Rory Wyley (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers)
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Defending champion Rory Wyley repeated his success in the Des Hanlon Memorial race in Carlow yesterday, taking the first event in the 2005 Classic League. The Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers rider was part of a fourteen man break which was away for practically the entire race, then bridged up to a move containing team-mate Timmy Barry and double FBD Milk Rás winner Philip Cassidy (Cycleways.com) on the penultimate lap. Wyley made his winning attack on the final lap, soloing in to finish approximately half a minute clear of Barry and Cassidy. Michael Hennessy (Fermoy CC) was fourth, with Sean Lacey (Earl of Desmond CC) and Conor Murphy (Crannog CC) next home.
A strong field of senior 1 and 2 riders lined out for the 143 kilometre event, which took place on a mountainous circuit that makes it one of the hardest one-day races on the Irish calendar. The weather was dry and bright, although strong winds added an extra dimension of difficulty to the race. A gusting tailwind after the start saw the field race away from Carlow town at speeds over 35 miles per hour. The crucial break of twelve riders went clear before Castlecomer, quickly building a strong lead.
Present were Wyely, Barry, Cassidy, Hennessy, Lacey, Murphy, John Dempsey (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers), Michael Concannon (Killorglin CC), Denis Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union), Robin Seymour (Team Worc), Shane Baker (Usher IRC) and Matthew Ward (Phoenix). The composition of the break spelled it out as one which would be strong enough to stay clear to the end, so a desperate chase was mounted behind. Paul Griffin (Earl of Desmond) and Philip Finegan (Cycleways.com) were amongst those who set off in pursuit, but these were brought back by the bunch.
Finegan went again shortly afterwards in a small group which included Martin O’Loughlin and Brian Truman (both Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers). These were joined by Usher IRC duo Greg Swinand, plus Adrian Hedderman and Mark Nestor (Murphy and Gunn) and together clawed back the breaks’ advantage from two minutes to forty seconds. However, with the strong headwind reducing their speed to 25 kilometres per hour at times, the chasers were unable to close the gap any further, and eventually went back to the bunch.
Barry attacked on the descent after Killeshin on the penultimate lap, being joined by Cassidy. Together they pulled clear of the others, but Wyley was strong enough to jump across on the Castlecomer climb. He surged again shortly afterwards and opened up a good lead, soloing in to repeat his victory of 2004 and take an early lead in the Classic League. Barry outsprinted Cassidy for second half a minute later, with Hennessy, Lacey, Murphy, Dempsey, Concannon, Lynch and Irish MTB champion Seymour completing the top ten. Baker and Ward were caught and passed by a five man chase group comprising Finegan, Swinand, O’Loughlin, Truman and Vinnie Gleeson (West Clare) before the line.
WEEKEND RESULTS
DES HANLON MEMORIAL – CARLOW
1 Rory Wyley, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs.
2 Timmy Barry, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs.
3 Philip Cassidy, Cycleways.Com
4 Michael Hennessy, Fermoy CC
5 Sean Lacey, Earl of Desmond CC
6 Conor Murphy, Crannog CC
7 John Dempsey, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs
8 Michael Concannon, Killorglin CC
9 Denis Lynch, Kanturk Credit Union
10 Robin Seymour, Team Worc
‘B’ Brian Truman, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs
‘B’ Barry Meehan, World Wide Cycles
‘B’ Mark Nestor, Murphy-Gunn
SENIOR C RACE
1 Chris O'Hare, Stamullen M Donnelly RC
2 Niall Brosnan, Earl of Desmond CC
3 Sean Rock, McNally Swords CC
4 Tom Shanahan, Limerick CC
5 Gerard Parkinson, Laois CC
6 Cormac O’Shea, Ena Loughman Remak
Junior Race
1 James McCarthy, Fermoy CC
2 Gavin Brown, St. Finbarr’s CC
3 Stephen Halpin, McNally Swords CC
Veterans
1 Ronnie Brannigan, Orwell Dundrum
2 Maurice Hartray, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs
3 Sean McIlroy, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs
Lady: Siobhan Dervan, Lotto Ladies,
DUNDALK TRADERS CUP – 54 miles
1 Matt Kelly, Stamullen M Donnelly RC
2 Alister Cole, McNally Swords CC
3 Sean Bracken, Usher IRC
4 Karl Elliott, Usher IRC
5 Declan Gray, Cuchulainn CC
6 Keith Bannon, Bagel Bar CC
Sen ‘C’, K. Lynch, Newry CC
Junior: M. Daly, McNally Swords CC
Veteran, C. Dunne, Staggs Lucan CC
MARKIEVICZ CUP RACE - SLIGO
1 D. Burke, Realt Tuam CC
2 M. Storan, West Clare CC
3 J. McCulla, Donamon Dynamo CC
4 M. McDevitt, 4 Masters CC
5 E. Connaughton, Unattached
6 J. Brennan, Castlebar CC
ARMAGH CITY TO DOWNPATRICK CLASSIC RACE (Sunday) 56 ml RR
1 Martin Irvine, Ards C.C.
2 Andy Flannery, Phoenix C.C
3 Niall Quigley, Bann Whs.
4 Paul Bloomer, Harp C.C.
5 Stephen McKenna, Cycling Ulster
6 JimMcConnell, East Antrim C.C.
Unplaced Ladies
1 Aishling Daly , Leinster
2 RoisinKennedy, Leinster
Unplaced 3rd.
1 Barry Mullin, Cycling Ulster.
MOONEY TROPHY RACE (Saturday)
1 D. Burke, Realt Tuam CC
2 M. McDevitt, 4 Masters CC
3 M. Storan, West Clare CC
4 D. Mooney, Eire OG
5 J. Brennan, Castlebar CC
6 D. Foley, Eire OG CC
Senior C: Gerard Parkinson, Laois CC
Veteran: Mickey Gallen, Omagh Whlrs CC
Lady: Cathy Hynes, Galway Bay CC
Cicli Sport Grand Prix 19/3/05
1. Roger Aiken (Banbridge CC) 45 Miles 2-19-47
2. Brendan Doherty (Planet X) st
3. Matthew Ward (Phoenix CC) @3secs
4. Peter Hawkins (Castlereagh CC) @8 secs
5. Mark Greer (Maryland Wheelers)
6. Willie Hamilton (East Antrim/Audi).
7. Paul Bloomer (Harps CC)
8. Tony Boyle (Slane Cycles)
Women
1. Julie Mulligan (Omagh Wheelers)
2. Trudy Brown (Northern /Dave Kane)
3. Jemma Donaghy (Phoenix CC)
4. Erin Turkinton (Clann Eireann)
5. Elaine Harte (Phoenicx CC)