I first saw Denis racing at the NW 200, I think it was 1965, I am sure he was on an AJS 7R was that a 250 or 350??
I know they were a lovely looking wee bike, I am sure he was also on a Matchless G50 500??
Happy days.
Lew

[two stroke do]

The MUCI,would be a good place to get this up and running.What about a Motorcycle club,there must be someone on here that could help.Mr Paisley jn and Sammy Wilson are big bike fans they may help.
If Mr White can get a gong why not Denis.

[mpatton476]

Great idea...has to happen! The fact that he's been going strong for so long and is STILL competitive must be recognised.

[lew600fazer]

Hi I have contacted Admin and they have said I can use the forum to drum up support for getting Denis the recognition he rightly deserves.
Can anyone give me a contact e-mail for the MUCI, suppose I should try google.com
But any assistance would be welcome.
Denis is not aware of this, unless he reads the forum , I am unknown to him.
I was just amazed at his performance at Dundrod last year and I was saying to my wife that I had watched Denis from when I was a teenager, I am nearly 64 now.
Again atthe Cookstown this year there he was again up there mixing it with guys 1/2 his age. So if you are like me and think Denis deserves a gong or whatever lets see if we can get some names in the form of a petition and make it happen.
I am aware that there are other's out there that also merit a mention but lets see if we can go some where with this.
My personal e-mail is lewismccoll@yahoo.co.uk if you want to PM me.
Lew

[lew600fazer]

Okay , I have sent an e-mail to the Motorcycle union of Ireland and put forward my idea . I have also found information on the www.directgov website were one can download a nomination form and other useful information. I would need some background on Denis , were he was born , I always thought he was a Scot but apparently he is from Donegal, when he actually started racing etc! I am sure you get my drift.
If anyone wants to jump in and help please do.
Apparently the whole process can take upto 18 months.
Lew