Friday last saw Cuchulainn Cycling Club hold its Christmas Awards Night in The Spirit Store. The night is a celebration of the club's achievements over the past 12 months and gives special recognition to those working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Club Person of the Year is always one of the most hotly anticipated Awards, as it is giving in recognition of work done organising events and generally helping out in the club. This year the club had 2 such outstanding members that it was jointly awarded to Jason Boyle and Liam Burns. Liam was very involved in the club's off road program & was the driving force behind the club's off road league & a number of other events. Jason meanwhile is more involved in the leisure side of the club, which like the off road section, continues to go from strength to strength. The leisure event of the year is the Tour of Louth, which had in excess of 500 entrants in 2017.
The Cuchulainn Spirit Award was presented to Veronica Leiva. Vercoinca's work, as the women's rep, has been crucial in growing the membership of the club. In addition to her work on club rides, she also implemented a number of non cycling related activities that helped to grow the club's social side.
Winner's of the years leagues were recognised, with PJ Hynes taking the 9th Wave MTB League ahead of Colin McGeown & John Kane. Niamh McKiverigan was the first lady. In The Bike Station Summer Cycling League Alan Bingham succesfully defended his 2016 win, with Jamie O`Hare in 2nd & John Loane in 3rd. Michael Treanor was the winner of race 2. The Paddy Neary Perpetual Memorial Trophy was presented, by Mrs Betty Neary, alongside Ray Fedigan of the Bike Station.
Leisure cyclists of the year awards were presented to Tony Richardson & Martin Yore for the men, while Roisin Richardson was the female leisure cyclist of 2017. Clodagh Malone was honored as the most improved female cyclist of the year, with Dale Copas taking the same award for the men. PJ Hynes & Alan Bingham were recognised as the off road & road racing cyclists of the year.
Finally on the night a special award was made to Philip Kerely, a long standing member of the club who has worked tirelessly over the years, in particular in helping to develop underage cycling.
CLUB AWARDS
2017 Leisure Cyclist of the Year
Tony Richardson & Martin Yore
2017 Female Cyclist of the Year
Roisin Richardson
2017 Road Racing Cyclist of the Year
Alan Bingham
2017 Off-Road Cyclist of the Year
PJ Hynes
2017 Most Improved Male Cyclist
Dale Copas
2017 Most Improved Female Cyclist
Clodagh Malone
2017 Cuchulainn “SPIRIT” Award
Veronica Leiva
2017 Club Person of the Year
Jason Boyle & Liam Burns
2017 XC MTB League
Sponsored By 9th Wave
1st – PJ Hynes
2nd – Colin McGeown
3rd – John Kane
1st Woman - Niamh McKiverigan
2017 Bike Station League
The Paddy Neary Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Presented by Mrs Betty Neary & Ray Fedigan
Group Winners
Group 1 – Gavin Rafferty
Group 2 – Richie Kieran
Group 3 – Martin Harvey
Group 4 – Shaun Paul O’Shaughnessy
Group 5 –Macdara O’Graham
Group 6 – Barry Convery
Race 1 Winner
1st – Alan Bingham
Race 2 Winner
1st – Micheal Treanor
Over-All Winner
1st – Alan Bingham
2nd – Jamie O’Hare
3rd – John Loane