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Last Updated: Apr 23rd, 2008 - 23:29:29 |
WEEKEND FIXTURES:
By Tommy Campbell
Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
Apr 24, 2008,
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© Tommy Campbell
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Two top promoters go head to head on Sunday! Paul Lonergan of the Dan Morrissey/Carrick Wheelers and Gabriel Howard of Stamullen M.Donnelly RC. "It is an unfortunate clash. The Stamullen Club also put on a splendid programme of racing for all categories.
Originally it was our intention that the Tommy Sheehan was to beheld on the 20th of April but Bray Wheelers were allocated that date and I just went the new date. Hopefully everything will go well for both of us. But, Gaybo has an added advantage that he has a race on the Saturday," said Paul Lonergan.
The West Coast Wheelers are back in action after last year's cancellation with their promotion over at Maam also on Sunday.
The Stamullen Road Club sponsored by M. Donnelly & Co. is always coming up new initiatives to inveigle cyclists to their part of the world in Co. Meath.
The latest venture is a ‘Super League’ which has the backing of Wheel Worx Bike Shop in Dublin. A series of five races will be held between April, July and August.
According to Gabriel Howard, “it is an incentive for everybody who takes part in the series that there will be a prize fund at the end of the series.
“Oft times the season loses its gloss after the FBD Insurance Ras, but these races will keep the clock ticking right up until the middle of August.
“It will be run on a point’s basis and of course there’ll be a leader’s jersey to distinguish the leader in the competition.
“The series kicks off at the end of April with the Monie Nolan and the following day the 27th of April the Stamullen GP is the attraction.
“In July we have the Brendan Carroll followed a month later with a new fixture on the calendar, The Bellewstown Grand Prix.
“Hopefully by the time the last event, the Brendan Carroll is held the interest will not have waned and possibly this fixture will go down to the wire for an overall victory,” said Gabriel Howard the figure-head behind the venture.
Additional info supplied by Kay Howard;-
What is usually a very busy weekend for Stamullen M Donnelly Road Club, will be even busier, when on Saturday the club promotes the Pat & Monie Nolan Memorial Race in Balscadden (north Co. Dublin). The Underage - Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16's will start at 3:00pm, with the Seniors, Juniors, Vets, Ladies, leaving the start line at 3:30pm and covering 6 laps of Balscadden, Gormanston, Stamullen circuit. The sign on will be in McCormack's Pub in Balscadden. Prizes for 1st (8) over the line + 1st and 2nd unplaced in each category. 1st (6) in Juvenile Races.
Then, and we ask that all cyclists please take note of these changes - the sign on for all races will take place at Gormanston College Sports Complex. It is from here that ALL RACES WILL START, as opposed to Stamullen. Also, it is very important that the new earlier time of 12:30 be observed. All of the races will FINISH in Stamullen, as per usual.
The Senior 1-2 Race will cover (6) laps of a slightly new course of - Gormanston, Stamullen, Naul, out Naul/Balbriggan road to Whitestown Cross, where the race turns left for Tubbertown Cross, turns right at this junction and travels down into Balscadden. Race turns left again, back onto what was the original course over the years. There will be a prize list of at least 1st 10 in both the S1 and S2 Race.
The Senior 3's will have a separate race and cover 3 laps of the circuit, while the Combined Race will also cover 3 laps.
The reason for the extra workload, is that the club will be promoting 5-top class races throughout the season, Pat & Monie Nolan Memorial,Stamullen GP Races, Brendan Carroll Memorial, a new race - Bellewstown Grand Prix and the Brendan Campbell Memorial. The club has secured very generous sponsorship from Rob Cummins of Wheelworx Bike Store in Clondalkin for a Super League to be run on a points system over the 5 races. There is an attractive prize fund of €1,500.00 for this Super League, with the overall winner receiving €300. plus an overall Race Leaders jersey. Before the start of each race (after Balscadden), there will be a Super League Race Leaders Jersey presented. If any cyclist refuses to wear the jersey, which is being supplied by the sponsor, they will no longer count in the League and the jersey will then pass to the person in second place, on points. If the League Leader is not in attendance at any of the subsequent races, after Balscadden, the Race Leaders Jersey will be worn by the 2nd man on points.
