Conor Murphy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) repeated his 2004 success in Stamullen when he won the Joey Whyte Memorial Cup yesterday.
Murphy led home a clean sweep by Northern riders, with Tommy Evans (Terry Dolan.com), Ryan Connor (Ballymena RC) and Martyn Irvine (Ards CC) taking the first four places between them. Connor had gone clear of a 12 man breakaway group on the final lap of the 72 mile race, then Evans, Murphy and Irvine closed up to him with about six miles left to go.
A succession of attacks followed, with Murphy finally managing to break the elastic inside the final two miles and solo in to a fine win. Evans jumped away from Connor to take second, 6 seconds later, while Irvine came in a further ten seconds down to place fourth.
Saturday’s Brendan Carroll Memorial victor Craig Sweetman of the promoting Stamullen M. Donnelly club won a four man sprint for fifth, 2 minutes and 42 seconds down. He beat Philip Finegan (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group), Matthew Ward (Usher IRC) and Denis Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union CC) in the gallop. Patrick Moriarty (Diamond T) and last week’s Ben McKenna Memorial victor Neill Delahaye (Usher IRC) came in a further four seconds back, while Mick Steed (Murphy Surveyors) and Brian Taaffe (All Systems DWCC) rounded out the top twelve.
Murphy was delighted with his win, especially as he just finished a course of antibiotics on Friday. “I won here as an under 14, under 16, junior and now twice as a senior,” he told the crowd at the finish line. “I’m happy to take the victory today. It was a savage race – the course is hard and there was a very strong wind today. Tommy and Ryan were going well out there, we were all attacking and I was lucky that mine was the one which worked out.”
How it unfolded:
There was a good turnout of riders for the 6 lap, 72 mile Senior 1 event, run off in dry but unexpectedly cold weather. As was the case with the other events, racing was neutralised until after the Naul village on lap one due to a large funeral there. By the time the riders crossed the start/finish line a group of approximately 12 riders had gone clear, including Connor and Phil Finegan (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group). These were just a couple of seconds ahead of the main bunch, though, so it was early days yet.
One lap later a dangerous looking move of about 20 riders had been established. Evans, Sweetman, Eugene Moriarty (Myhome.ie/Cycleways), Finegan and his team-mate Morgan Fox were amongst those present. By the end of the third lap things had changed again, with Irvine about ten seconds clear of a large group of 30 to 40 riders. The rest of the field was further back in another big group.
Those who would fight it out for the final win were becoming more prominent the next time round. Murphy, Evans, Connor, Paddy Moriarty plus others came through with a lead of one minute and two seconds over the next riders, with another big group over two minutes down and well out of contention. The speed continued to ramp up and as the leaders came through to take the bell, Murphy and Denis Lynch had a slight lead over eight others. Mick Steed (Murphy Surveyors) was about a minute back, chasing hard but facing a long, lonely slog in trying to get back to the front of the race.
With less than twelve miles remaining the final ascent of Snowtown hill was crucial to the final outcome. Connor was riding strongly and opened up a 25 second lead over the top, but Murphy, Evans and Irvine were able to get back on approximately three miles later. From that point the leaders started attacking each other in a bid to get clear for the win; Irvine was fading, while Evans, Connor and Murphy each opened up gaps but were then brought back. Finally, Murphy kicked hard and was able to break the elastic, soloing in towards the village of Stamullen and taking his second Joey Whyte Memorial Cup win in three years. Evans got the better of Connor for second, while Irvine slipped back somewhat but still took fourth. Sweetman sprinted in at the head of a small group for fifth, beating Finegan, Ward and Lynch in their gallop.
Speaking to IrishCycling.com after the race, Murphy revealed that he didn’t feel very strong at the start. “I was on a ten day course of antibiotics until Friday because I had a sinus infection,” he said. “My legs were very heavy at the start of the race so I didn’t expect to do well, but they got better as the day went on.”
“I got into the break and then Ryan Connor attacked the last time up the big climb. Myself and Tommy went after him, then Martyn Irvine got up to us. We got him back, then after that there was a load of attacking until I got clear.”
Murphy has contested two big international races with the Murphy and Gunn team. “We rode the race in South Africa (the Giro del Capo) and then the Paths of King Nikola in Serbia and Montenegro. The team is super, very professional. I was supposed to go to Belgium with them but missed out because of that sinus problem. My first big goal now is to do well in the Rás, get up on a stage or in the overall.”
