Faugheen was the place to be on Monday night as 34 young boys and girls took to the start line of the first round of Ó Ceallacháins Youth Cycling League promoted by Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers. Our first race was a time trial held in bright but blustery conditions around the famous ‘Faugheen 50’ circuit. It was great to see so many newcomers to cycling.

Conor Power from Carrickbeg blasted around the course in 6 minutes and 8 seconds which was a remarkable time given the wind. Portlaw’s Aaron Kearney didn’t seem to be tired after winning on the previous day in Whitechurch, Co. Cork. He took second in 6.16. Rounding off the podium was Corey Kelly from Knocklofty with a time of 6.36.

Next week, the times will be put to good use as two races will be run off simultaneously. The stronger and older cyclists will face 3 laps of the 2.2 mile circuit, while the others will have one lap. The handicapper will ensure that all competitors have an equal chance of winning.

Young cyclists who missed out on the first week are still very welcome. All they need is a roadworthy bicycle and a helmet. Sign on is from 6.50pm onwards in the village of Faugheen near Carrick-on-Suir. See you there!

When people speak of sportives these days, they can often be heard asking each other ‘What route are you doing?’ or ‘I was hoping to do the 100km but now I think I’ll just opt for the 50km!’ Well that certainly isn’t the case for the upcoming Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive, which comprises of 1 Route, 8 Challenges and 160km of the toughest roads around the famous cycling town of Carrick-on-Suir.  The route which was designed by An Post Rás legend, the late Bobby Power, covers a combination of the hardest established climbs in the area including Mahon Falls and Seskin Hill, as well as the ascent of the famous Tipperary mountain of Slievenamon, before a finishing challenge on a ‘road’ through Lord Waterford’s beautiful Curraghmore Estate, that is a combination of the Strada Bianca of Italy and the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix!

This indeed is no family fun cycle and is aimed at serious cyclists with the mentality for the serious challenge that has earned the title of Ireland’s Toughest Sportive.

The route contains two food stops, the first being the principal tea stop will be situated just past the halfway mark, in the Rathgormuck Hiking Centre located at the foothills of the picturesque Comeragh Mountains, with a second water stop being located at around the 130km mark, manned by local Munster Time Trial Champion Hugh Mulhearne!

The closing date for entries is this Sunday 20^th May 2012, in order to facilitate the ordering of the specially commissioned t-shirt for each entrant.  This year’s t-shirt will have a slight variation on last year’s well received version in that they will adopt the event founders name into the title (Bobby Power’s Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive) as well as a colour change, taking on the pink of the famous Maglia Rosa of the Giro D’Italia, as the route was inspired by the infamous white roads of the 2010 event. Participates were very pleased with the design and quality of last year’s shirts, made from the more expensive ‘dri-fit’ material which they made great use of for both leisure and training activities in the following months.

So are you fit enough, strong enough and determined enough to complete this monumental challenge? Well if you are, check out the Carrick Wheelers website before this Sunday 20^th May 2012 and get your entry in for Ireland’s Toughest Sportive.

For more information and entries CLICK HERE.

Regular readers of this website, may have only come across the name Aaron Kearney for the first time last week, as his top 5 placing in the U14 Kanturk 3-Day earned him a mention as one for the future, however, little did Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers know that Aaron first win would come just six days later!

Yesterday (Sunday), Aaron Kearney of Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers, claimed the first win of his cycling career as he sprinted to victory in the U14 Ken O’Keeffe Memorial Cycling Race, promoted by St. Finbarr’s CC in Cork.

On this fine, but windy day, Aaron rode the perfect race as he monitored the action for the first half of the 10km event before instigating the winning move with 3km to go, as he and Richard Twomey (Cork County CC) broke away from the main pack.  This duo worked well together to reach the finishing straight, just a handful of seconds clear of the chasing group. Kearney, sensing that this could be his chance, made the first move, as he surged forward with his eyes fiercely focussed on the chequered flag.  It quickly became apparent his compatriot Twomey had no response, as all he could do was watch, as Kearney powerfully sped to the finishing line to take a fine win, with the Cork County rider, Twomey having to settle for second place.

This really was an exciting result for both Aaron and the club as now Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers can boast of Junior, U16 and U14 victories this season, which puts the club in an extremely healthy and positive position for forthcoming years.

