Local cyclists prominent at Dunboyne and Carlow

There was an unprecedented entry for the annual St Patrick's Day Race at Dunboyne with 320 cyclists turning up. The large numbers who took part meant that the race attracted one of the biggest entries for a single day's cycling event anywhere in the country. Because of the huge numbers it was decided to hold two separate races, a combined A3 and A4 event and an A1, A2 category race. This race was contested over a distance of 60km and conditions on the day were perfect. Racing was fast and furious right from the drop of the flag over a relatively flat circuit. Navan Road Club were well represented by Colm Laverty, Ray Keegan, John Kenny, James Lynch, who has now moved into A3 from A4 where he continues to improve, and Simon O'Dea. Those cyclists had a two and a half-minute start and soon had their lead sharply reduced by the punishing pace of the scratch group and the finishing line came just in time with Brian Ahern (Orwell) managing to hold off Paul Kennedy (McNally Swords). Then, 20 seconds later, the sprint for the fastest time of the day was won by Stamullen's Craig Sweetman. In the A3/A4 race, more local riders finished in the prizes with second and third filled by Sean Gilbride and Niall Eustace both from the McNally Swords club. In the A4 race, Kenny finished second, his third successive placing in as many weeks which augurs well for the future. On Sunday the action switched to Carlow for the Des Hanlon Memorial, the first major event of the year. This particular race is always an extremely tough event held over a distance of 150kms, which included many hard climbs. After 20kms, a 15-man group broke clear, but by the time they reached the 100km mark, this group had dwindled down to five riders who held a lead of one minute, 35 seconds over the next group. With 30kms remaining the five leaders, Sean Lacey (Cork), Greg Swinand (Usher IRC), Peter Hawkins (Decock Sportivo,Belgium), Mark Dowling (Dectek Dunboyne) and Anthony Walsh (UCD), had their lead reduced to one minute by a lone rider, Colin Robinson (Stamullen). A further 10kms down the road Robinson was joined by Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) and while they continued to reduce the gap on the leaders, they narrowly failed to make contact before the finish line where Swinand snatched victory from Hawkins with Lacey third, Dowling fourth and local man Colin Robinson finishing in seventh place. This was a top class performance by Robinson. In the A3 race, also held at Carlow over 80kms, Chris Reilly (Bohermeen) finished second, Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen) finished second in the ladies race. This Saturday, 26th March, the Stagg Cycling Club in Lucan will promote the Stagg Lucan GP for all category riders at Batterstown. On Sunday, Cuchulainn (Dundalk) will hold the annual Traders Cup over a distance of 86km. RESULTS Usher IRC St Patrick's Day race at Dunboyne - 1, Brian Ahern (Orwell Wheelers); 2, P Kennedy (McNally Swords); 3, P O'Keeffe (South Dublin); Fastest - 1, C Sweetman (Stamullen); 2, S Franzoni (Kilcullen); 3, N Delahaye (Dectek). A3 - 1, D Mortimer (Epic MTB); 2, S Gilbride (McNally Swords); 3, N Eustace (McNally Swords); A4 - 1, J Kohler ((Bray Wheelers); 2, J Kenny (Navan); 3, J Kelly (Dublin Wheelers). Des Hanlon Memorial: A1/A2 - 1, Greg Swinand (Usher Irish Road Club), 3hrs.46mins.28secs; 2, P Hawkins (Decock, Belgium); 3, S Lacey (The Edge CC) same time). A3 - 1, S Butler (Dungarvan); 2, C O'Reilly (Bohermeen); 3 J. Morgan (Blarney CC). A4 - 1, J McCormack (Lucan); 2, B Cullen (Barrow Wheelers); 3, P O'Brien (Orwell Wheelers). Ladies - 1, Michele Geoghegan (Moving Ladies, Holland); 2, G Gill (Bohermeen); 3, S Pinner (Lakeside Wheelers).