As is now tradition in Carrick-On-Suir the Landy Cup, Tommy Sheehan and Bobby Power Memorials were held in ideal spring racing conditions. A record field with upwards of 300 riders signing on for each of the three races which is a testament to our club and its sponsors in a time where many domestic races are being cancelled. A special thank you must be given to Morris Oil for their continued support and to all the clubmen and women who helped out on the day to make it so enjoyable for all the competitors. With 3 races on the cards taking in our newly designed Kilmacthomas circuit, which was introduced last year, the day was sure to provide very entertaining and competitive racing.
In the A4 event run over two laps and totalling 80 kilometres local clubman Keith Barry took the honours with an impressive win from a reduced bunch sprint. The race started in the usual rapid fashion with groups coming and going but nothing sticking. Passing the line after the completion of the first lap the group was visibly reduced and with one lap of the tough rolling circuit to go it was sure to favour a strong all-rounder. Hitting the lumpy part of the circuit coming out of Kilmacthomas with just 15 kilometres to go Keith hovered around the front biding his time for a race winning effort. On the last drag just one kilometre from the finish line a select group of 20 to 30 riders rode clear amongst them was Keith who, timing his sprint to perfection, romped home in first place for a very popular win.
The Tommy Sheehan Memorial for A3 & Junior riders provided some very aggressive and entertaining racing over the 2 laps of the circuit. A group forged clear early on containing Panduit Carrick junior Cathal Purcell along with around 15 other riders who rode well together pulling out a significant gap over the main field. These riders stayed clear onto the second lap where they were joined by a trio of junior riders from Cork Giant. With a strong numerical advantage in the break the Cork Giant riders put in an impressive ride forging clear on the road from Kilmacthomas to the finish and coming home with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Carrick Junior Cathal Purcell led home the remnants of the breakaway coming in an impressive 6th place.
In the main event, The Bobby Power Memorial, for A1/2 riders equally aggressive racing was displayed over the 3 laps, 125km, of the circuit. On the main road out to Mahon Bridge attacks were coming from each side of the road with every move being shut down by the eager riders. The group remained together until the road started to go upwards after Kilmacthomas were a 5 man group forged clear with some big names contained in it, this quintet was joined a couple of kilometres later by clubman Jamie Blanchfield and 2 other riders. The break worked well together but with a strong chasing presence behind the race was all back together around 30 kilometres later. A brief lull in the action followed but the pace of the bunch never dropped. Coming towards the last drag before the finish on the second lap Blanchfield put in an acceleration and was joined by 3 riders a couple of kilometres later. This group was then joined by a further group of 4 containing another clubman Martin O’Loughlin and local rider Conor Hennebry. This was to be the decisive move of the day with Philip Lavery and Conor Hennebry forging clear around 8 kilometres from the finish setting the scene for a two up sprint with Lavery taking the honours. Blanchfield was caught by a select group of 4 riders containing local man Michael O’Loughlin, this group fought it out for the remainder of the places with Blanchfield coming home in 8th place.
Full Results Below:
A1/2 125km
1. Philip Lavery Unattached
2. Conor Hennebry Aquablue
3. Sean McKenna Aquablue
4. Michael O’Loughlin Wiggins
5. Darragh O’Mahoney Kanturk
6. Mike Storan Moda
7. Sean Lacey Aquablue
8. Jamie Blanchfield Panduit Carrick
A3 80km
1. Robert O’Leary Giant Cork
2. Dylan Corkery Giant Cork
3. Ronan Tuomey Giant Cork
4. David Kyle North Tipp Wheelers
5. Dermot Gergan Gorey Slipstream
6. Cathal Purcell Panduit Carrick
7. Conor Murphy Kanturk
8. Don Feighery Waterford Racing
A4 80km
1. Keith Barry Panduit Carrick
2. James O’Connor North Tipp Wheelers
3. John Treacy Comeragh
4. Keiran Merriman Waterford
5. Eugene Blanchfield Sleivenamon Cycling Club
6. Jimmy Treacy Raparee
7. Goethe Macleod Dungarvan
8. Eoin Hickey Youghal
Image Credit: Sean Rowe
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