Locals riders prominent at Kilmessan racing
Navan Avonmore Road Club promoted two days of top class racing at Kilmessan last weekend with the Beechmount Cup on Saturday which attracted over 60 riders for the 40km event with victory going to John Murray (Lakeside Mullingar). Chris Reilly (Bohermeen) finished fourth. In the A2 category, Colm Laverty from the promoting club finished second behind Mark Kiernan (Murphy Surveys) while in the A3 category it was Colm Crawley (Stamullen M Donnelly) who proved best claiming top spot. In the A4 category, David Whearty (Swords McNally) crossed the line in first place while Simon O'Dea (Navan Avonmore) was second. The Collins/Christle Memorial over 80km was the highlight on Sunday for seniors, plus a separate ladies National League race over 60km. The Collins/Christle Memorial attracted 70 riders and Brendan Whelan (Stagg Lucan) crossed the line in first place. Colm Bracken was second while Stamullen's Craig Sweetman secured third place. Meath cyclists dominated this A2 category with Derek Hussey (Navan Avonmore) claiming the win, Gary Gorman was second and Matt Kelly third, both members of Stamullen M Donnelly. There was another Meath victory in the A3 race when Chris Reilly (Bohermeen CC) edged out his opponents. Best of the locals in the A4 category was Mick Nulty (Stamullen M Donnelly) who was third. In the Ladies Classic League race, Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen CC) rolled back the years when she claimed victory. Wendy Bates finished second and Sarah Piner (Lakeland Mullingar) was third. There was also the Leinster Youths' championships for u-12, u-14 and u-16 riders. The u-16 championship finished in a mass bunch sprint with Thomas Fallon from the Birr-based Wolftrap CC snatching the gold medal from Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda). The bronze medal was won by Sean Rigley (Eurocycles CC). Paul Dargle (Stamullen M Donnelly), a relatively new recruit on the scene, finished fourth while James Lynch from the promoting Navan club was fifth. In the u-14 championship, Darragh Long (Orwell) took the gold medal. Best placed local was Siobhan Murtagh (Navan Avonmore) who secured fifth position. Adam Thatcher (Slaney CC) in Wexford won the u-12 championship. RESULTS Beechmount Cup - 1, John Murray (Lakeside Mullingar); 2, Mark O'Hara (Lakeside Mullingar); 3, Eugene Murtagh (Ravens). A2 - 1, Mark Kiernan (Murphy Surveys), 2, Colm Laverty (Navan Avonmore). A3 - 1, Colm Crawley (Stamullen M Donnelly); 2, Paul Bracken (Slipstream). A4 - 1, David Wherity (Swords McNally), 2, Simon O'Dea (Navan Avonmore). Collins/Christie Memorial Race - 1, Brendan Whelan (Stagg Lucan), 2, Colm Bracken (Murphy-Surveys), 3, Craig Sweetman, (Stamullen M Donnelly). A2 - 1, Derek Hussey (Navan Avonmore), 2, Gary Gorman (Stamullen M Donnelly), 3, Matt Kelly (Stamullen M Donnelly). A3 - 1, Chris Reilly (Bohermeen), 2, Liam Browne (Murphy-Surveys), 3, Kazimierz Javkowk (Henry J Lyons). A4 - 1, Anthony O'Neill (unattached), 2, David Costello (Naas), 3, Mick Nulty (Stamullen M Donnelly). Ladies - 1, Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen), 2, Wendy Bates (LOW), 3, Sarah Piner (Lakeside Mullingar). Leinster Championships: u-16 - 1, Thomas Fallon (WTCC), 2, Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers), 3, Sean Rigley (Eurocycles); u-14 - 1, Darragh Long (Orwell), 2, Fintan Ryan (Sorrento), 3 Niall Heffernan (SERC); u-12 - 1, Adam Thatcher (Slaney), 2, Reece Young (SERC), 3, Rachel Kaye Mellor (Orwell).