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North Kildare GP8

Staplestown, Co. Kildare, April 4, 2004

The luck of the Brannigan

By Shane Stokes, irishcycling.com

Riders wishing to win an open race (who doesn’t?) might be advised to get in touch with Orwell Wheelers Ronnie Brannigan before their next event. Fear not, UCI and CI, the chirpy veteran hasn’t taken up where Kelme’s doctor allegedly left off; it appears that his performance enhancing properties are totally legal, if not a little spooky.

As Cycleways Lee Strand rider Phil Finegan tells it, Brannigan – or his car - appears to have some form of fantastic talismanic properties. Finegan won the North Kildare CC GP8 on Saturday; his last win was in the Klonsdyke Cup in Robinstown last year. There was one common element which will appeal to the more superstitious riders out there.

‘The first open race I won was in Robinstown last year’, says Finegan, grinning broadly as he tells the tale. ‘I got a lift with Ronnie that day to the race, the first time I had headed out to one with him. I hadn’t got a lift since then, until yesterday (Saturday). I went with him to the North Kildare race and ended up winning that too. I reckon a lot of people will be fighting over space in his car from now on!’

Saturday’s 50 mile event saw the senior 2 riders get a three and a half minute start on the ‘A’ bunch. With just under two of the race’s four laps covered the chasers had got back on terms, although just before the junction was made six riders had slipped clear. Finegan, Laurence Roche (unattached), Stephen O’Sullivan (Cycleways Lee Strand) and Robert Whelan (Navan Avonmore) set off in pursuit and succeeded in bridging, setting up a subsequent attack by Finegan and Graham Thomas (Ravens CRT).

‘We got away with about three miles to go’, says Finegan. ‘I was planning to jump Graham before the finish but I had problems with a link coming loose on my chain. I didn’t want to take a chance so I waited until the sprint. Graham jumped early but I was able to get back on terms with him and then get to the line about five yards ahead.’

Third place went to Thomas Hogan (Navan Road Club), with Roche fourth and Sean Bracken (Usher IRC) fifth. For them, the smaller pickings this time round. Yet next week could well be different; it all depends if they can beat the rush and book their place in Brannigan’s magical motor…

Results

Senior 1 and 2 (50 miles)
 
1 Phil Finnegan (Cycleways Lee Strand)
2 Graham Thomas (Finglas Ravens)
3 Thomas Hogan (Navan Road Club)
4 Laurence Roche (unattached)
5 Sean Bracken (Usher Irish Road Club)
6 Stephen O’Sullivan (Cycleways Lee Strand)
 
Unplaced B: Noel Maloney (Finglas Ravens)
 
Combined senior 3 junior veteran and women’s race (37.5 miles):
 
1 Ciaran Cassidy (Usher Irish Road Club)
2 Sean Rock ( Mc Nally Swords CC)
3 Ciaran Kelly (Ùsher Irish Road Club)
4 Nathan Hanigan (Les Jeunes) (veteran)
5 Mick Rock (Mc Nally Swords) (veteran)
6 John Ryan (M Donnelly Stamullen)
 
First unplaced woman: Tarja Owens (Team Worc)

Local results 2004

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