McCann And Boyce Take Wins in Haldane

A record entry lined out today for the John Haldane Memorial Race in Hilltown. Promoted by Newry Wheelers there were two races down for decision. The A race was set off first with S2's, Supervets and strong Juniors getting a four minute advantage over the S1's. Mark Greer (Maryland) Gerard Heverin (Castlereagh CC) and Tommy Wilson (Ballymena RC) had opened up a 30 second gap by the end of the first lap but the bunch reeled them in.

The scratch group were also working hard and had reduced the handiap to just over a minute in one lap. Now it was the turn of Jonny Cole (Team Madigan), Gordon Scott (East Antrim Audi), Liam Curran (Team Currn Racing) and Sam Craig (North Down) to make a move. They broke away from the bunch just as scratch joined it. David McCann(Phoenix CC), Fraser Duncan and Team mates Martyn Irvine and Adam Armstrong, (Curran Racing), Ryan Connor (Usher IRC), Shaun Gray (Juiced Orchard), Tommy Wilson (Ballymena), Darren Weir (Dromara CC) and Michael Murray (Clann Eireann) gave chase and joined the break.

For the remainder of the race this group stayed away for the main part but were joined by Gary Cranston (East Antrim) Barry Monaghan (Newry Wheelers)and Brendan Graham (Castlereagh CC) in the last lap. Connor made valiant attempts to shake off the others but to no avail. Coming to the line at the end ot the five laps it was Curran and McCann who fought it out in the sprint with McCann just edging Curran out. Irvine took third position some seconds down with Duncan, Monaghan and Graham taking the remaining places.

The second race saw vets over fifty and women getting a five minute advantage over the remaing vets, juniors and S3 riders. From the word go a small group comprising Finbarr Cummins (Phoenix CC) Davy Quinn (Apollo CT), Martin Gray (Cuchullain CC), Noe Boyce (North Down CC) and Lakeland's Kenny Boylan broke away from the limit bunch and began to increase their lead.

Although the combined bunch behind worked well they did not take any real time out of the leaders. Three hundred metres from the line Cummins began to wind up for the sprint but Boyce was no dozer and was watching the moves. The two fought it out all the way up into Hilltown but on the line it was victory for Boyce. Cummins was second with Davy Quinn lifting third.

Despite the freezing conditions and inevitable hailstones it was an excellent event with a lot of aggrssive riding. Jonny Cole (Team Madigan) was a power horse at the front for much of the race only losing momemtum coming to the end. Both Stuart Henry (North Down) and Philip Bremner (Ballymena) were in the thick of the action all day.

However two riders must surely take the title as Riders of the day. Liam Curran once again proved that he is a man to watch. He has the ability to read a race and knows when to jump. Barry Monaghan (Newry) lined up with the S1's and hung in all day managing to take fifth position. For a man training to compete in this year's FBD Rás he must be pleased with his racing to date.

Congratulations also to the women who braved the conditions today. Kay Hack (Bann Wheelers), Julie Muligan (Omagh Wheelers), Rachel Withers (Fintona CC), Hannah Francis (Ards CC) and Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) all lined out and rode well.

Once again Newry Wheelers pulled out all the stops and the yellow jacketed marshalls were in evidence everywhere. Thanks must go to Hilltown GAA club for the tea and sandwiches. However they must have been overwhelmed when they saw that the mountain of food they put on the table diasappeared in a matter of seconds and it was back to the kitchen to make more.

On a different note many of you will be pleased that you did not travel to Newbridge today. Due to the conditions on Boston Hill the Commissaire rightly took the decision to postpone the race. See below a picture of the hill.

For more pics of the two races click the gallery links below

VIEW FULL GALLERY OF THE A RACE BY MARIAN LAMB


VIEW FULL GALLERY OF THE B RACE BY MARIAN LAMB

Report Tommy Lamb

Pics Marian Lamb

Results A Race John Haldane - Newry

1. David McCann (Phoenix CC) 60 Miles 2-35-22
2. Liam Curran (Team Curran Racing) St
3.Martyn Irvine (Team Curran Racing) @24 secs
4. Frazer Duncan (Team Curran Racing) @ 1-10
5 Barry Monaghan (Newry Wheelers) st
6. Brendan Graham (Castlereagh CC0 @ 1-17

Results B Race John Haldane - Newry 1. Noel Boyce (North Down CC) 36 miles 1-32-44
2. Finbar Cummins (Phoenix CC) st
3. Davy Quinn (Apollo) st
4. Martin Gray (Cuchullain CC) st
5. Kenny Boylan (Lakeland CC) st
6. Paul Wilkinson (West Down Wheelers) @ 2-00
7. Fergus Rooney (Phoenix CC)
8. William Forthsythe (Banbridge CC)
9. Paul McMinn (Team Curran Racing)
10. Rory Devlin (North Pole CC) all ST

The picture below by Carl Fullerton shows the close sprint for tenth between Rory Devlin (North Pole CC), Mark Sweeney (Omagh Wheelers) and Nathan Morgan (Newry Wheelers)