Cuchulainn Cycling Club's summer league went into round 4 on Thursday night last. The race was 40km long, over 2 laps of a circuit which tackled Dromin hill from the Ardee side. With high temperatures, strong winds and over 300m of elevation gain, a hard race lay ahead for the riders.
Group 3 was the first group to start and immediately underage rider Callum McCaffrey of Cuchulainn CC attacked and opened up a sizable gap. Not long after Gareth Moran set off in pursuit and eventually overtook McCaffrey. Behind group 4 had caught group 3, whom had splintered on the first ascent of Dromin Hill.
Just before the second ascent of the hill, group 5 caught up to the other riders and at this stage all were together bar Moran who continued to lead the race. On the hill, league leader Joseph Mullen of Navan Road Club quickly attacked and opened a sizeable gap, which he maintained up the hill. However on the long descent to the finish he was reeled back in by the senior riders, as here Mullen was at a disadvantage as rules mean the underage riders are not allowed to push as a big a gear as their senior counterparts.
At the line Moran took an impressive solo win and behind him Rostervor's Conor Murphy won the sprint for second, ahead of defending league champion James McEneaney of Moynalty.
In the support race, Shane Harty beat out two Cuchulainn riders in the shape of John Loane and Gerry Kenny in 2nd & 3rd respectively.