Second place finish for O’Shaughnessy in Belfast

Belfast’s Fall’s Park held the last round of the Ulster Cyclo Cross series on Sunday. The race was held over  laps of a technical, yet fast course, which was the usual mix of grass, forest and tarmac.

In the main race Cuchulainn Cycling Club’s Ray O’Shaughnessey showed that he is building form ahead of January’s National Championships with a second position in the main event. Ray was just a minute behind winner, Glen Kinning, who has dominated the series so far, winning every round he has competed.

Behind these other Cuchulainn riders had good races with Gary Shiels next home in 12th and fourth veteran, while Johnny McCabe was 16th and first supervet.  These good results were somewhat offset with bad luck befalling brothers Declan and Gerry McCabe, who were both forced to retire due to mechanical problems. In the B race Ray Fedigan continues to make good progress in the sport, having finished in 13th position.

On December 5th the club will head for the Spirit Store to celebrate all their achievements over the season. Prizes will be presented for the club’s competitions and all the Louth Championships. The event starts at 8pm and tickets are €10, available at the door.

Cuchulainn Cycling Club have huge turnout at Newry race

Alan Grey (far right) taking sixth place in the John Haldane Memorial Cycle Race

Cuchulainn Cycling Club had a huge turn out at Newry Wheeler’s John Haldane Memorial promoted on Sunday last. The race consisted of a 9 mile lap along the dual carriageway out to Warrenpoint and back and was run off in atrocious conditions, cold, wet and very windy.

In the main race, covering 54 miles, six Cuchulainn men were on the start line. Alan Grey, who had taken a prize the day before when racing in Summerhill, had a great day making it into the chase group and coming home in sixth position. Gary Shiels, Sean Loughran and Nial Clarke were very active throughout the race, while Colm Quinn was unlucky to puncture at the half way mark.

In the women’s race Cuchulainn had four women brave the conditions, Annette Dolan, Fiona Rogers, while Debbie Lundy and Rosemary Gibson were competing in their first ever race. Fiona had an outstanding race to come home in fifth, while Annette was riding well in the bunch all day, but was caught behind an accident some 5km from the finish.

In the masters race Jimmy Flynn was unable to defend his win of a year ago, coming home in eighth position. In the other support races Declan McCabe, Karl Dolan, Thomas McCabe, Gary Morten, Alan Bingham and Barry Douglas all finished safely in the main bunch.

The day before, Alan Grey, Michael Barry and Liam Dolan had competed in the main race in Summerhill, held over 55miles. Again Alan was on form taking second in the A2 prize.