The Griffin Flies Again

The cream of Irish cyclists rose to the top today in Donegal when North Pole CC hosted the National Hill Climb Championships at the infamous Mamore Gap in Inishowen. The event attracted over 50 entries from all over Ireland which must be a record for any Hill Climb held in the country. Fastest on the day was international Paul Griffin (Earl of Desmond) who made the long journey from Tralee to storm up the mountain road in an amazing time of 6-49.

He was 17 seconds faster than Meath’s Mark Dowling (Engraveit.ie) which is a big margin considering the less than 2 kilometre distance of the climb. Last year’s silver medallist Ryan Sherlock (M.A.D.) had to be content with bronze finishing in a time of 7-31. Northern riders gained some consolation with Ballymena’s Conor McAllister filling 4th spot and the Lakeland CC trio of Robbie Bryson, Dane Dunlop and Raymond Dunlop winning the team medals.

The action continues tomorrow in Inishowen when North Pole CC promote the National “B” Road Race Championships for second and third category riders. The race begins at Ballyliffin at 1pm and should attract a huge field with a number of cyclists hoping to be promoted in the ranks for next season.

For a few more pics click the gallery link below.

VIEW FULL GALLERY BY MARIAN LAMB

Report Tommy Lamb
Pics Marian Lamb

RESULTS:
National Hill Climb Championships – Mamore Gap
(Provisional Results)
Paul Griffin Earl of Desmond 6.49
Mark Dowling Engraveit.ie 7.06
Ryan Sherlock M.A.D Mtb 7.31
Conor McAllister Ballymena-Scott Tiles 7.35
Robbie Bryson Lakeland CC 7.38
Simon Coughlin Donomo Dynamos 7.46
Mark Buchanan North Pole CC 7.52
Dane Dunlop Lakeland CC 7.56
Raymond Dunlop Lakeland CC 8.03
Cathal Smyth Phoenix CC 8.11
Conor Murphy Usher I.R.C. 8.12
J.J. Conway Harps CC 8.15
John McGarrity Harps CC 8.16
Paul Bloomer Harps CC 8.19
Leo McAllister Ballymena-Scott Tiles 8.25
Cian Hogan Earl of Desmond 8.26
Brian Thursby-Pelham U/A 8.26
Peter Doyle Swords 8.28
Fergus Rooney Phoenix CC 8.31
Gavin Keane Donomo Dynamos 8.36
Barry Doyle Harps CC 8.53
Keith O'Doherty U/A 8.58
Kenny Boylan Lakeland CC 9.01
Matthew McDowell U/A 9.04
Sean Keenan Omagh Wheelers 9.11
Martin Robb Bann Valley 9.15
Rory Devlin North Pole CC 9.15
Peter Hughes Emyvale 9.16
Kieran Eccles North Pole CC 9.17
John Neill Phoenix CC 9.21
Sean McFadden U/A 9.21
Billy Bourke Castlebar 9.23
Kyle Houston Castlereagh 9.23
Paul McMenamin Omagh Wheelers 9.24
Daniel McLaughlin North Pole CC 9.31
Joe Doherty U/A 10.28
Raymond Doherty North Pole CC 10.29
Sean Bradley North Pole CC 10.36
David Eccles North Pole CC 10.54
Philip Porter North Pole CC 10.55
Dominic Drumm Bann Wheelers 10.58
Jim Doyle North Pole CC 10.16
Emmet Downey Four Masters 11.06
Tonya Moran Phoenix CC 11.10
Patrick Morning Four Masters 11.19
David Stewart Foyle CC 11.22
Glen McDaid North Pole CC 11.41
Sandra Daniel North Pole CC 14.20
Willie John McLaughlin North Pole CC 14.31
Mairead Devine North Pole CC 14.41
Brian Gerraghty Kilcullen DNF

Picture of Conor McAllister by Dermott Sweeney