On Sunday 6th Jan 2019 all roads for the CX racing fraternity will lead to the village of Fintona some ten miles south west of Omagh and the beautiful Ecclesville Demesne were Omagh Wheelers will make their debut as on host on the CX racing Calendar.
The Ecclesville Demesne will provide a stern challenge for all comers, providing the ideal final preparation for those chasing National Glory the following week in County Cork or a thrilling end of season day out for all of the CX fraternity especially those looking to burn of the Christmas calories.
The Ecclesville Demesne is a Two Hundred Acre Plus estate incorporating Fintona Golf Club, the Ecclesville Equestrian Centre and home to Fintona Swifts Football Club and recently has become the home to Omagh Wheelers CX crew. The estate is the perfect venue for CX racing with ample parking and excellent changing facilities.
The course promises to be quality and will incorporate many of the natural features of the demesne and also utilise a number of man-made feature normally associated with cross country equestrian events but with small modification make excellent additions to the CX course. The course will start in close proximity to the Ecclesville Centre, sweeping across the grassy park area and then in through the forest paths climbing up to an ancient rath with a fast descent down through the forest – The race will make its way back to the grass park and then over and around an equestrian bank before a technical section through some mature trees and back to the start finish, as a course it has something for everyone.
U6s – U12s will have their own course based predominately in the grassy park utilising the area around an old equestrian arena and the pond all in close proximity to the Ecclesville Centre.
Host club Omagh Wheelers are promising a big Omagh Welcome to everyone.
Omagh Wheelers Chairperson Sean Kelly is delighted to see the Club host this event
“IN recent years we have begun to promote CX to all members particularly our youth and are beginning to see it flourish in our club, so the next step was to host an event. Our CX team have done a fantastic job thus far and I know that the Ecclesville Demesne will quickly become established a one of the best CX venues in Ireland for both spectators and competitors”
Martin Grimley from the Ulster Off-Road Commission is also excited by this new venue,
“The growth of CX continues unabated and the emergence of new venues is good for the sport, The Ecclesville Demesne looks like being a great venue adding to some quality venues across ulster many of which we couldn’t use without the invaluable support of local councils”
