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Mick Cahill Memorial
Banteer March 8, 2003
O'Loughlin shows he can sprint
By Tommy Campbell
David O'Loughlin, who intends joining up with his American based cycling team next month, showed that he will be a contender in sprint finishes in the future if yesterday's result is a yard stick.
"I haven't been renowned for my sprinting ability in the past," said a jubilant David O'Loughlin who represents the Ofoto Lombardia Cycling Team. He had just scored a notable success in the Mick Cahill Memorial in Banteer yesterday afternoon.
David had been up front for the majority of the 60-mile event in which the competitors had to suffer the discomfort of windy conditions, which are not akin to that part of the country. "Normally I would come off second best in a sprint, but during the winter I worked hard to perfect my sprint and today, thankfully it paid a handsome dividend," said David. Timmy Barry from the Carrick Cidona Club is no mean performer when it comes to a head to head. In third place was Vincent Gleeson who won the Cycleways Cup in Navan last week.
Race organiser, Cormac Cahill was a happy camper after yesterday's event. "Numbers participating were up on last year. I know we have just done and dusted the event, but hopefully, we'll retain this date for next year. I know I spoke to Paddy Moriarty from the Dublin Skip club about participating and true to his word he made the journey South from Dublin. Bit disappointed that Richie did not win but he got close and David O'Loughlin on that form will carry the Irish flag with dignity on the American scene," said Cormac.
Additional reporting by Shane Stokes
David OŽLoughlin may have missed 10 days training recently due to illness, but the Ofoto Lombardi professional showed that even when under the weather, he still has a lot of strength. The Mayo rider sprinted to victory today at the end of the Mick Cahill Memorial in Banteer, outpacing Timmy Barry (Cidona Carrick Wheelers), Vincent Gleeson (West Clare CC) and local rider Richie Cahill in their four-up sprint for the line.
Just under 100 signed on for the race, with the combined senior 1 and 2 bunch splintering into three groups on the opening lap when a group including OŽLoughlin, Cahill and Gleeson prised their way off the front. Lap three saw a regrouping of sorts when some of the second group - including Barry and Paddy Moriarty - bridged across, and thereafter the head of the race was marked by constant breakaway attempts. The elastic finally snapped with three laps to go when Barry, Gleeson, Dennehy and, subsequently, Cahill got clear and build a 20 second lead.
OŽLoughlin waited until the breakaway was established before powering across the gulf and making it five up front. Cahill punctured but manged to get back on; Dennehy, however, then started to tire and slipped off the back of the group. That left four at the head of the race, and in the dash for the line OŽLoughlin showed his strength to lead the other three home and take the win.
Results, 60 miles
1 David O'Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardia, USA) 2.14.23 2 T. Barry (Carrick Cidona) 3 V. Gleeson (West Clare CC) 4 R. Cahill (Banteer CC) 5 M. Dennehy (Kilorglin Credit Union) 0.12 6 J. Blackwell (Tile choice) 0.53 Senior 2 1 M. Concannon (Kilorglin CU) 2 E. Reddy (Carrick Cidona) 3 M. Slattery (Killarney CC) Senior 3 1 Barry Meade (Kanturk Credit Union) 2 L. Ryan (unattached) 3 D. OŽDonaghue (Realt CC) Juniors 1 Barry Woods (Killorglin CC) 2 R. Cullen (Autoview) 3 B. Lacey (Earl of Desmond) Veterans 1 Sean McIlroy (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) 2 N. McCarthy (Fermoy CC) 3 K. OŽLeary (St. Finbarrs) Primes: Dennehy, O'Loughlin, McIlroy, Meade
