Results and Reports for August 11 - 12, 2001

Ireland

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Kilrush, Co. Clare, August 12, 2001

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent/Evening Herald/Sunday Independent

"Are you right there, Michael, are you right?"

That’s the opening lines of a song made famous by Percy French, about the West Clare railway line.

It was therefore fitting on Sunday August 12, 2001, that the West Clare CC were staging the Crotty Cup in the town of Kilrush in Co. Clare.

And to cap it all it was Michael Fitzgerald who won the cup. As predicted, it was felt that we were beginning to see the best of this cyclist who was a sensation in the 90’s and to watch him again re-kindling the form that made him a name in cycling.

The 100km event was held on a nine-lap course, which for the best part of the race was at a stop-go momentum.

On lap seven it came alive when the local favourite Vincent Gleeson set the cat amongst the pigeons. Naturally there was a quick reaction from the peloton, but the one that took the initiative was Fitzgerald who after his win in Listowel the week previous was eager to make it two on the trot.

A forward move was made by six of the strongly fancied candidates and they eventually drew clear of the main pack.

On the run in to the finish, Fitzgerald was aware of the two Cork cyclists, Ritchie Cahill and Timmy Barry who between them have been quite influential on the Munster circuit. Also both are accomplished sprinters when it comes to a dash for the line. On this occasion Fitzgerald again waited until the opportunity presented itself for him to unleash one of those specials, which took him well clear to notch a victory in the town made famous by the balladeer Percy French.

Results - 100km

Men
 
1 M Fitzgerald (Classic Walls)       2.25.28
2 R Cahill (Banter)                     0.02
3 T Barry (Leeside Douglas)             0.04
4 M McNena (VC la Pomme)                0.06
5 D Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union)
6 V Gleeson (West Clare CC)
 
1st B Grade: B. Lynch (Leeside Douglas)
 
1st Veteran: K O’Leary (St. Finbarrs)
 
1st Junior: J O’Leary (Killarney CC)
 
1st Under 16: A O’Shea (Killarney CC)
1st Under 14: C Lanigan (Killorglin Credit Union)
1st Under 12: P Aherne (Kanturk Credit Union)

Previous results from Ireland