The buzz that was about for last weekends activity, presumably will have waned somewhat!
For Philip Lavery (EuroBabyEuroCyles), Robin Seymour (Team WORC) and the Pezula boys' Ciaran Power and Ryan Connor were all in the winner’s enclosure. Robin's victory at Moneyscalp has all but guaranteed his place for the Beijing Games at mountain biking. A wise decision which paid off handsomely for Philip Lavery was his win the Bertoni Gorey Three Day. Originally scheduled for 'The Tour of Ulster' his change of heart has certainly given a major boost for the rest of the year.
If you had gone into Paddy Power looking for a double on Ryan and Ciaran delivering the goods? The odds offered would not have attracted you to part with your cash.
The closest thing that cycling will come to a two-day is the promotion by Sligo CC of the Mooney Cup and the Markievicz Cup on Saturday and Sunday.
“We are promoting the two events this weekend and they are listed for all bar Senior One’s. The races have a new location at Coolaney and I emphasise that it is Coolaney and not a village that is pronounced similarly. On Saturday the off time is three o’clock and on Sunday it is an hour earlier,” said the organiser and defending champion of the Markievicz Cup Daire Mooney. Scott McDonald who won the Mooney Cup is ineligible because of his standing as a Senior A.
Also on Saturday in the highest village in Ireland, Roundwood, the Christy McManus is like the Sligo events for all bar Senior A’s.
The defending champion is Philip Cassidy and no doubt his absence from the line in the Pauline Sugrue Auctioneers Ras Mumhan at Easter would suggest that he’ll be there to defend the title. The race is sponsored By “Duffs” of Bray who are also sponsors of other cycling events.
In Bohermeen, the underage and the future of Irish cycling have their first engagement of the year. The location is a magnet for the kids who want to get into and show strut their stuff.
Whilst the underage is important, The Waller Cup will surely bring the A’s in their numbers.
Down South, St. Finbarr’s CC promotes the Ken O’Keeffe and the Jim O’Leary events. The club has always been associated with high profile events.
It will be interesting to see how the form holds up for the participants In Ras Mumhan.
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See the calendar of the events for start times and don’t forget this Sunday the clocks go forward. I have a feeling that hour forward will cause trouble when people turn to the respective events and suddenly find that the races are up and running.
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SOME EVENT DETAILS SENT IN TO US
Ulster Events This Weekend
By Tommy Lamb
The first event in the Ulster Youth racing calendar takes place on Saturday in Moneymore promoted by East Tyrone CC. Having obtained special permission from the Youth Commission they will have events for all age groups including Beginner Youths. Sign on is at Orlee Kitchens on the Coagh - Loup Road (B181) at 9.00 am with racing due to start at 10.00am. The Youth events are sponsored by S Lindsay and Son Cycles, Cookstown. The Youth events will be followed by the Cicli Sport Grand Prix. In a change from previous years, this will now be two separate events. The 'A'Race is for S1, S2, Vets under 50 and selected Juniors. It will cover 90 km around the Springhill-Tamlaght-Loupcircuit. The 'B' Event will be for S3's, Older Vets, Newcomers and Women and will a cover a total distance of 75km.
On Sunday Island Wheelers promote the P.J. Logan Cup starting from Coalisland's Gortgonis Hall at 1pm. The 100 kilometre has established itself as a classic in recent years having been won by riders of the calibre of David McCann. Favourites for the 2008 edition must include the professional Pezula team of Ryan Connor, Martyn Irvine and Adam Armstrong but Usher Irish Road Club have a number of northern based riders including Peter Hawkins and Matthew Ward and they will be out to stem Pezula's dominance of the early season road races.
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The Bray Wheelers host the Christy McManus Memorial race on Saturday 29th over a tough 80km course starting and finishing in Roundwood. The event is open to Senior 2, Senior 3, Juniors, Vets and Ladies with prizes for the first 6 over the line, the first unplaced Senior 3, first unplaced Junior, first unplaced Vet and first unplaced Lady.
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Sign on at the Roundwood GAA Complex (just past Roundwood Village on the left hand side) from 10am with the race starting at 11am. For more details contact Mark Loughran on 086-8225310.
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Sunday 30th March - Bohermeen Cycling Club Promote the Waller Cup
Program of Races
Underage @ 11am U16, U14, U12 1st eight in each race
Senior Races @ 13:00 – 5 Separate races
Senior A 70 miles 1st Ten.
Senior B 60 miles 1st Ten.
Junior / Vets 50 miles 1st eight & 1st three Vets
Senior C 40 miles 1st eight
Ladies 40 miles 1st six
Circuit is 10 miles
Sign-on at McHughs Pub, Greetigh Bohermeen, Navan
Any queries – Contact Marie 087-9458499
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St Finbarr's CC will be promoting the annual Jim O'Leary & Ken O'Keeffe Memorial races on Sunday next, March 30th 2008. The race headquarters / sign-on will be the Rockmount FC at Whitechurch, Co. Cork. Sign-on will open at 12noon and racing will begin at 1pm. The races will be based on laps of the traditional 17km Whitchurch / Old Mallow Road circuit.
The Ken O'Keeffe Memorial will be for Senior A & B covering 6 laps (102km), with prizes for first 6 over the line plus 2 unplaced B's. The Jim O'Leary will be for Senior C, Vets, Junior & Ladies covering 4 laps (68km), with prizes for all categories.
Further information from John at 021-4961516, Eddie at 087-2388624
