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Ulster Shine In Shay Elliott Memorial
Over 130 riders signed on for Sunday’s Shay Elliott Memorial Race hosted by Bray Wheelers. The Cycling Ulster squad of Fraser Duncan ( Northern Dave Kane), Martyn Irvine (Ards CC), Glen Kinning (CastlreaghCC) and Peter Hawkins (Castlereagh CC) were led by Mark Greer (Maryland CC) and Brendan O’ Brien (Roe Valley). The young riders had no previous experience of this calibre of race but were looking forward to the prospect. Fraser had bad luck last year in the event when he punctured at the wrong time and was unable to catch the bunch when he finally got service. He was determined this year to finish.
Brendan O ‘Brien rode the race a number of years ago as a Junior finishing in the placings. It was great to see him lead the chasing bunch over the final climb at Glenmalure. He powered up the hilll leaving a clear gap between himself and the other chasers.
The Ulster squad performed magnificently this year. Brendan O’Brien was almost assured of a top 15 placing but punctured 5 kilometres from the finish. The remainder of the squad all finished in the top 25 % of the field with Fraser Duncan winning the 2nd category prize.
Throughout the race the squad raced as a team with riders going back to bring Peter Hawkins back to the bunch after an early puncture.
Full marks must also go to the management squad of Noel Gallagher and Billy Armstrong who did a superb job over the weekend.
The team felt they gained much valuable experience by competing against top category riders. Glen kinning is determined next year to carry a few extra jelly beans to help him go faster over Glenmalure!!
Martyn Irvine, who only came into cycle racing last year, rode a stormer early on but cramped badly with just ten k to go. He said it was sharp learning curve and knows that the experience will stand him in good stead for futue events.
Congratulations also to the other Ulster riders in the event. David McCann broke away early on with a group oif eleven and was first over Glenmalure. He was only narrowly beaten in the final sprint. Myles McCorry (Apollo CC)still had time for a smile and a joke over Glenmalure while Paul Harte (Phoenix CC) was unfortunate to get held up by a bad crash at the Wicklow Gap. The Crannog boys rode well also while Brian Stewart worked hard all day for his team.
Other pics of the race can be viewed by clicking the gallery link below
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Murphy and Gunn Shay Elliott Memorial, Wicklow:
1, Kevin Dawson (Planet X) 160 kilometres in 3 hours 52 mins 10 secs
2, John Tanner (Planet X)
3, David McCann (Phoenix CC/Giant Asia)
4, Andy Roche (Isle of Man) all same time
5, Leigh Cowell (Recycling.co. uk) at 1 min 36 secs
6, Ciaran Power (Navigators Insurance) same time
7, Malcolm Elliott (Murphy and Gunn) at 1 min 38 secs
8, Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways.com) same time
9, Evan Oliphant (Recycling.co.uk) at 1 min 39 secs
10, John Dempsey (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) same time
11, Mark Lovatt (Planet X) at 2 mins 50 secs
12, Greg Roche (Fuji Bikes)
13, Anthony Malarczyk (Fuji Bikes)
14, Garret Jones (Fuji Bikes) all same time
15, Greg Swinand (Usher IRC) at 5 mins 13 secs
Senior 2:
1, Frazer Duncan (Cycling Ulster)
2, Andrew Cook (Isle of Man)
3, Mike Steed (Murphy Surveyors Kilcullen)
4, Barry Meehan (World Wide Cycles)
5, Ciaran Farrell (All Systems Dublin Wheelers)
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