Fiachra O Mhuire takes Sean Nolan Grand Prix Cup

Fiachra O Mhuire from the Dunboyne DID Cycling Club put in a strong finish to win the Sean Nolan Meath Grand Prix Cup in Navan on Sunday. The annual and popular event was contested over three laps of an undulating course covering a distance of 75 miles and it was O Mhuire (pictured) who had the reserves of energy required to claim top spot. It was at the start of the second lap that O Mhuire and Conor Murphy from the Eurocycles club broke clear from the main bunch. Their lead was 20 seconds at one stage, but they extended that to 50 seconds on the last lap with the chase led, for the most part, by Ryan Sherlock (Cycleways) and Greg Swinand (Usher). With the main bunch bearing down fast on the leaders, it looked like it was going to be a free-for-all sprint in the approach to the finishing line. However, the two leaders managed to stay out in front to fight out the finish with O Mhuire just about doing enough to stay ahead of Murphy who had to settle for second place. Third position was secured by Robin Kelly (Waterford) a mere four seconds back. The senior A2 section was won by Paul Flynn from the Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers CC with two locals John Mason (DID Dunboyne) finishing second and Declan Byrne (Navan RC) crossing the line in third place. The senior A3 race which was held over two laps of the same course finished in a bunch sprint which was declared a dead heat even with the aid of a photo finish camera between Eoin Morton (UCD) and Barry Griffin (Comeragh CC). A nine-man break got away in the A4 race which was contested over 84km where the gap also was never more than 20 seconds for almost a lap. The breakaway was reduced to six riders on one of the drags and suddenly opened to over two minutes on the bunch, but victory went to Jim O'Rourke from Western Lakes CC in Mayo with Ray Coogan (Stamullen M Donnelly) finishing a very close second. Karol Lynskey (Bohermeen) secured third place with a strong display. In the junior section, Craig Arrigan (DTC Orwell Wheelers) claimed victory with Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers) finishing second and Aidan Wall (Navan RC) third. The Frank Reilly Memorial Trophy was presented to Navan Avonmore man Pat Doocey for the club championship. RESULTS A1/A2 (75 miles) - 1, Fiachra O Muire (DID Dunboyne) 2:53:27; 2, Conor Murphy (Eurocycles); 3, Robin Kelly (Waterford Racing); 4, David Walsh (Slaney CC); 5, Colm Bracken (Murphy Surveys); 6, Brendan Whelan (Cycling Pursuits); 7, Derek Finnegan (Liverpool Century); 8, Daniel Clifford (DID Dunboyne); 9, Javan Nulty (DID Dunboyne); 10, John Horgan (Dan Morrissey); unplaced A2 1 - 1, Paul Flynn (Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers); 2, John Mason (DID Dunboyne); 3, Declan Byrne (Navan Avonmore) A3 - 1, Eoin Morton (UCD) and Barry Griffin (Comeragh CC) dead heat; 3, Ciaran McKenna (Emerald); 4, John Maguire (SERC); 5, Shane O'Donoghue (WRC); 6, Rory Farrell (Staggs Lucan); unplaced juniors - 1, Craig Arrigan (DTC Orwell Wheelers); 2, Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers); 3, Aidan Wall (Navan Avonmore). A4 - 1, Jim O Rourke (Western Lakes); 2, Ray Coogan (Stamullen Fast Lane); 3, Karol Lynskey (Bohermeen CC); Patrick Smith (Dublin University); 5, Ben Delaney (Wexford Wheelers); 6, Kenneth Berry (Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar). Womens National League - 1, Sara Ortiz (Black Rose Racing); 2, Melanie (Spath Cycleways); 3, Amy Brice (Phoenix CC); 4, Eve McCrystal (Garda CC); 5, Francine Meehan (Tullamore); 6, Anne Dalton (DTC Orwell Wheelers). Last week Clonard CC promoted the Enfield GP with victory going to John Priest from Lucan CC. Local men to the fore here were Gary Gorman (Stamullen M Donnelly) who was seventh while his team-mate Matt Kelly finished first senior A2 rider. Gerard Dunne from the Clonard CC put in a big performance to secure second place in the Kathleen O'Sullivan Memorial race for senior A3 and senior A4 riders promoted by Swords McNally Cycling Club at Ballyboughal on Wednesday evening of last week. The race was contested over a distance of 60kms. The race was won by Adam Swirydowicz from the Swords club who headed a 10-man leading group in the approach to the finishing line. He particulary looked strong in the dash to the line to clinch a home victory with Dunne second and Donal Daly from the Garda club securing third spot.