(May 26th 2008)
Road
racing the weekend moved to Co. Monaghan to the small village of
Tydavnet where Emyvale CC promoted a full days racing and it proved to
be a very successful day for Cuchullainn CC. Senior racing was held on a
rolling 10 mile course and the constant up and down roads were made even
harder with the strong wind that was blowing. In the support race, held
over 4 laps of the course, Dundalk had 8 riders sign on and after
40miles of racing it was Cuchullainn CC rider Colm Quinn who was first
across the line. Dundalk riders were very active throughout the race,
with Aidan Cunningham, James Flynn and Aidan Martin riding strong
throughout but no break away was allowed to build up much of a gap. Alan
Grey, Barry Douglas and Dominic Walls were also riding strongly in the
bunch. As the race entered its final lap Quinn noticed a slowing in the
bunch as riders started to get tired and decided to have a go. His
gamble paid off and with some strong riding he held off the bunch to
take the chequered flag. This is a fantastic result for Quinn in what is
essentially his first full season of open racing. His good form comes on
the back of a hard 4 days of training in the recent Tour of Ireland
cycling event. The main race was held over 6 laps of the same circuit and Cuchullainn were represented by Gary Gorman and Liam Dolan. Dolan had a superb ride to break away on the final lap, along with 4 other riders and on the tough uphill sprint finish he took 3rd place. Just over a minute later Gary Gorman was second home in the bunch sprint to take 7th place. Not to be outdone the club`s mountain bikers were also in action with Johnny and Declan McCabe taking 5th and 9th respectively in the veterans event. However both were upstaged by younger brother Gerry, who in the same event showed excellent form to take second place. Like Quinn, Gerry also recently completed in the Tour of Ireland and the good training from this event has carried over into the racing.
The FPM Accountants Summer Cycling league was held on Thursday night on the Blackstaff-Carrick route. The wet weather made for a very hard nights racing along with a number of tough hills on the course. As has been the case this season the 3rd group quickly pulled back the second group, with scratch again unable to catch the leading groups. Newry rider Maurice McKevitt used his savvy to conserve energy in the group and not show his cards until the final sprint, were he took the chequered flag ahead of Aidan Martin and Declan McCabe. Martin Grey and Johnny McCabe rounded out the top 5 placings.
This Thursday night action moves to the Davy's circuit with the hill at Davy`s pub making it the most feared round of the summer series. First group is off at 7:00pm from the Ballymac.
May 19th 2008
Mullingar
was the venue on Sunday for the Senior B National Championships, with
the race being held over a tough 70 mile circuit. Gary Gorman was the
sole Cuchulainn rider in the premier race and did an outstanding ride to
finish in 5th place, narrowly missing out on a national medal. The race
started fast and furious and after some 30 miles a group of 10 riders
had escaped. As the escape group's advantage grew to over a minute
Gorman made his move to try and bridge the gap. Along with Newry's Mark
McKinley and a Dave Kane CC rider, Gorman rode across to the break. The
addition of these 3 strong riders to the move ensured it's survival for
the rest of the race. As the race drew on riders started to get tired
and Stamullen CC's Robert Moore knowing he wouldn't have the speed for
the sprint finished broke away. With the other riders watching each
other for the impending sprint finish Moore powered away to take the
victory. An Omagh CC rider who attempted to follow Moore hung on for the
silver medal. In the sprint for the line Gorman took third place and
fifth overall. This result moves Gary one step closer to his A license,
which is sure to follow this season. The FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League on Thursday last was a road race held on the Dorian's - Ardee circuit. Close on 50 riders signed on for the night's race, which consisted of 4 groups spread over 16 minutes. The largest of the groups were 2 and 3 and with only 8 scratch riders chasing bunches of 15-20 riders it was obvious the winner would come from the middle groups. Group 3 took off from the line and by the motorway roundabout had closed to within a minute of the second bunch, whom had already swept up the first group. By Ardee the first 3 groups were altogether and given the numbers in the scratch bunch their chances of catching the leaders were very unlikely. As the group approached the line all eyes were on Alan Bingham to take the win as since stepping down from riding scratch he has been dominating the third group. However on the line it was Newry rider Connor Quinn who edged the sprint from Bingham with defending league winner Aidan Martin in third. Ray O`Shaughensy did extremely well to take 4th and Derek Hussey rounded out the top 5.
This week's action switches to the Blackstaff-Carrick route starting on the Castleblaney road at 7:00pm.
April 21st 2008
All riders rolled out of the superb GFC hall towards the official start with a Garda escort through the town. The race was run on a handicap basis and the first group to start the 54mile race was the women, first year juniors and vets. Martin Grey and Declan McCabe represented Cuchullainn in this group. Next to leave, some 6 minutes later was the biggest group of the day, consisting of the senior Cs, the younger vets and second year juniors. This group had close on 80 riders and given the quality of some of the juniors in this group it was expected that the winner would be among these riders. The final group, a further 4 minutes adrift was the senior Bs. With a number of other races throughout the country this scratch group was relatively small at less than 20 riders.