Directions: Coming from the North, leave the M1 at the first exit after the Toll Bridge, follow the signs for Gormanston.
Directions: Coming from Dublin direction: Leave the M1 at the Junction that says Naul (Balbriggan is also on this sign), swing right over the Motorway, continue straight and take the first left turn, which will take you to the sign on for both days.
Any further details - contact Minister for Cycling 'Gaybo' - 087-2040959 (He says, God help any cyclist in the country, who fails to support this Super League).
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Paul Griffin of the Giant Asia Racing Team will be in Carrick-on-Suir this Sunday. He'll be defending the Tommy Sheehan Memorial over a testing 64 miles on the Carney Circuit on the outskirts of the town. "I am looking forward to keeping the trophy at home in Tralee for another year. The form is picking up after a crash earlier in the year which sidelined me. In recent weeks there is evidence of an improvement and last Sunday in the 'Shay Elliott' I was beaten by the better man on the day, David O'Loughlin.
"Hopefully the progress will continue up to the FBD Insurance Ras in May before I head back to my base in Asia where the team have a number of high profile events lined up," said Paul.
Race organiser Paul Lonergan has as usual, dotted the i's and crossed the t's in preparation for Sundays events which begin at mid-day with the Under 12's and 14's. The Under 16's start their action at quarter past one after the 'Tommy Sheehan Memorial' has departed from the start line.
Paul will also be looking for a good show for his sponsor on the day, Liam Hanrahan who came on board to support the club last season with its ambitious programme of National events. No doubt Sam Bennett and Martin O'Loughlin will keep everybody happy.
Sunday's event the Tommy Sheehan gets under way at one o'clock with dressing at the Carrick United Soccer Club in Carrick Beg who incidentally are causing a stir in soccer circles at the moment.
Over in the West the West Coast Wheelers are back in business with the their 'Open' event which sadly last year had to be cancelled because of the inclement weather early in 2007 when roads and bridges in the area suffered. According to Brian O'Donnell "we took the advice of the Gardai and the local authorities to cancel the race, but we're back bigger and better this year. Also later in the year we will be holding a mountainbike series. So happy days again.
"The course we are using is a figure of eight.It takes in Maam, Lough Fuacht, Finney, Cornamona, Leenane, Ignagh Valley and Maam Valley. The finish will be at the Maam Valley KOH which has been used in previous years as a location for KOH in the FBD Insurance Ras," said Brian who intends taking part in the 105kms event.
Currently the favourite has to be David Brennan of Castlebar CC. David rode very well in the recent Pauline Sugrue Auctioneers Ras Mumhan, but crashed on the third day. he got back up to finish the stage and the final day. Dressing is in the Maam Cross Community Centre which opens for sign-on at mid-day with a start of one o'clock. All categories are being catered for.
Tour of Mournes 27th April 2008
Promoted by Newry Wheelers Cycling Club
Sign on Newry Gateway Club,Newry from 10.30 am.
The route this year starts in Newry and goes to Warrenpoint,Rostrevor,Kilkeel,Newcastle,Byransford,Hilltown,Kilcoo,Rathfriland and then into Newry where the finish will be outside the test centre.
A list of competiors will be up by the end of the week, however if you have not heard from Drew McKinley it is most likely you are entered. I have contacted riders who did not make the cut off list and who are now on a reserve list.
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NOTICE RE: PHOENIX PARK RACES
Racing in The Phoenix Park has been postponed. This is due to the heavy traffic. Knockmaroon Hill is closed to North Bound Traffic because of road works and all traffic is diverted through the Park. I have been in contact with the A.P.O. and they will notify me when Knockmaroon Hill is open again. However it is expected to stay closed for the Summer Months.
Alice Sherratt
Race Organiser
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2008 Tommy Campbell,
IrishCycling.com.
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