U14

1 A Kearney (Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers)
2 R Twomey (Cork County CC)
3 R Dunne (Kanturk CC)

The first of many successful results for the Carrick-on-Suir club came from Carrickbeg’s Michael O’Loughlin, who was victorious in the U16 event’s opening stage.  In this all important opening stage, Michael broke clear as part of six-man group containing many of the pre-race favourites and as the race progressed, it was clear the first yellow jersey of the event would come from among them.

Coming into to finishing straight O’Loughlin launched his sprint with 250m to go and was successful in claiming a brilliant victory with a short length to spare on second place.

Michael’s success continued on the Stage 2 Time Trial as he completely dominated the opposition, posting an amazing time of 11minutes even for the 8km test. 

The young Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers rider then went on the successfully defend his yellow jersey on the final stage, claiming one of the biggest U16 prizes on offer on the Irish cycling calendar.

Next to impress, was Junior (U18) talent Sean Hahessy.  Sean has enjoyed some impressive form of late, with highlights such as last month’s hometown victory and a call up to The National Junior Development Squad giving him the confidence to set his sights high, even though he was participating in the senior event!  Having finished in the front group on the opening stage, Hahessy sprung to the fore of standings with his impressive Stage 2 Time Trial, as the 16 year-old almost pulled off a shock victory, posting a time just 3 seconds shy of the winning time.  Nonetheless, the Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers rider was delighted with his performance, which now placed him second overall on General Classification (GC), poised to strike for the coveted yellow jersey.  Stage 3 showed little movement on GC and even though a small group did successfully break away to take the spoils, their gap of just two seconds did little to change the overall standings, with both Hahessy and the yellow jersey finishing to the fore of the main field. 

As the near 100 strong peleton took to the start on Monday’s final stage, most of whom could be heard thanking the gods that the weather forecasters had gotten it wrong, there was a great sense in the air that the race leader could be toppled, with Carrick’s Hahessy among the favourite to do so.  Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for club’s latest talent to hit the headlines, as Dungarvan’s Mark Flavin successfully made it into the winning move, gaining a gap of 30seconds on the peleton at the finish line, to claim the overall victory, with Hahessy, finishing a bittersweet 4^th overall. 

Lastly, in the U14 event Portlaw’s Aaron Kearney was also to the front as he  finished in the top 5 in two of the three stages of the event, to claim an inspiring 5^th place overall for the Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers man.  Aaron has shown great improvement this year and with the famous Carrick club’s ability to ‘churn them out’, one wouldn’t bet against this young man going from strength to strength in the coming years.

In other events around the country Carrick Wheelers also tasted victory in one of the biggest cycling events in the country, as Ryan Sherlock won the final stage of the Tour of Ulster.  This victory in the 3-Day event was a remarkable result, given the field contained a number of British professional teams as well as Ireland’s top riders. Though Sherlock is not native to the Carrick-on-Suir area, he rides many events with the formidable club and will compete as part of the Iverk Produce Tipperary Team in the upcoming An Post Rás Professional Cycling Race later this month.

Also, in Wexford, Carrick Wheelers rider Kyle Crotty took his first ever victory as he won the U16 Frank O’Rourke Memorial at the weekend.  

Finally, on a sadder note, the Irish Cycling world was today (Monday) lamenting the loss of another Irish cycling legend, as Meath’s Seamus Kennedy sadly passed away after a long illness.  Seamus a former winner of the Rás Tailteann was well-known in cycling circles throughout Ireland and especially in these parts through a friendship that spanned the decades with the late Bobby Power whose one-year anniversary occurs this coming Sunday, May 13^th. One must only think that they are happily conversing about old times up there now!

Are you a boy or girl aged from 10 to 16 years? Would you like to try cycle racing?

Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers will once again promote our Beginners and Underage League in May and June this year. It will run for 6 weeks commencing on Monday evening 14^th of May In Faugheen village, Carrick-on-Suir. All that participants need is a roadworthy bicycle and a helmet.

2012 is the 5^th year of this league which has been generously sponsored since the beginning by Ó Ceallacháin’s Bar and Bistro. In 2010, the South Tipperary Sports Partnership also came on board and the final race of the series was held in National Bike Week for the last two years.

There will be two races each week – 1 lap and 3 laps of a safe 2.2 miles circuit used for the ‘Faugheen 50’ race. Registration takes place at 7pm, with racing beginning at 7.15. All racing will end at approximately 8pm.

The handicapper has a knack of ensuring that a number of riders will still be in contention for overall honours up to the final week of the league. Week 1 will be an individual  time trial, and the other 5 weeks will be road races. To facilitate those who may have to miss one event, the best 4 performances will count for points.