The racing started fast & furious and by the end of the first lap each group had pulled some time back. Mid-way through the third lap a break featuring a number of strong riders, including capped Irish juniors Philip Lavery of Dublin based Eurobabies and Charles Prendergast who had made the trip from Mayo, escaped the middle group. This breakaway group was well marshaled by the Armagh veteran Shaun Gray and in less than 10miles they had bridged the gap to the first group. They continued to ride strong and only 1 or 2 of the first group were able to latch on. Meanwhile the scratch group were riding well and clawing back 30-40 seconds per lap on the middle bunch.
Half way through lap 4 of the 6 lap race, the middle bunch had caught the remnants of the first group, while the break had gained an advantage of some 2 minutes. By the end of lap 5 the scratch group had caught up and the break had increased his advantage to 2:30mins. It was now clear that the winner would come from this breakaway and sure enough on the tough uphill finish Charles Prendergast powered away from everyone else to comfortably take the win over Lavery and Gray. Noel McGlynn led the main bunch home narrowly beating Dundalk man Gary Gorman in the sprint. Heather Boyle of Ravens CTC was the first lady home.
In addition to the senior race there was a full compliment of underage racing with Armagh club Orchard - Juiced dominating the under sixteen race by taken the top three spots, Mantes Spirqius being the winner. In the under fourteens Newry rider Cormac Clarke was the winner, while Declan Mull of Lurgan based Clan Eireann took the under twelves.
Overall the day's racing was very successful and a big thank you has to go out to the race organisers, all the marshals, volunteers, lead car drivers, Dowdalls Hill GFC and the Gardaì. The biggest thank you should go to the "Tea Ladies" who ensured that all tired riders and marshals were well catered for after the race!
April 20th 2008
Main Race
1st - Charles Prendergast (Mayo Wheelers)
2nd - Philip Lavery (Euro Cycles)
3rd - Shaun Gray (Orchard - Juiced)
4th - Michael Duffy (Dunamon Dynamos)
5th - David Malone (Usher IRC)
6th - Niall Rock (Swords CC)
S2 Prize - Noel Mc Glynn (Kilcullen - Muphy Surveyors)
S3 Prize - Kenny Bucke (Newbridge CC)
Vet Prize - Lenny Kirk (Slane Cycles)
Jun Prize - Sean Moylett (Dunamon Dynamos)
Wom Prize - Heather Boyle (Ravens CTC)
Under 16
1st - Mantes Spirqius (Orchard - Juiced)
2nd - Andrew Turner (Orchard - Juiced)
3rd - Nathan Mehaggey & Adam Rayner (Orchard - Juiced)
Under 14
1st - Cormac Clarke (Newry Wheelers)
2nd - Ciara Mulholland (Clan Eireann)
3rd - Ryan Turner (Orchard - Juiced)
Under 12
1st - Declan Mulholland (Clan Eireann)
2nd - Aaron Swan (Ballymena Road Club)
3rd - Darragh Long (Orwell Wheelers)
April 7th 2008
Sunday week (April 20th) sees the club promote the annual Traders Cup. This race was first held in 1942 when it was promoted by the bicycle traders in Dundalk. The local shops pitched in together and had the Dundalk Cycle Traders Cup commissioned by the renowned silver cup makers Swatkins in the UK. The cup is still in existence and last year was taken home by Simon Whelan of Dublin Wheelers. It is 17 years since a local last lifted the cup, when as a junior Karl Dolan broke away from the main bunch to take the win. The race will be a handicapped affair held on the traditional Knockbridge circuit. Sign on will once again be from the Dowdalls Hill GFC clubhouse. The club calls on all non-participating members to lend a hand on the day.
March 31st 2008
In the supporting races Cucuhulainn CC had a large number of riders sign on, particularly in the C category event held over 4 laps of the tough 10 mile circuit. Dundalk rider Aidan Cunningham was very active throughout the day and featured in a number of breaks. However the bunch was keeping everyone on a short lease and none of the breaks succeeded. The race came down to a bunch sprint and unfortunately none of the Dundalk riders managed to break into the prizes, there was however good performances from a number of the club's riders. Newcomers to open racing Barry Douglas and James Flynn continue to show signs of improvement and will surely be amongst the places later in the season. The 2007 club Hill Climb champion, Jarlath Farmer, started his season on Sunday, and despite not having much speed work done was able to hang in the bunch. Alan Grey also had a successful return to Bohermeen where he had a very bad accident racing at the same circuit 3 seasons ago.
In the B category race Gary Gorman was very active over the 6 laps. More used to playing to his strength of waiting for the bunch sprint Gary decided to go on the offensive and attempted a number of attacks. At one stage he did manage to pull clear with eventual race winner, the junior Lavery from Dublin based club Euro-Babies, however this move was in vain.
