Results and Reports for July 21 - 22, 2001

Ireland

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Jim O'Leary Memorial

Missing from the sport for a number of years, Timmy Barry of the Leeside Douglas Cycling Club in Cork has been a revelation this year since his comeback at the beginning of the season. Again on his local patch he duly won the Jim O'Leary Memorial in convincing fashion. A top class field assembled for this event held in honour of the late Jim O'Leary who did sterling work on behalf of the cycling fraternity down the years in his native city.

Conditions were favourable with head winds and tail winds plus a number of sharp ascents which the contenders had to negotiate on each of the seven laps. Early on it was noticeable that Timmy, a 26-year-old representative with the world renowned Murphy's Brewery of Cork and who also sponsor the Irish Open golf Championship, was very much the main protagonist. Along with Alan Buckley of Limerick CC and Ritchie Cahill of Banteer they were very active in attemting to stretch the big peloton to its limit.

Eventually the elastic snapped which allowed the trio to forge with less than 30kms. Unfortunately Alan was not able to sustain the pressure which was being piled on by Barry and Cahill. They raced ahead with the chasing pack all over the place.

In the run in to the finish, Timmy accelerated leaving Ritchie to cross the line in second place.

"Quite simply I had no answer to Timmy's burst of speed. He was a deserving winner. Last week I was third and I'm happy to be getting back into the frame after my hopper (fall) just before the nationals," said Ritchie.

Alan held onto third place ahead of Eddie O'Donoghue recent winner of the Ras Connacht.

I have a distinct feeling that it will not be champagne that will be the celebratory beverage, but a plain pint of Murphy's brewed in the city beside the Lee (river) which is famous in song throughout the land, On the Banks of my own lovely Lee that Timmy and his chorts will sample.

Results

Men - 100km road race
 
1 Timmy Barry (Leeside Douglas CC)         2.23.36
2 Ritchie Cahill (Banteer CC)
3 Alan Buckley (Limerick CC)                  0.30
4 Eddie O'Donoghue (Carrick Cidona)           0.45
5 Paul Christopher (Banteer CC)
6 Philip Aherne (Duhallow Whls)

Swords Grand Prix

Michael McNena was the winner of the annual Swords Grand Prix on Sunday, July 23. Presently back in Ireland from his base in France where he campaigns on behalf of Team Ireland which has the backing of the Irish Sports Council. Michael now a tender 25 years of age caused a great stir many years ago when he purchased Sean Kellys bike as a junior.

Nowadays, Michael does the majority of his racing on the continent. Recently in the FBD Milk Ras he was a subject of a colour piece for a publication on the life of a cyclist in a stage race.

Results

Men - 100km road race
 
1 Michael McNena (VC La Pomme)           2.48.50
2 Denis Easton (Maryland Whl)
3 Brian Ahern (Classic Walls NCBI)
4 Dave Peelo (Ursher IRC)
5 Mark Kiernan (Provision)
6 Brendan Doherty (Provision)

Previous results from Ireland