Please note that for insurance reasons, no under 10s are permitted to race on the open road.

In 2008, our winners were Paddy Bartley & Eamonn Maher. Jack Hickey & Kellie O’ Donnell were victorious in 2009 and in 2010 Jack Conroy and Sean Hahessy topped the podium. Last year, Luke Dunne and Elizabeth Moloney emerged victorious.

Both Sean Hahessy and Michael O’ Loughlin who have raced in the league for the last five years have received call-ups to the Irish National junior and youth squads.

As the event is generously sponsored, entry is free. All that is required is a roadworthy bicycle and a helmet. Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers even has a limited number of racing bikes which we will loan to promising cyclists who are interested in racing. So, on Monday evenings, Faugheen is the place to be.

For further information, contact Paul on 086 8718433.

Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers rider Michael O’Loughlin poses with model Hayley Ryan and Mark Downey during the Irish Talent Team 2020 photo shoot.  The team, which is now sponsored by FBD Insurance Group, consists of the top under-age cyclists in the country with its aim being to provide these youths with advice on best practices within the sport in addition to quality coaching and racing

Michael has enjoyed a successful season to date for 2012, with a number of top 3 placings, as well as an impressive solo victory in the U16 event at the Silver Pail GP Fermoy.

To check out some photos of the 2012 Tommy Sheehan Memorial Cycle Race by Joe Cashin click on the link below:
http://www.joecashinphotography.com/tommy-sheehan-memorial-60-mile-cycle-race/

First of the senior races to finish was the C Race, which entailed two laps of the difficult Kearney’s road circuit and  measured 60km in total.  As the race approached the finish line the cheering from the spectators grew louder and louder as they realised it was local publican Lenny Foley of Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers leading home the pack.  Lenny was indeed able to hold off his rivals to raise his arms for the customary victory salute in front of the home crowd.  The proprietor of Carrickbeg’s Whistler’s Inn spoke of his delight in taking his first win of the season having recently made a comeback to the sport after an absence of many years.  Lenny was an extremely popular winner of this event with both race rivals and locals alike, queuing up to congratulate the well-liked Carrickbeg man.

The next of the senior races to finish was the 80km B Race, which resulted in another victory for the promoting club Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers, as 16 year-old Sean Hahessy impressively soloed to victory in this 3 lap event.  This race can only be described as a process of elimination with the field of over 70 riders slowly whittling down throughout the opening two laps, leaving about 30 riders at the head of the race.  It was from this group that Hahessy made his brave solo attack with about 10km to go and soloed to all the way the finish line to take the victory.  Such was Hahessy’s gap on the rest of the field he took the time to enjoy this brilliant win in front of a home crowd that contained many of his friends and family members from the town.

Leading home the remainder of the chasing group was another Iverk Produce Carrrick Wheelers rider, Ray Cullen, as he finished 2^nd adding to his impressive tally of results so far this season.  This truly was a great result for the promoting club as they had taken the victory in the C Race and a one-two result in the B Race, the question on everyone lips at the finish line was, could they make it a clean sweep by winning the main event?

The final race of the day was the main event for the prize of the Tommy Sheehan Memorial Trophy and many of Ireland’s top riders had travelled to compete in this prestigious event.  This race entailed 4 laps of the Kearney’s Road circuit, measuring over 100km.  The ‘A Race’ exploded  from the first lap with a blistering pace set on the 4km climb of Kearney’s road resulting in the peleton splintering into many smaller groups, with Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers riders of Martin Mizgajski and Michael Lucey both riding well.  As the race enfolded, it was pre-race favourite Timmy Barry who drove clear with Mizgajski the only other competitor able to keep him company.  These two had opened up a one minute lead on the next group on the final lap and it became clear that the winner of the 2012 Tommy Sheehan Memorial would come from this duo.  The locals who had gathered at the finishing line hoping it would be Mizgajski that would appear into the finishing straight first to make it a clean sweep of victories for the promoting club, but unfortunately for them, it was Corkmen Timmy Barry who had opened up a small gap in the final few kilometres to win the 2012 Tommy Sheehan Memorial Race. Mizgajski finishing 2^nd, a remarkable result given the quality of the field, and Michael Lucey also of Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers finishing in 5^th position to complete the top 5 and a very successful day for the local club. 

