The final Interclub league race of 2010 on last Tuesday evening on the Bluestone circuit produced no big surprises. Overall leader Michael Murray punctured half way through, and left it to clubmate John Heverin to take the sprint at the finish from the dozen riders still in the hunt. Four other Clann Eireann cyclists made it into the top ten finishers. They were Conor Grimes, 4th, Michael Murray, getting back from a wheel change in 6th, Barry Grimes 7th and Ryan Beagan 8th.
The overall league results show that the Clann Eireann riders dominated the league from the early stages, taking in the final summing up,first team of the four participating clubs, Michael Murray was best overall individual in both Time Trials and Road events, with Conor Grimes and John Heverin filling second and third spots. Another Clannsman, Kenny McConaghy won the handicap award. Best amongst the veteran riders, were Noel McLoughlin ( Island Wheelers ) , Davy Quinn (Apollo ) and the Clann’s own supervet, Harry Martin.
2010 has been the Clann Eireann cyclists most successful year in the league for some time . It has also been one of the most competitive years, running over nineteen weekly events that began last April, and with more than forty cyclists facing the starter on a regular basis.
The open cycle road racing season is nearly over, and a good many riders are hanging up the racing wheels for a while. There are however a few Clanns riders still with some ambitions. John Heverin is aiming for a medal wnning ride in next weekends Ulster “25” time trial Championship, and Conor Grimes is making the long trip to Waterford for the Irish “B” Road Championship. Good wishes also go to former Clann Eireann cyclist Thomas Martin, who has been selected to race on the Irish team at the Tour of Britain stage race next week.
Of course not all cyclists are boy racers, and quite a few non racing locals did the “Lap the Lough” last weekend. Special congratulations go to Malachy McConville, who was probably well able to get round the eighty odd miles himself, but it was for the attitude of his three cycling sons who, the day before the event, claimed that if he could not get round himself, they would make sure that he did.
There is to be a short charity run next Sunday 12 September, in aid of Suicide Awareness. It is open to any cyclist or non cyclist, and participants can register at Clann Eireann Clubrooms from 9.15AM till 9.30AM. Covering around 15 miles around Aghagallon and Bartins Bay, organiser Gerard Cavanagh assures us that there will be marshals and technical support around the circuit, and a “wee cuppa” afterwards.
Declan Mulhoulland became the latest new star among Clann Eireann cyclists at last weekends Irish Youth Cycling Championships, contested by one hundred and fifty young cyclists from all over Ireland.The championships, divided into age categories took place in and near Coalisland over two days, and Declan had to compete in three different types of races.
First off was the time trial on Saturday morning, and Declan had a great start winning that from Tipperary cyclist Michael O’Loughlin The same afternoon short circuit racing in the town of Coalisland took over. Throughout that race, Declan raced forcefully in the front group, and at the end of an exciting race, was just pipped to the post by Ballymena cyclist Aaron Swann.
In Sundays longer road race proved to be a difficult one, and many of the competitors in Declan’s event began to show signs of tiredness. The race broke up into small groups, and the young Lurgan rider did well to take sixth in that last one Ciara Mulhoulland, Declans older sister was also taking part in one of the older age groups. Although Ciara was very unlucky to get caught up in a stoppage just after the start of her event in Coalisland, she recovered to finish the short circuit event well but out of the top ten finishers. Again, while contesting the finish of her road race on Sunday, Ciara was slightly delayed by another fallen cyclist, but did extremely well to recover again and take sixth place against the best boys in the country.
Last weeks Interclub time trial resulted in another win for Michael Murray. There is just one final league race remaining, but it looks like Murray is already a runway winnr of the overall league Sunday 12 September,starting from the Lake Street clubrooms at 9.30 am. At just 17 miles, out round Aghagallon , Bartins Bay and back again, it is designed for ordinary non competitive cyclists to do, while raising a little money for charity at the same time. Non cyclists and former Clann riders are welcome, for a gentle spin that should take around an hour, Refreshments will be provided.
Last weeks Interclub League race was at Annaghmore was well supported, with forty five riders taking the start. John Heerin once again showed his class, winning the bunch sprint several lengths ahead of another Clannsman, Michael Murray. Ever improving Barry McConville was fourth, and the other Clann’s rider in the top ten was Conor Grimes. With just two events remaining in the league, Heverin and Murray appear to have the overall result sowed up already, and it only remains for it to be seen whether the two of them can continue to dominate things as they have done up till now.. When in form, Orchard Wheelers Robert Anderson can leave most of his seniors behind, and there are several others such as Tony Haire (Apollo ) and Richard Davison (Island Wheelers ) who could spoil their extraordinary run of wins in the league.
The final Interclub league race takes place on the Ballydougan circuit next Tuesday (31 August ) at 7 PM.
Six Clann Eireann riders signed on for the Cycling Ulster Time Trial league at Warrenpoint last Thursday evening. On a wet night, the event was won by Giant Asia professional David McCann. John Heverin led the Clanns to fourth on the night, recording an exact 21 minutes. Conor Grimes was timed at 22.09, Michael Murray at 22.14.Kenny McConaghy at 23.35, Harry Martin on 24.29 and Warren McNeill on 24.41.
The Clann Eireann riders were also in action at two open road races over the past weekend. On Friday evening, Heverin, Murray and Grimes rode the Banbridge clubs main short circuit event at the Outlet Centre. Heverin was best, finishing seventh, but Conor Grimes was the man who really got the Lurgan fans excited, playing a star role in the leading group for much of the race, and holding on well when the scratch group caught them. In the support race at the Outlet, Jerome Donnelly and Noel Mulhoulland found the going tough, but the experience useful.
The Ulster Senior Championship took place n Sunday at the Dundrod circuit. With over three hours to race on what is widely regarded as the toughest circuit in the country, only Heverin survived to the end,, just about making the top ten finishers.
Next weekend the emphasis switches to the youth, where Clann Eireann have brother and sister, Declan and Ciara Mulhoulland competing in the Irish Youth Championships, in Coalisland. The Championships take place over two days, Saturday and Sunday ,and between one and two hundred competitors from all over Ireland are expected. The Mulhoullands will do well to repeat the very successful run they had at last years Championships, when Ciara was voted the best girl on the weekend and Declan in a younger age group was also in the medals.
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Declan Mulhoulland became the latest new star among Clann Eireann cyclists at last weekends Irish Youth Cycling Championships, contested by one hundred and fifty young cyclists from all over Ireland.The championships, divided into age categories took place in and near Coalisland over two days, and Declan had to compete in three different types of races.
