Marcus Unbeatable in Ulster '25' Championships

In today's Ulster '25' mile Championships hosted by Team Madigan, Strabane teenager, Marcus Christie (Usher IRC) was the the star of the show. Not only did the 17 year old first year Junior set a new 25 record in a time of 52.47 and lift the gold medal in the Junior category, but he was fastest of the 46 competitors and thus claimed the gold medal for the Senior Championship.

It was a remarkable ride by this newcomer to the sport on a morning when conditions were not ideal as there was a strong headwind all the way out. Among the first to congratulate him on his achievement were veterans Billy Kirk (Ards CC) and Cormac McCann (Phoenix CC).

Among the senior riders John Madden (Bann Wheelers) lifted gold in the Veteran's competiton and silver in the Senior competition in a superb time of 52.53 with Ryan Connor (Eurocycles) taking bronze in a time of 52.55. Silver and bronze in the veterans competiton went to Ivan Robinson (Ards CC) and Jim McConnell (East Antrim Audi) respectively.

On age standard the following results have now been worked out.

Ulster Veterans Championship on Age Standard
1. Cormac McCann (Phoenix CC) 13mins 22secs ahead of standard (Gold)
2. Billy Kirk (Ards CC) 13mins 18 secs (Silver)
3. Ivan Robinson (Ards CC) 10mins 18secs (Bronze)
4. Jim McConnell (East Antrim Audi) 9mins 14secs
5. John Madden (Bann Wheelers) 9mins 7secs

The team medals go to East Antrim Audi who are by now past masters in the team event.

Dane Dunlop (Lakeland) and Jonny Cole Team Madigan completed the line-up in the Junior category while Kay Hack (Bann Wheelers) was the winning woman.

Andrew Fitzgerald of the Cycling Ulster Disability commission had the misfortune to go off course with his tandem partner Con Collis (Ravens CRT) losing over seven minutes. They would have come in well under the hour had this not happened.

Pic by Jim Lavery


If Team Madigan Did Time Trials... Team Madigan put on a splendid show this morning with lots of helpers on hand and a very welcome picnic to follow the event. All TT's should be like this. Perhaps we should propose that they do all the TT's from now on...

Seriously though on behalf of Cycling Ulster We would like to thank Madigans for hosting this Championships so well. We would also like to pay tribute to all our riders throughout the season for making the The Dave Kane Time Trial League into the friendliest league in the country. Today no-one was in a rush to get away and there was good craic and friendly banter following the event. Mind you the food certainly helped. With the Omagh lads Richard Lyons and Brian Mimnagh travelling down today to take part in their first TT, perhaps next season we will see more riders joining us in making the League even more successful. Omagh Wheelers were also showing off their new signing, Slovakian, Ondrej Slobodnik, who may well prove to be one to watch out for next year.

Story and Pics by Marian Lamb (unless otherwise stated)


Woodgreen 25 Championships results
Marcus Christie Usher IRC 52.47 PB (New All Ireland Junior Record)
John Madden Bann Wheelers 52.53
Ryan Connor Eurocycles 52.55
John Heverin Clann Eireann-Linen Green 53.04
Kieran McKenna East Antrim 53.10
Paul Brady Emyvale 53.13
Thomas Martin Clann Eireann-Linen Green 53.38
Ivan Robinson Ards CC 54.38 PB
Gary Cranston East Antrim 54.46
Dane Dunlop Lakeland CC 54.51
Jim McConnell East Antrim 54.58
Gordon Scott East Antrim 55.04
Ondrej Slobodnik Omagh Wheelers 55.31
Ernie Magwood East Tyrone 56.05
Simon Stockton Team Madigan 56.10
Brendan Duddy Foyle CC 56.32 PB
Jonny Cole Team Madigan 56.42
David Heagney East Tyrone 57.20
Chris Meenan Phoenix CC 57.21
Mark Watson Ards CC 57.45
Richard Lyons Omagh Wheelers 57.51
John Hunter North Down 57.59 PB
Kieran O'Doherty U/A 58.06
Shane McAteer Bann Valley 58.21
Mel McCann Team Madigan 58.54
Peter Vance Emyvale 58.57
Philip Bremnar Ballymena 58.58 PB
Brian Mimnagh Omagh Wheelers 59.09
Mark Smyth Bann Wheelers 59.13
Dominic Drumm Bann Wheelers 59.37
Seamus Walshe Phoenix CC 59.48
Russell Callaghan Bann Wheelers 59.53
Cormac McCann Phoenix CC 60.00
Billy Kirk Ards CC 60.04
David Neill Team Madigan 60.11
Colin McCluskey Team Madigan 60.32
James McLaughlin Island Wheelers 60.54
Enda McDaid Apollo 61.06
Brendan McCartan Phoenix CC 61.41
John McAuley Apollo 61.45
Jason Henry U/A 62.06
Collins/Fitzgerald Slieve Gullion Wheelers 62.23
Harry Martin Clann Eireann-Linen Green 63.09
Kay Hack Bann Wheelers 63.43
Geoff Swann Team Madigan 64.10