Picture courtesy of Ciaran Fallon.
Record numbers turned up in Carrick on St. Patrick’s Day when 170 senior cyclists from all over the country took part in the annual Carrick Wheelers Cup races, and the good weather, excellent marshalling and plenty of cheering spectators made for another memorable day’s racing in the town. First held in 1955, this was the fifty sixth staging of the race that has had different names and sponsors over the years. This year the club decided to revert back to the old name of the Carrick Wheelers Cup as we welcomed a new sponsor on board, with Thomson Funeral Home of Waterford backing this historic event for first time. With the new sponsor came a new record number of participants, and 48 riders lined up in the first / second category event, and an amazing 122 riders in the third / fourth category race. The main race was dominated by the new Cork city team, The Edge, and in Sean Lacey they had the man in form as he had won two races already this season. He was part of a five man group that broke clear of the main field on the first of three laps of the 21 mile Glenbower circuit, which also contained last year’s winner Robin Kelly of Comeragh CC and Kevin Shelly of the promoting club, Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers. This group pressed on to open a decisive advantage on the main field, and on the final lap Lacey turned on the power to split up this leading five man group. Kelly was the only one who could stay with the impressive Lacey, and soon these two were well clear of the others and racing back to Carrick for the finish. The tough uphill finish suited Lacey as he was clearly the stronger of the two, and he stormed clear up to the finish to win by 20 lengths from the gallant Kelly who had put up a great defence of his title. The remainder of the breakaway group were absorbed by the chasing bunch before the finish, and Richard Hooter of Kanturk Town CC won the sprint for third place. The huge field in the support race made for a very impressive spectacle as they raced around the same race route, and although there were numerous breakaway groups formed on the first two laps, there was always someone willing and able to pull them back. On the final lap nine riders eventually broke clear and opened a decisive advantage on the main field, and again the tough uphill finish was to prove decisive. A Cork city team again provided the winner but this time it was St. Finbarrs CC Pat Ahern who proved strongest as he had three lengths to spare over Brendan McLoughlin of Blarney CC, with local rider Michael McGrath of Comeragh CC coming home in third place. Spare a thought for the defending champion Martin O’Loughlin of Carrick Wheelers as a bad crash the previous week forced him out of the event. .So a great day’s racing for all involved, and Carrick Wheelers would like to thank everyone who helped to make the day a success, especially the Davin GAA club for the use of their premises, Martin Brophy for his truck as the podium, and of course the local Gardaí and Civil Defence for their help in keeping the race safe for the cyclists. A final word of thanks to our new sponsors, Thomson Funeral Home, who enabled the club to give a generous prize list to the top ten in each race and continue the great tradition of cycle racing in Carrick on St. Patrick’s Day.
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