Meath Trail Blazers win Race Around Ireland category

Meath Fire Blazers took the honours this week in the 1,175km Race Around Ireland in a time of 77 hours and one minute to win the eight-rider team classification.

Captained by Brian Rogers with Trim native Ian Caldwell, Matt Smith, Gary Ayton, Barry Quinn, Seán Mulligan, Thomas Nelson and Gavin Shipp all sharing the riding duties, they raised much-needed funds for Meath Hospice in the three-day event.

The team relayed throughout in a relentless tour of the island racing across the toughest terrain in European ultra-cycling and in some  inclement weather.

Meath Fire Blazers have led throughout and finished clear of their nearest opponents Team Spokes Women and at the finish at Trim GAA Club had over 100kms in hand over the second-placed team. 

Ultracycling Legend Joe Barr slept for less than three and a half hours in five days of non-stop bike riding and claimed two wins from two starts but it was anything but easy for ultracycling hero who revealed this Race around Ireland was likely to be his final ride on home soil.