Val gets club first win of 2013

With the 2013 season only a weekend old Cuchullain Cyclin Club have wasted no time in racking up the results. On Sunday last (March 3rd) riders were flying the town's colours in races in Navan and Newry. Val Gargan lined up for the A4 race in Navan and when the dust had settled he had emerged as the winner, taking the chequered flag ahead of a hard chasing pack. This is an outstanding victory for Val and the club's first of what is sure to be many over 2013.

Meanwhile in Newry at the John Haldane Memorial race the club picked up a number of prizes. In the combined Vets and Women's race Jimmy Flynn was in fine form and despite being active all day had enough left to take second position in the mass sprint at the end. Eve McCrystal suffered a puncture early on in the race, now while this set back may have caused many a rider to climb off and accept that it wasn't there day Eve knew her daughter was on the sidelines and wanted to see her mammy finish. Eve quickly got a new wheel and chased back to the main bunch just in time to finish second in the sprint for first women. In total the club had 4 women racing, with Gretta O'Connor, Annete and Breda Dawe all racing along with Eve.

In the A4 race also in Newry, Richard Murphy got himself into the winning break on the 3rd of 4 laps. The large group of 9 riders worked well together to form a gap over the main bunch, were Murphy's teammate Gary Morten kept a close eye on any of those attempting to chase down the escapees. In the sprint Richard took a fine 3rd place, his first result on what will most likely be a quick route to A3 racing. In the main race of A1, A2 and A3 riders the club had over 10 riders involved with a number of fine performances.

While some of the club were off racing, a huge group of club cyclists headed off to Killeavy on Sunday morning to complete a 60km charity cycle, raising money for Down Syndrome. However the Cuchullain cyclists were not happy with just 60km, so they cycled from Dundalk in the morning and home again to clock up a nice even 100km for the day. The spirit of the club could be seen when Philp Kerley suffered his 3rd puncture of the day and while looking at the prospect of phoning home for the broom wagon up steeped Sarah Fagan with a spare tube. Next Sunday the leisure cyclists will head to Camlough for their cycling event. Check out the club Facebook page for more details.