The 16th edition of the McCann Cup took place in dry, but bitterly cold conditions at Fintona on Sunday 18th March. A record number of entries from across the north and south travelled to Fintona for the popular race sponsored by Ballmore Services. A full suite of races was on offer including Womens, Masters, A4, A3 and the main A1/A2 race.
In the A1/A2 race, a full field took to the start line with the A2 riders getting a handicap advantage of 3mins. However, the A1s behind quickly got to business and 7 riders broke away from the 40 rider pack and bridged the 3min gap after only 25miles of racing. An intense period of attacking following, after which 10 riders then went clear: Darnell Moore, Craig McAuley, Mark McClure and Mark Buchanan (Caldwell Cycles), Ronan McLaughlin & Craig Rea (Viner-Caremark-Pactimo), Gareth O’Neill (Newry Wheelers), John Buller (Banbridge CC), Conor McCann (Inspired Cycling) and local rider Marc Potts from Beragh.
The 10 riders quickly established a gap and continued to pull away from the rest of the field. That stayed the position until with 2 laps to go, the group exploded after an array of attacks. Once the dust settled, 3 riders lost touch including McClure, O’Neill and Buller. The lull didn’t last long as Potts and McLaughlin attacked again driving the pace which would distance a further 2 riders: Buchanan and Rea. That left 5 riders at the head of affairs. As the group started the final lap, Potts attacked again and after a final flourish of attacks McAuley and Potts forged ahead leaving the 3 riders behind to battle it out for 3rd. The leading duo built a gap of almost 1minute by the line, with Commonwealth Games rider Potts taking the verdict over McAuley from Caldwell Cycles. Team-mate Darnell Moore topped off the podium.
Race Organiser Hugh McCann gave thanks afterwards to everyone who helped make the event a massive success: main sponsor Ballymore Services; JB Plant; PSNI; local clubs Strabane-Lifford CC, Termon Wheelers, and Omagh Motor Club; local residents, Carnlea Catering; St Patrick’s Hall Fintona; Ian Barfoot, Cycling Ireland Commissaires; and all the many helpers and volunteers from Omagh Wheelers CC…without everyone’s help such a quality of event would not be possible.
A1/2 race – 70 miles
1. Marc Potts (Unattached)
2. Craig McAuley (Caldwell Cycles)
3. Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles)
4. Ronan McLaughlin (Viner-Caremark-Pactimo)
5. Conor McCann (Inspired Cycling)
6. Craig Rea (Viner-Caremark-Pactimo)
7. Gareth O’Neill (Newry Wheelers)
8. Mark Buchanan (Caldwell Cycles)
9. Richard Maybin (Team Madigan)
10. Alan Bingham (Newry Wheelers)
A3 race – 60miles
1. Cahir Doyle (Powerhouse Sport)
2. Nathan Keown (North Down CC)
3. Caolem McCarter (Donegal Bay CC)
4. Adam Ward (Powerhouse Sport)
5. Breandan Flanagan (Powerhouse Sport)
6. Conor Halvey (NRPT)
7. Oisin Doherty (Donegal Bay CC)
8. Nigel Connolly (Strabane-Lifford CC)
9. Keelan Carberry (Four MastersCC)
10. Stewart Graham (Strabane-Lifford CC)
A4 race – 40miles
1. Patrick Cahill (Harps CC)
2. Adrian Kelly (Termon Wheelers)
3. Craig Crawford (Ballymena RC)
4. Barry Mullin (Termon Wheelers)
5. Daniel McIlreavy (Causeway CC)
6. Kieran Meehan (Clogher Valley Wheelers)
7. Gerard Doyle (Dromara CC)
8. Thomas McCaul (Newry Wheelers)
9. Simon Curry (Armagh City Cyclists)
10. Kevin Doherty (Carn Wheelers)
Womens – 30miles
1. Selina Sweeney (Termon Wheelers)
2. Jane Wilkinson (Bann Wheelers)
3. Meta Johnston (Team Madigan)
4. Patricia White (Spires CC)
5. Tonya Moran (Foyle CC)
6. Jennifer Holmes (Phoenix CC)
7. Samantha Convery (Carn Wheelers)
8. Laura Wylie (Maryland Wheelers)
9. Lorraine Jeffers (East Tyrone CC)
10. Aileen Goddard (Spires CC)
Masters – 30miles
1. James Gault (Phoenix CC)
2. Colin McCloskey (Apollo CT)
3. John Rafferty (Ards CC)
4. Paul Kirk (North Down CC)
5. Uel Cunningham (Ballymoney CC)
6. Henry O’Neill (Newry Wheelers)
7. Gerard Maguire (Phoenix CC)
8. Simon Gill (Foyle CC)
9. Kieran McGrory (Lakeland CC)
10. Bill Johnston (Team Madigan)
Interview with Marc Potts – https://youtu.be/dyXK1cq-kUg
Video of A1/2 Finish – https://youtu.be/8jGG6Ys6ioI