Tommy Evans finished second and was pleased with his performance. “It was a good race, a bit like when the championships were held here. It was pretty aggressive. I haven’t been doing much since the Commonwealth Games so I felt a bit stuffed at times…I was able to go with the jumps but wasn’t able to follow through as much as I normally would.
“Ryan was very strong there today, but he didn’t really use his head, as regards tactics. He was following me around a bit – anytime I made a move, he was marking me. He got a good gap on the hill, crossing the summit with a lead of about 25 seconds, but myself and Conor rode hard and caught him by the second roundabout. Martyn was yo-yoing a bit on the hills but was riding fairly well, too.”
When asked about his goals for the season, Evans said that his priorities have changed. “I’m based here now so I can’t ride at the same level as when I was racing a lot in France. I miss that a bit, but as I am married I’ve got to be based here now. I couldn’t keep at it for ever over there, either! As a result, I’m not really doing international races…I’m not at the same level as before and I don’t want to be doing them just to finish. My main goal now is to have a bit of fun. I’d like to aim for a stage win in the Rás, that would be a target.”
Support events:
There was a strong turnout for the other races being run, and credit must go to the organisers Gabriel and Kay Howard plus the rest of the Stamullen M. Donnelly team for holding a separate Senior 2 event. This has been somewhat of a rare occurrence this year, making it hard for some riders to keep motivated in the face of a tough slog against the senior 1 competitors. In response to this, the 48 mile event was run off at a fast pace with good, aggressive racing and a constantly changing situation at the front illustrating the benefits of separating the categories.
With two laps to go approximately 12 riders were clear, this number including St. Tiernan’s duo Andre Engemann and Dylan Rafter. While Rafter slipped back to the bunch, Engemann had gone on ahead by the time he took the bell for last lap, holding an approximate half-minute lead over a chasing group. The Dundrum rider is a strong time trialist and was able to solo the remaining 12 miles, adding victory in the Patrick Kennedy Memorial to the fifth place (and first Senior 2 prize) he took in last Sunday’s Ben McKenna Memorial. His strong form means that he will start the Bertoni Gorey 3 Day next weekend as one of the favourites.
Thirty four seconds later, the runner-up position went to his former team-mate Gary McNulty. The Orwell Dundrum TC is another rider from the same estate in Dundrum and he was fast enough to comfortably win the gallop from four others. Ryan Bankhoad (BAC), Daire McCaughley (All Systems DWCC), Gareth McCaughley (unattached) and Noel McGlynn (Ravens CTC) took places three through to sixth, while Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers) and Noel Maloney (Ravens CC) were a further four seconds in arrears.
Engemann thanked his team-mates at the end. “Eamon Peregrine and Dylan Rafter blocked for me,” he said in a short interview with organiser and PA commentator Gabriel Howard. “That was a good help. This is my 13th open win so I’m pretty pleased with that.”
Strong, aggressive racing was also seen in the 36 mile senior 3, veteran, junior and women’s combined event. Veteran Ger Madden (Obelisk) and Louise Moriarty (Moving Ladies) went clear of the rest on the first lap but were eventually hauled back. However Moriarty was to remain in the thick of the action and took a dominant win over Julie O’Hagan (All Systems Dublin Wheelers), Roisin Kennedy (Staggs Lucan CC) and Colleen Foley (McNally Swords CC) in the women’s category.
Andrew Hoey (Ballymena RC) was first past the line of the senior 3 riders, winning the Pat Howard Memorial from Mark Gill (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group), Myles Kirby (Orwell Dundrum TC), Kevin Donagher (McNally Swords CC), Stephen Patton (Phoenix CC) and John Oran (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group).
Stephen Halpin (McNally Swords) beat Isaac Speirs (Navan Avonmore RC), Diarmuid Cronin (South Dublin CC), Lorcan Davoust (South Dublin CC) and Barry Hughes (Emyvale CC) to take the Jimmy Gough Cup for juniors, while Gordon Scott (Audi East Entrim CC) was first home overall in the combined event, winning the veteran’s prize. Terry Ferris (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group), Ger Madden (Obelisk CC), John Dillon (Ravens CTC) and Colm Dunne (Staggs Lucan CC) filled the remaining four places.
Stamullen’s strong programme of racing also included three underage events. Philip Lavery (Usher IRC) outpaced Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers), Mark Heneghan (South Dublin CC/Eurocycles), Michael Duffy (Donamon Dynamos), Mark Fitzsimons (Ena Loakman Remax) and Aaron Buggle (South Dublin CC/Eurocycles) in the under 16 race.