In the under-age events, Carrickbeg’s Michael O’Loughlin was narrowly beaten in a three-up sprint in the U16 event, placing 2^nd just behind Dylan O’Brien of Kanturk CC, while Ryan Burke of Slaney CC won the U14 race and Laura Birchall of Fermoy CC besting the boys to win the U12 race. 

At the prize giving nephew of the late Tommy Sheehan and Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers Club Chairman, Bobby Sheehan thanked all those who helped to make the race a success, cyclists, commissaries, photographers, caterers and stewards, without whom the event could not take place.  He also thanked St. Molleran’s GAA Club for the use of their premises and Super Valu Carrick-on-Suir for sponsoring the food for this local event.  Sheehan finally thanked Paul Lonergan for the huge amount of work he did in the overall organising of the day’s events and ensuring that everyone enjoyed yet another great day’s cycle racing in Carrick-on-Suir!

2012 Tommy Sheehan Memorial Results

1. Timmy Barry – Dan Morrissey / Speedy Spokes
2. Martin Mizgajski – Iverk Produce Carrick Wheeelers
3. Sean Lacey – Dan Morrissey / Speedy Spokes
4. Mike Storan – West Clare CC
5. Michael Lucey – Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers
6. David Keneally – Cork County CC
7. Eddie Barry – Blarney CC
8. Richard Hooten – Visit Nenagh

B Race

1. Sena Hahessy – Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers
2. Ray Cullen – Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers
3. Stephen McGrath – Fermoy CC
4. Tom Fanning – Comeragh CC
5. Mark Gunning – Waterford RC
6. Stephen Murray – Dungarvan CC
7. Barry Twohig – Blarney CC
8. Brian Hart – Limerick CC

C Race

1. Lenny Foley – Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers
2. Martin Cashman – Unattached
3. Brendan O’Leary – Blarney CC
4. Joe Rossiter – Barrow Wheelers
5. Michael Martin – Coolford CC
6. Dermot Gough – Dungarvan CC
7. John Hodge – Fit 4 Spin
8. Vincent Maher – Dungarvan CC

U16

1. Dylan O’Brien – Kanturk CC
2. Michael O’Loughlin – Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers
3. Eddie Dunbarr – Kanturk CC
4. Stephen Shanahan – Limerick CC
5. Kevin Hayes – Ballymore CC
6. Henry Cooke – Limerick CC

U14

1. Ryan Burke – Slaney CC
2. Adam Thatcher – Slaney CC
3. Conor Healy – Fermoy CC
4. Dillon Corkery – Kanturk CC
5. Rory Dunne – Kanturk CC
6. Coleman – Unattached

U12                   

1. Laura Brichall – Fermoy CC
2. Eoin Birchall – Fermoy CC
3. Emily Birchall – Fermoy CC
4. Corey Kelly – Clonmel CC
5. Jonathon Cook – Limerick CC
6. Cian O’Keeffe – Comeragh CC

Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers will be promoting the second of their two annual cycling races this weekend, as they promote The Tommy Sheehan Memorial Cycling Race in Carrickbeg this Sunday, April 15^th 2012.

This race has been run annually since 1999, in honour of the cycling club’s former chairman Tommy Sheehan, who was also a founding member of the club back in 1954.  Sadly, almost 15 years have now quickly passed since Tommy’s untimely death on August 6^th 1997 when he was aged just 61 years. Tommy’s great love for the sport and his Carrick Wheelers Club, contributed hugely to establishing Carrick-on-Suir as the home of Irish cycling and his saying “I don’t care who wins the race as long as they’re wearing a Carrick Wheelers Jersey” is still quoted at the Cycling  Club’s events.

This year’s event will again be based in Carrickbeg, the homeland of Sheehan, with the race itself being held on the testing Kearney’s Road circuit, starting and finishing at St. Molleran’s GAA Field, whose clubhouse will be used as race headquarters with ‘Sign-On’ open from 11am.  There will be a total of six races promoted on the day with 3 senior events for the various categories and 3 under-age events for the different age groupings. The first of the under-age races will begin at 12noon, with the senior events starting at 1pm.

Picking a winner of the main event can be quite a task as each of the last 11 winners were first time winners, with local rider Brian Kenneally being the only two time winner, winning the inaugural event back in 1999 and again the following year in 2000. Corkman and former Carrick Wheelers rider Timmy Barry would dearly love to add his name to this prestigious trophy and has to be counted among the favourites, as do his team-mates Sean Lacey, last year’s winner, and Paudi O’Brien, former professional with the An Post Sean Kelly Team.  Hopes for the local club reside with former race winner John O’Shea; Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers new recruit Martin Mizgaski; and last year’s runner-up, the evergreen Martin O’Loughlin, also a previous victor.

