Well Co. Donegal in more than one way danced to the beat. It may have been all about the County playing in Croke Park last Sunday. But the other part of Donegal was in Churchill and Letterkenny for the Errigal International Youth Tour. Indeed, there was an international flavour about the event.
James Harkin and Derek Alcorn were the men in the hot seat and they sat in their respective positions of power and autonomy. They were seen but not heard. Between them, literally they assembled an army of volunteers from the sign-on to marshalling to barrier crews. Plus they organised the weather. I was hearing reports from all over the country that it was raining, even to the extent there were thunderstorms, but the duo must have been in touch with Beijing. Remember the Olympic Games four years ago where they scattered the clouds, thus avoiding rain in Beijing.
The setting was unique for three days with a Tour de France atmosphere, both in Churchill and Letterkenny. Okay, I would admit that a rural village would play their part. On Bank Holiday Monday for the final events of criterium racing in a major town that they had barriered an entire course cutting off entry to a major shopping precinct. And there was not one word of discontent from the general public because of the feel good factor for cycling.
Three separate events were held on the Saturday on an undulating course which had attendances in abundance. The highlight of Saturdays racing was the road race in the under 16 bracket, I must admit that it is a long time since I witnessed an effort by Eddie Dunbar representing the Munster Development Team. On lap two of five he went on a solo attack and at the end of the stage he was over two minutes ahead of his closest challengers and to all it was a case who would be second in the standings on Monday after the final stage.
Sunday was unique for those that participated in the time trial. The organisation introduced a timing device which has to be the crème de crème for a cyclist. The Donegal Motor Club used the timing device which is used in the rallys. Red/Amber/Green for the start and a similar one at the finish. Chatting with Aaron Kearney from the Iverk/Carrick Wheelers CC who was in the under 14 age bracket. “It was magic, everybody was talking about the clock,”
In the afternoon road race in the under 16 bracket, I must admit that it is a long time since I witnessed an effort by a Eddie Dunbar representing the Munster Development Team. On lap two of five he went on a solo attack and at the end of the stage he was over two minutes ahead of his closest challengers.
In the afternoon, the road race for the age brackets was sheer magic with at least 500 people lining the climb for the three events. It was like the good old days of the Nisan Classic where the support for cycling by the general was simply rapturous. Whereas in the other events, they were all hotly contested and the support from the general public was pure magic.
Yes, there were sad but happy faces when the curtain came down for the Erigal International Youth Tour of 2012. The local club were following in the footsteps of the Killorglin Credit Union CC and the Connacht Provincial Executive who have promoted the event in the past.
They set the bar, but it was raised further last weekend. By now the dust has settled in Churchill and both James and Derek are scrathing their heads and saying “By God we delivered. Those faces of the youngsters will long remember their time in Donegal in the month of August in 2012.”
A foot note would be appropriate by the words of James Harkin when he spoke to the managers in the Irish vernacular and the final words of Derek Alcorn 'Go n'eiri an tadh libh.'
'Til next year in Donegal for the Errigal International Youth Tour.
Errigal Youth Tour 2012 Results
SOME PICTURES FROM THE EVENT