Benner Maguire (Drogheda Wheelers) was best of the under 14s, coming in ahead of Ben Dowling (Bray Wheelers), Erik Fitzhugh (Orwell Dundrum TC), David Boyd (Navan Avonmore RC), Blane Maloney (Navan Avonmore RC) and Rachel Withers (Fintona CC). And Colin Hughes (Emyvale McQuaid Tyres) beat Shaun Rigley (Bray Wheelers), James Lynch (Navan Avonmore RC), Niall Staggs (Lucan Staggs CC), Colm Dunne (Lucan Staggs CC) and Daragh Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers) in the under 12 race.
Organiser Gabriel Howard was keen to thank the event backers for what was a strong programme of racing. “We have a total prizefund of 4,500 euro this weekend,” he said. “It’s thanks to the sponsors…we have had backing from many people, too numerous to mention, and they have helped make it possible to put on all these races.”
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Stamullen GP Races, Sunday:
Joey Whyte Memorial Cup, Stamullen:
1, Conor Murphy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group)
2, Tommy Evans (Terry Dolan.com) at 6 secs
3, Ryan Connor (Ballymena RC) at 10 secs
4, Martyn Irvine (Ards CC) at 16 secs
5, Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly) at 2 mins 42 secs
6, Philip Finegan (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group)
7, Matthew Ward (Usher IRC)
8, Denis Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union CC) all same time
9, Patrick Moriarty (Diamond T CC) at 2 mins 46 secs
10, Neill Delahaye (Usher IRC) same time
11, Mick Steed (Murphy Surveyors)
12, Brian Taaffe (All Systems DWCC)
Patrick Kennedy Memorial (Senior 2):
1, Andre Engemann (St. Tiernan’s CC)
2, Gary McNaulty (Orwell Dundrum TC) at 34 secs
3, Ryan Bankhoad (BAC)
4, Daire McCaughley (All Systems DWCC)
5, Gareth McCaughley (Unattached)
6, Noel McGlynn (Ravens CTC) all same time
7, Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers) at 38 secs
8, Noel Maloney (Ravens CC) same time
9, Frank O’Connor (Unattached) at 40 secs
10, Brendan Whelan (Staggs Lucan CC) at 56 secs
Pat Howard Memorial (Senior 3):
1, Andrew Hoey (Ballymena RC)
2, Mark Gill (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group)
3, Myles Kirby (Orwell Dundrum TC)
4, Kevin Donagher (McNally Swords CC)
5, Stephen Patton (Phoenix CC)
6, John Oran (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group)
7, Gavin Haberlin (UCD)
8, Gary Gorman (Cuchulainn CC)
Jimmy Gough Cup (Junior)
1, Stephen Halpin (McNally Swords)
2, Isaac Speirs (Navan Avonmore RC)
3, Diarmuid Cronin (South Dublin CC)
4, Lorcan Davoust (South Dublin CC)
5, Barry Hughes (Emyvale CC)
Veterans:
1, Gordon Scott (Audi East Entrim CC)
2, Terry Ferris (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group)
3, Ger Madden (Obelisk CC)
4, John Dillon (Ravens CTC)
5, Colm Dunne (Staggs Lucan CC)
Women:
1, Louise Moriarty (Moving Ladies CC)
2, Julie O’Hagan (All Systems Dublin Wheelers)
3, Roisin Kennedy (Staggs Lucan CC)
4, Colleen Foley (McNally Swords CC)
Under 16:
1, Philip Lavery (Usher IRC)
2, Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers)
3, Mark Heneghan (South Dublin CC/Eurocycles)
4, Michael Duffy (Donamon Dynamos)
5, Mark Fitzsimons (Ena Loakman Remax)
6, Aaron Buggle (South Dublin CC/Eurocycles)
Under 14:
1, Benner Maguire (Drogheda Wheelers)
2, Ben Dowling (Bray Wheelers)
3, Erik Fitzhugh (Orwell Dundrum TC)
4, David Boyd (Navan Avonmore RC)
5, Blane Maloney (Navan Avonmore RC)
6, Rachel Withers (Fintona CC)
Under 12:
1, Colin Hughes (Emyvale McQuaid Tyres)
2, Shaun Rigley (Bray Wheelers)
3, James Lynch (Navan Avonmore RC)
4, Niall Staggs (Lucan Staggs CC)