In the other senior events, local publican Lenny Foley is hotly tipped to come up trumps, with up and coming talent Sean Hahessy, also expected to feature in the business end of things.

Local talent will also be on show in the under-age races with Irish International Michael O’Loughlin a clear favourite to win the U16 event, with Aaron Kearney of Portlaw aiming to be in the prizes in the U14 race.

So, why not come out to the Molleran’s Field this Sunday to check out the action, with four of the six races finishing between 2.30pm and 3.30pm, it promises to be a entertaining afternoon on the Coolnamuck Road!

On Sunday 15^th April 2012 the annual Tommy Sheehan Memorial Cycle Race promoted by Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers takes place in Carrick-on-Suir.  The club will be promoting races for both underage and senior riders, with a generous €1,000 prize fund.  Sign-On (€10 for seniors and €5 for underage) will be open from 11am and will be in the St. Molleran’s GAA Clubhouse, Coolnamuck, Carrickbeg, Carrick–on–Suir, with the underage racing starting at 11.30am and the senior events starting at 1 o’clock.

The promotions will be as follows:

The A Race                   

The A Race will be for 1^st and 2^nd Category riders and will begin at 1.00pm.  Prizes will be presented to the first eight riders and well as the prestigious Tommy Sheehan Memorial Trophy for the outright winner. The race will entail 4 laps of the Kearney’s Road circuit and will measure 100km in total.  This race on the testing Kearney’s Road circuit will be ideal preparation for any riders aiming to ride the upcoming Tour of Ulster and An Post Rás.

The B Race

The B Race will be held for 3^rd Category riders and will begin at 1.05pm.  Prizes will be presented to the first eight riders.  The race will entail 3 laps of the Kearney’s Road circuit and will measure 80km in total.  This race will be ideal preparation for any riders aiming to ride the upcoming Corkman 3-Day held over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The C Race

The C Race will be held for 4^th Category riders and will begin at 1.10pm.  Prizes will be presented to the first eight riders.  The race will entail 2 laps of the Kearney’s Road circuit and will measure 50km in total.  This testing circuit gives 4^th Category riders who have become tired of their events finishing in bunch sprints plenty of opportunities to attack from the main field and form that elusive winning breaking.

The U16 Race

The U16 race will be held for riders under 16 yrs and will begin at 1.15pm approx.

The U14 Race

The U14 Race will be held for riders under 14 yrs and will begin at 11.30am approx.

The U12 Race

The U12 Race will be held for riders under 12 yrs and will begin at 11.30am approx.

Tommy Sheehan Memorial Past Winners

1999 – Brian Kenneally – Cidona Carrick Wheelers

2000 – Brian Kenneally – Cidona Carrick Wheelers

2001 – Vincent Gleeson – West Clare CC

2002 – John O’Shea – Cidona Carrick Wheelers

2003 – Ciarán Power – Navigators Pro Cycling Team

2004 – David Peelo – Usher IRC

2005 – Martin O’Loughlin – Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers

2006 – Ray Clarke – Worldwide Cycles

2007 – Paul Griffin – Giant Asia Pro Cycling Team

2008 – Sam Benett – Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers

2009 – Joe Fenlon – Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers

2010 – Cathal McCarthy – The Edge Racing Team

2011 – Sean Lacey – The Edge Racing Team

Tommy Sheehan Memorial Combined/Senior 3 Race Past Winners

2000 – John O’Shea – Cidona Carrick Wheelers

2001 – Barry Meade – Kanturk CC

2002 – Miceál Concannon – Killorglin CUCC

2003 – Liam Ryan – St. Finbarr’s

2004 – Michael Hennessy – Fermoy CC

2005 – Jeff Hanrahan – Clonmel CC

2006 – Fergus Keogh – Cycleways/myhome.ie

2007 – Sam Bennett – Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers

2008 – Cathal McCarthy – Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers

2009 – Tom Shanahan – Limerick CC

2010 – Thomas Lavery – Comeragh CC

2011 – John Murphy – Fermoy CC

Tommy Sheehan Memorial 4^th Cat. Race Past Winners

2010 – Barry Griffin – Comeragh CC

2011 – Brian Cullen – Barrow Wheelers