Picture courtesy of Ciaran Fallon
The esteemed history of Rás Luimní promoted by Limerick CC which dates back to the 1950’s played its part in attracting a high class field of athletes, principally from the Munster and Connacht provinces and well as riders who made the trip from Leinster. The most notable of these was Sean Lacey of the Cork based Edge Racing Team who has notched up 4 victories already for 2010, including the Carrick Wheelers Cup held in Carrick on Suir on St. Patrick’s Day.
As the race unfolded a group of 12 riders went clear from the large main field midway through the 125km event. This leading group included the pre-race favourite of Lacey, as well Kevin Shelly and Andrew Aherne both of Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers. As this leading group headed out on the last of their 25km laps the group had almost a minute lead over the peleton and it was looking as though the winner would surely come from this leading dozen. Inside the 10km to go banner it was Lacey who attacked in an attempt to solo to victory, and he strongly opened up a 30second gap on the 11 other break-away riders. However, it was Aherne’s team-mate Shelly who did a huge amount of work on the front of the break-away to close down Lacey and this set it up for an exciting sprint finish. As the riders entered the final kilometre straight the crowd could see all 12 riders speeding down to the finish line. This group raced inside the final metres and it was clear the winner would come from Aherne or Lacey as they were neck and neck sprinting for the line, but it was the pure speed of Aherne that pushed him ahead to cross the line with his arms raised and a bike length to spare over his rival!
Andrew’s impressive victory in Limerick is his first major win of his cycling career as well as his club’s first of 2010. This success gives the Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club and the now inform Aherne great confidence going into Ireland’s biggest four-day event, Rás Mumhan, in which they will be competing in this Easter weekend.
1 Andrew Ahern Dan Morrissey
2 Sean Lacey The Edge Racing
3 Michael Storan West Clare CC
4 Paul Giblin Galway Bay
5 Keith Gater Comeragh CC
6 Patrick Clarke Castlebar CC
7 Richard Hooton Kanturk
8 Jarlath Hassett West Clare CC
9 Siobhan Horgan E.S.G.L
10 Kevin Shelly Dan Morrissey
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