Lynch claims Carroll Memorial

John Lynch, who rode for the M Donnelly team in this year"s Ras na hEireann, proved best in the Brendan Carroll Memorial cycle race at Stamullen on Saturday. True to form the torrents of rain came down just as almost 70 riders were lining up for the start of the race which Lynch won in the colours of the Bray Wheelers CC. The senior race was contested over seven laps of a course with primes in Stamullen village on very lap. Right from the drop of the flag the racing was aggressive and unrelenting. The first prime was won by Stephen McNally from Orwell CC in Dublin. McNally was leading a six-man breakaway group which was eventually caught on the ascent of Cottage Hill on the second lap. Then as the race progressed a four-man group went clear with the acceleration forced by Skerries cyclist Stephen Halpin, who races with the Bio Agrico team in Belgium. With two laps remaining this breakaway group was joined by four more riders, including Robert Moore from the promoting club. Just then Lynch jumped clear of the leaders and put in a spectacular performance to hold a slim lead to the finish line, just 11 seconds over a fast-finishing group of four riders. Second place went to Halpin, for the second year in succession while Derek Burke (Usher Irish RC) finished ahead of Robert Moore (Stamullen M Donnelly) in fourth position. Michael Reddin (Dublin Wheelers) was fifth and Daniel Kirwan (Usher Irish) crossed the line in sixth position. In the junior (u-18) section, Axel O"Connor from Laois CC emerged best, with Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers) securing second place. Earlier in the day, the under-age races were held in much more favourable weather conditions and there were some very good local performances. In the u-12 category Elizabeth Corbally and Siobhan Murtagh, both members of the Navan Road Club finished third and fourth respectively. Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers) secured second spot in the u-14 category while Aidan Wall (Navan RC) was fourth. Two top under-age riders in Meath fought it out for the u-16 race with victory going to Clonard CC rider David Boyd as he finished ahead of Javan Nulty, a close second. Following the races the prize presentation was made in Whytes"s Function Room and Stamullen M Donnelly club chairman Gay Howard thanked all of the cyclists for turning up and making the event such a great success. He went on to say some kind words about the late Brendan Carroll who was a former member of the club and who lost his life tragically at a young age, stating that Brendan will always be remembered by those involved in the club. He also thanked the sponsors John & Mary Carroll (parents of the late Brendan) and Michael Crowley from Navan (WDC) UPVC Aluminum Ltd, pointing out that without their backing the races just could not take place. A special mention was reserved for the race stewards who stood out in the very heavy rain for the entire race, the Civil Defence, Order of Malta and the Garda whose valuable assistance was much appreciated. Last Monday night Drogheda Wheelers CC held the first leg of the annual Mark Mullen Memorial Handicap League. This league was very well supported with riders travelling from as far away as Ballymena and Bray. At the end of this league race, only inches divided 16-year-old Javan Nulty and Robert Moore, both members of the Stamullen club with Dylan Rafter (Winning Solutions) third and Colm Laverty (Navan RC) in fourth position. Siobhan Murtagh (Navan RC) was best in the u-12 race with Cathal Clarke (Drogheda Wheelers) second while third and fourth places went to Nicola Farrell and Luke Farrell both members of the Navan RC. Next weekend will be the climax of the season for the under-age cyclists when the South East Road Club promotes the All-Ireland Youth Championships for all underage riders from 11 to 16 year-olds. These championships will be held in Inch which is a small village close to Gorey. The first event of the weekend will be the time trial which will be held over a distance of 5.5km on Saturday morning at 10.0. Then on Saturday afternoon the Criterium (short circuit race) will take place and will be held over a 1.9km circuit. On Sunday morning the concluding championship will be held and this will be a road race. There will be gold, silver and bronze medals for each age group in each event. It is widely expected that a number of these medals will come back to the north-east in the hands of cyclists such as Nulty, David Boyd (Clonard CC) and Ryan Mullen (Navan RC) in the u-15 championship. The Campbell twins, Daragh and Ciaran, are also expected to feature in the u-14 championship. In the u-11, 12 and 13 events it is expected that the Navan club should scup a number of medals. Also on Sunday Carlow CC will promote the Mark Hayden Memorial in Carlow. This is a new race added to the calendar in recent weeks and will cater for senior riders. There will be no Mark Mullen Memorial League on Monday, 13th July, as the Junior Tour will be taking place in the west of Ireland. The third leg will go ahead on the following Monday (20th) July in Donore, 7.30.