5, Colm Dunne (Lucan Staggs CC)
6, Daragh Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers)
7, Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers)
8, Joe Boyd (Navan Avonmore RC)
Bill Hyland Memorial, Clonmel:
Senior A/B:
1, Martin O’Loughlin (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers)
2, Michael Hennessy (Fermoy C.C)
3, Timmy Barry (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers)
4, John Horgan (St. Finbarrs)
5, Theo Hardwick (Killorglin Credit Union)
6, John O’Brien (Ballymore CTC)
7, Mick Bolton (Garda C.C)
8, Tom Shanahan (Limerick C.C)
9, John Murphy (Fermoy C.C)
10, Adrian Crowley (Fermoy C.C)
Brendan Carroll Memorial, Stamullen:
1, Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly)
2, Daniel Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union CC)
3, Philip Finegan (Murphy & Gunn/Newlyn Group)
4, Denis Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union CC)
5, Adrian Hederman (Murphy & Gunn/Newlyn Group)
6, Cormac O’Shea (Ena Loakman Remax)
7, Padraig Marrey (Western Lakes CC)
8, Seamus Kelly (Ena Loakman Remax)
9, Adrian Pretorius (Murphy & Gunn/Newlyn Group)
10, Jason O’Callaghan (Swords McNally CC)
Senior 2:
1, Adrian Pretorius
2, Jason O’Callaghan
3, Sean Rock (McNally Swords CC)
Senior 3:
1, Alan Carey (Staggs Lucan)
2, John Orr (Murphy & Gunn/Newlyn Group)
3, Noel Carr ((MAD CC)
Junior:
1, Lorcan Davoust (South Dublin CC)
2, William Connolly (Western Lakes CC)
3, Keith Rowley (Covey Wheelers)
Veterans:
1, Mick Nulty (Stamullen M Donnelly)
2, Anto Moran (Finglas Ravens)
3, Bernie McCormack (Finglas Ravens)
Women:
1, Julie O’Hagan (All Systems DWCC)
2, Orla Hendron (Orwell Dundrum SC)
Under 16:
1, Philip Lavery (Usher IRC)
2, Anthony Lynch (Kanturk CU CC)
3, Mark Heneghan (South Dublin CC/Eurocycles)
4, Sean Carolan (Covey Wheelers)
5, Brendan Butler (Western Lakes CC)
6, Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers)
Under 14:
1, Ben Dowling (Bray Wheelers CC)
2, Benner Maguire (Drogheda Wheelers)
3, Erik Fitzhugh (Orwell DSC)
4, Sean O’Malley (Covey Wheelers)
5, David Boyd (Navan RC)
6, Darragh Reidy (Covey Wheelers)
Under 12:
1, Colin Hughes (Emyvale McQuaid Tyres)
2, Shaun Rigley (Bray Wheelers)
3, James Lynch (Navan RC)
4, Darragh Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers)
5, Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers)
6, Joe Boyd (Navan RC)
John Beggs Memorial RR, Dromore:
1, Ryan Connor (Ballymena R.C.) 110 kilometres in 3 hours 3 mins 46 secs
2, Adam Petrie Armstrong (Northern-Dave Kane) at 2 mins 55 secs
3, Stephen McKenna (Easame time Antrim) same time
4, Tommy Evans (Terry Dolan RT) at 4 mins 26 secs
5, Paul Hanna (Total Cycling) at 4 mins 49 secs
6, Matthew Ward (Usher Irish R.C.) at 6 mins 55 secs
7, Jonathon Dempsey (Easame time Antrim) at 7 mins 50 secs
8, Richard Alhadeff (Orchard Wheelers) at 9 mins
9, Alan Hall (Terry Dolan) at 12 mins 2 secs
10, Karl Dolan (Cuchullain CC) same time
Sean McGreevy RR, Dromore:
1, Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) 80 kilometres in 2 hours 22 mins 20 secs
2, Thomas Simmons (North Down) at 8 secs
3, Gordon Scott (East Antrim) at 4 mins 10 secs
4, Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers)
5, David Wright (Phoenix)
6, Conor McAllister (Ballymena R.C.)
7, Thomas Martin (Clann Eireann)
8, Andy Hunter (XMTB) all same time
Under 16:
1, Sean Downey (Banbridge CC) 1 hour 32 mins 50 secs
2, Peter Williams (Orchard Wheelers) at 9 mins 17 secs
3, Peter Wilson (Maryland Wheelers)
4, Neil McGimpsey (XMTB)
Under 12:
1, Ciara Mulholland (Clann Eireann)
2, Mark Downey (Banbridge)
3, Claire Oakley (XMTB)