Eve McCrystal claims a silver at World Paracycling Championships

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"245","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1021","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"200","alt":"Nathan McGreehan \u0026amp; Tomas McCabe"}}]]Ireland's Paracycling team of Katie George Dunlavey and Dundalk's Eve McCrystal have claimed a silver medal at the World Paracycling Championships in Greenville, USA on Sunday (August 31st) Competing in the tandem road race the pair were edged out in a sprint for the gold by the British pair of Lora Turnham and Connie Hall, with the Spanish in third. The Irish team had been in the US for the last 3 weeks becoming acclimatised to the stifling heat and humidity of North Carolina. On the previous Friday the Irish tandem duo had been unlucky to puncture in the time trial event, yet still managed to take 6th position. Also competing in the male tandem time trial and road race was Ireland's James Brown, with Dundalk's Bryan McCrystal, like his sister, acting as the pilot for the visually impaired athlete. The men posted top 10 results in both events but just couldn't quite make it onto the podium.

The last competitive event of the year went to Tomas McCabe when he won the Louth Hill Climb Championships ahead of Nathan McGreehan. Tomas also won the Leinster A3 event, with the main event going to defending champion James Davenport. In the women's event Annette Dolan took the gold ahead of Sandra O`Hagan.

Sunday also saw the final round of the Skoda Cycling Challenge descend on Louth. Fiona Rogers and Philip Kerely headed up a team that organised an excellent event for over 500 cyclists. An 80km route and 130km route were both on offer to the cyclists, taking in the likes of Ballymascanlon, RIverstown and the Long Woman's Grave. Good weather meant than more than expected tackled the longer route, but with a well stocked food stop at the Fairways Hotel everyone managed the distance. The club extends a huge thank you to the organising committee, marshals, drivers, Irish Red Cross, Skoda Ireland, The Fairways Hotel and St. Kevin's GAA Club.