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Results and Reports for April 6-7, 2002

Ireland

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Ben McKenna Memorial

Balbriggan, April 7, 2002

Cassidy Defends Ben Mckenna Memorial Title

US professional David O'Loughlin showed his strength today with an impressive, but unsuccessful, race-long attack in the Ben McKenna Memorial in Balbriggan. The Ofoto Lombardi Sports rider went clear with Usher IRC duo Dave Peelo and Shane Baker on the opening lap of the 80 mile race and, having dispatched his companions several miles later, quickly opened up a two minute lead on the chasing bunch.

With three laps of the rolling 14 mile circuit remaining, a 23 man chasing group were two minutes and 15 seconds in arrears, while defending champion Phil Cassidy looked the worse for wear further down the field.

Cassidy's Cycleways Lee Strand team-mate Eugene Moriarty made a bid to reel in the flying O'Loughlin one lap later, but with the Kerryman two minutes and ten seconds down and the bunch at three minutes, it appeared that the Mayo professional was set to record what would have been arguably the most impressive Irish victory this year.

However, it was not to be; as Cassidy came around and started carving his way through a tiring field, O'Loughlin's previously smooth style started to falter and his speed dropped. Halfway through the final lap he retained just 50 seconds of his advantage over Cassidy, Kilcullen's Willie Byrne and Andrew Donnellan of Dublin Wheelers. Two miles later, that lead was gone and as his chasers tore past, a shattered O'Loughlin ground to a halt.

Cassidy kicked for home as the group entered Balbriggan for the final time, opening up a sizeable lead and coasting up the finishing straight to take his second consecutive win. Byrne outsprinted Donnellan for second, while Kieran McMahon (Earl of Desmond) outpaced Criag Sweetman (Stamullen - Martin Donnelly) to take fourth.

'I have a cold, my chest and head were hopping before the race and I was seriously thinking about not riding', admitted Cassidy after the finish. 'But I have to do some promotional work for the Blazing Saddles next week and so decided to start, as I may not get to race next Sunday.'

'I felt pretty rotten early on and nearly pulled in a few times. I was going to just do a few easy laps with Anita (his wife) but decided each time to keep going. It actually worked to my advantage as I was fresh from sitting in the bunch all day, so when I started to come around I had something left in my legs.'

'I started passing groups in the last two laps and knew I was going well as I wasn't out of the 11, 12 and 13 sprockets. I knew we were gaining on O'Loughlin but couldn't believe how quickly he came back to us at the end - he must have been really tired. Myself, Willie Byrne and Andrew Donnellan got across to him with about six miles to go, and then on the long drag before Balbriggan I got clear and went away.'

'I don't know what David (O'Loughlin) was at, attacking so early', said Cassidy, then added with a smile: 'It is the kind of thing I would have tried 20 years ago'.

Results - 80 miles

1 Phil Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand)              3.18.09
2 W Byrne (Hillcrest) at 14 secs
3 A Donnellan (Dublin Wheelers)
4 K McMahon (Earl of Desmond)                         0.35
5 C Sweetman (Stamullen-Martin Donnelly)
6 E Moriarty (Cycleways Lee Strand)                   1.55
7 R Moore (Stamullen-Martin Donnelly)
8 T Hughes (Stamullen-Martin Donnelly)
9 M Kiernan (Naas-Fig Rolls)
10 S Bracken (Usher IRC)
 
Senior 3, Juniors & Veterans
 
1 B Duncan (Dave Kane-Northern CC)
2 A McQuaid (Emerald)
3 S Turner (Bann Valley)
4 J Heraty (Staggs Lucan)
5 T Lavery (DPC First Legal)
 
1st Women: Roisin Kennedy (Usher IRC)
2nd Women: M Attorres (Cycleways Lee Strand)
 
1st Veteran: Seamus Kennedy (Navan Avonmore)
2nd Veteran: M Nulty (Stamullen)
 
1st Junior: Eddie Smith (Ards CC)
 
Unplaced C Grade
 
1 David Farrell (Hillcrest)
2 J O'Brien (Hillcrest)
 
Under 16
 
1 Stephen McKenna (Balbriggan CC)
2 A Petrie Armstrong (Northern CC)
3 M Nestor (Shannonside CC)
4 A Coyle (Shannonside CC)
5 P McMahon (Bray)
 
Under 14
 
1 Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers)
2 I Spiers (Navan RC)
3 A Henry (Usher  IRC)
4 G McNulty (McNally Swords)
5 M Furphy (Lurgan RC)
 
Under 12
 
1 N Rock (Swords CC)
2 P Lavery (DPC First Legal)
3 P Williams (Orchard Wheelers)
4 C Farrell (Hillcrest)

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