Leinster & Louth Hill Climb Report, plus national medals for Lisa Neary

Cuchulainn Cycling Club hosted its last open event of the year with the staging of the Leinster & Louth Hill Climb Championships. Over 50 riders signed up for the unenviable task of trying to get up the 2kms of Jenkinstown hill as fast as possible. Before the event kicked off the official record for the climb stood at 4:37, set in the early 90s by then junior rider Alan Bingham.

Fastest on the night & setting a new record for the climb in a time of 4:35 was South Dublin CC rider James Davenport. James edged out Cuchulainn's Ray O`Shaughnessey by 7seconds, with Stamullen rider David Wherty in joint third with Orwell's Brian Aherne. The women's Leinster title went to Isabel Cogan in 6mins flat, ahead of Bohermeen's Geralinde Gill and Calire McEntee in 3rd. The women's race was a very tight affair with only 4 seconds separating 2nd through to 5th.
Cuchulainn had a clean sweep of the Leinster Junior podium with Aimhirghin O`Brannagin winning ahead of Nathan McGreehan and Ultan Stokes. The vets category saw the club take another medal with Johnny McCabe taking bronze, the gold going to Philip O`Flaherty of Swords.
In the Louth Championships the podium for the ladies was Breda Dawe, edging out sister Annette by a mere second & Eve McCrystal in 3rd. The Senior medal went to Ray O'Shuaghnessey ahead of Colm Quinn, with Thomas McCabe in 3rd.
Also in action recently at the Junior National Track Championships was Lisa Neary, winning a bronze in the 2km Pursuit & backing that up with another bronze medal in 12 lap scratch. Lisa also competed in the 500m time trial, where she missed out on a 3rd medal by less than 3seconds.
Another lady from Dundalk going well is Eve McCrystal, who has been selected for the Leinster Team for the upcoming international stage race the An Post Rás na mBan. The 4 day event features 6 stages in & around Ennis Co. Clare & attracts some of the best female cyclists from across Europe.
Finally the club will be running it's annual overnight trip on October 5th to Monaghan. Details can be found at www.dundalkcycling.com