"Mick," a familiar figure in the Dunkineely, Galway, Dublin and now Gweedore areas, inherited his nickname from his father, Michael McNicholas. As a seasoned systems engineer, his well-traveled mind is primed to tackle the logistics of "100 To Home."
He's embarking on a unique fundraising journey, true to his distinctive style. Despite the scheduling conflict with first holy communions, Colin remains resolute in his commitment to completing the 100km distance on foot, running around the roads of the North West region over the next few weeks!
A stalwart of the Naomh Ultan team since his youth, this gifted footballer boasts an impressive collection of medals. He notably contributed to the club's historic victory in the county final of 1995, marking their inaugural championship win at the underage level. An intriguing tidbit from that memorable day: the match took place at MacCumhaill Park preceding Donegal's clash with Tyrone in the national league. Coincidentally, it also commemorated Martin Shovlin's 100th game for the county, making it a truly memorable occasion for the club.
In 1999, the team, which included Mick, delivered an outstanding performance in the Div 3 Minor Championship final, overpowering Red Hughs, the same opponent they had conquered in 1995. It proved to be a remarkable year for Mick personally as well. He played a role in the Intermediate Reserve side's triumph, clinching the Championship after four attempts in finals since the team's inception in 1994.
In the near future, Colin ascended to the senior ranks of Naomh Ultan, where his knack for triumph in finals continued. He was an integral part of the historic Intermediate Championship-winning team of 2002, clinching the title on the same day the Reserves secured the Intermediate B Championship. However, luck can be fickle, and unfortunately for Colin, it took a turn. That very year, facing off against Milford, and again in 2003 against Glenswilly, he found himself front and centre for the U21s side. They made history as the first and only team at that grade to reach county finals but were thwarted on both occasions.
During that era, if you wandered through the Woodquay area in Galway city, chances are you'd cross paths with "Tickles", as he was christened down about them parts. He'd be frequenting the Hole in the Wall, on either one side of the bar or the other depending on what night or day it was!
Fortunately, Colin didn't acquire any new nicknames during his time in Dublin, which spared everyone from potential confusion! Throughout these years, he maintained a consistent presence in both the senior and reserve sides. In 2010, he made a cameo appearance for the reserves in the Junior B Championship final, although they, regrettably, ended up on the losing side.
Throughout this period, Colin wasn't the sole McNicholas representing the club; his mother Margaret served as the treasurer for several years, demonstrating a level of commitment and dedication to the club that rivaled anyone else's. Additionally, Colin's younger brother, Ronan also played for the club at the underage level, furthering the family's connection to Naomh Ultan.
Mick/Tickles/Colin in 2015, savored one last taste of success with the club. Despite his advancing years, he remained a reliable presence and lent his support as he often did. His contribution played a part in the senior side's triumphant campaign, clinching both the Junior A Championship and the league titles that year.
Retirement was a frequent topic of conversation as he settled into life in Gweedore with his wife, Yvonne, and their two children, Sienna and Jensen, who arrived in the subsequent years. There was some speculation that he might have donned the Gaoth Dobhair jersey himself, but ultimately, he only wore it as a supporter, as evidenced by sightings on a few occasions. As they say, the camera doesn't lie!
Now pursuing another one of his passions, soccer, with Gweedore Celtic, we're thrilled to have Colin joining "100 To Home" in his own unique way! It's a fantastic opportunity to forgive him for his mysterious feat of somehow smuggling our number 23 jersey up the road - however he managed to pull that off! Make sure to wear it when you're out doing your runs!