Racing this weekend will be held outside of Balbriggan. Saturday night sees a short race, the warm-up for Sunday's Harry Reynolds classic. An 80mile race held over the tough climbs found in South County Dublin.
March 25th 2008
L - R Declan, Gerry & Johnny
In the sports event long time road racer Alan Bingham made his greatly anticipated switch to mountain bike racing and did excepteationally good to finish 5th in a strong field. As this was Alan's first event of this type it is a result to build up and surely he will go from strength to strength. Also in this race newcomer Barry Douglas rode very strongly to capture 10th place. Barry is continuing to build his fitness as he trains for July's epic endurance event the Trans Alps. Peter Collins was also racing in this event and finished just outside the top 20.
In the vets event the McCabe brothers were out in force again with Gerry, Johnny and Declan finishing 3rd, 4th and 13th respectively. These results see Gerry and Johnny sitting 3rd and 4th in the overall championship after the first 2 rounds. The Cup will continue on April 6th when action moves to Djouce Woods in Co. Wicklow.
With the evenings stretching out that little extra by the week road speed training will soon start of a Tuesday and Thursday night. With the FPM Accountants league kicking off on the first Thursday in May this is an opportunity for the local cyclists to get in some high quality mileage for the summer long league. Meanwhile club spins continue to leave from Earl Street at 10am on Sunday mornings.
(March 18th 2008)
The
long weekend saw a full schedule of racing for the cyclists from
Cuchullain CC. The events kicked off on Saturday when seven Dundalk
riders traveled to Carryduff to complete in the John Moore Memorial
promoted by Castlereagh Cycling Club. The race was 50miles long held
over 4 laps of an undulating circuit and was run on a handicap basis.
The performance of the day went to James Flynn, who rode superbly to
finish just outside the top 10. Flynn was off in the first group and the
course and harsh weather saw this group whittled down as the miles wore
on. On the last lap two category A riders, who had bridge the gap to
this group, escaped and fought it out for first and second place. The
next group, which contained Flynn, were less than a minute down and it
was only inexperience that meant Flynn didn't finish further up in the
sprint for the line. Sunday was the first classic of the season, the Des Hanlon Memorial, promoted by Carlow Road Club. This race is noted for both its length and severity with the riders tackling a number of climbs on each lap, including the daunting climb "the Butts". In the main race, which was just shy of 100 miles, Liam Dolan rode strongly, figuring in a number of breaks throughout the day, to finish in the main bunch. The race was one by Belfast professional Adam Armstrong, who rides with the Irish based Pezzula team. At only 20years old Armstrong is definitely one for the future.
The weekend`s racing was wrapped up on St. Patrick's day with the Batterstown Grand Prix. The club had nine riders sign on and Declan McCabe was the first club rider home. The race was run on a handicap basis, and the strong riding of a number of Cuchullain CC riders, including Aidan Cunningham, Gerry McCabe, Alan Gray and Martin Gray, meant that the scratch group never caught the lead riders.
The Easter weekend says a number of big stage races promoted around the country. Liam Dolan will be competing in the 4 day, 5 stage Tour of the North, where he will hope to build on his good start to the season.
(March 10th 2008)
Sunday
March 2nd saw the start of the 2008 cycling season with the Cycleways
Cup promoted by Navan Cycling Club. In the main race, which was 75 mile
held over 3 laps off an undulating circuit, Gary Gorman and Liam Dolan
were the representatives from Cuchulainn CC, and both riders had a solid
start to the season finishing in the main bunch. In the support race,
held over 2 laps of the same circuit, the club had 7 riders sign on,
including Stephen Carroll and Alan Grey making their first appearance in
competitive open racing in a number of seasons and Barry Douglas doing
his first open race. Gerry McCabe and Aidan Cunningham were both very
active during the race, featuring in a number of breaks, however it was
clubman Martin Grey who turned in the most impressive performance of the
day when his attack towards the end of the race saw him get away in a
group and take 11th overall and second in the vet's category. Racing the following Saturday was in Batterstown, Co. Meath and Aidan Cunningham had a strong showing managing to make it into the chase group for a top 10 finish. On Sunday racing was promoted by local club Newry Wheelers in Hilltown, outside Newry. Again Cuchullainn CC had a large number of riders turn out in both the main and support races. All the club riders showed a promising start to the season with all riding strongly and featuring in a number of breakaway attempts, despite the blustery conditions and cold temperatures.
Also
on Sunday last the mountain biking season kicked off. The first event
was the international K Capital series first round. The three McCabe
brothers all finished inside the top 10 in the vets race, which sets
them up well for the series. Mickey Clarke also got a top 5 result in
the Sports section. Finally the club would like to congratulate Gerry McCabe on his recent nomination for a Sports Star of the Year Award. Gerry was nominated in recognition for his exploits on the mountain bike during 2007 when he won both the veterans All Ireland League and the National Championships.