Naoise and Rachael on Form in Wicklow
It was the last night of the women’s Wicklow league and once again the weather was good and the food was even better. There were several Orwell riders looking for glory and this night did not disappoint. The Orwell underage riders Naoise Sheridan U12 (niece of our club secretary Dave McLoughlin) and Orwell Woman’s B league winner Rachael Kaye Mellor, U14, managed to hold off the senior riders.
Promising newbie Naoise was limited to two laps due to her age but was put into the end of the scratch group by mistake and hung on long enough not to be caught and claimed a very much deserved first place on the night.
When asked how she found the scratch group her response was “I thought they were going a bit fast.” Rachael Kay Mellor was also limited to 3 laps again due to her U14 status and was put in with the semi limit group. Rachael had winning the league in her sights and knew what she had to do.
She did it in style first working with her group to catch the limit group for the first two laps and then breaking away on the final climb and staying away to come in for what she thought was a win on the night just ahead of senior points winner Eileen O’Sullivan (Sorrento). However, in a change to the rules this year, Rachael was awarded the U14 prize while the U16 riders and older riders fought out for senior honours.
Despite missing out on the overall prize Rachael was happy with her performance and is looking forward to fighting for the overall title next season: “I was a bit surprised because I knew what I needed to do to win the league and I’d got the most points for four races, but that’s the way it goes,” she said. “The U14 cup is lovely and I’ll be back next year to try for the main one again”.
The rest of the Orwell senior girls did well on the night but the limit and semi limit groups had too much of a lead to be able to reel them in. From Orwell 7th was Leah Dempsey, Orla Hendron sprinted for 12th , Wendy Barry, Charlotte McDonald and Sandra Telford all came in sprinting for 14th 15th and 16th respectively along with Anne Dalton 18th and Naoise’s sister Aoife Sheridan 20th coming back from her knee injury.
As usual too much tasty food was on offer and gratefully accepted. Prize giving was then held with prizes for the various underage categories and runners up. The overall prize and Women’s Wicklow League Cup went to senior points winner Eileen O’Sullivan taking the title from last years winner Ailbhe Ivory U16 (Bray).
Orwell Ladies Excel in Wicklow Ladies League
Following the popular Orwell Crit League, the ever-growing squad of Orwell female racers made their mark on the successful Wicklow Ladies League run over five Tuesday nights in Ashford. The League concluded last week on a high with eleven Orwell ladies contesting the final round. Young talent Rachel-Kaye Mellor took numerous placings to top the points table, and was rewarded with the Under 14 prize, with the League prize going to the first senior rider, Eileen O'Sullivan (Sorrento). Another gutsy determined young Orwell rider, Naoise Sheridan took her first race win in the final round to put her second overall on the points table and take the first Under 12 prize. She was joined by sister Aoife Sheridan and young Siobhan Keogh who also put in some good performances. Leah Dempsey contested her second Wicklow League and will be missed as she will shortly be moving to London to start a new job. She will have plenty of good racing opportunities as she plans to join former Orwell lady Lydia Boylan in London Dynamos and we wish her the very best. In semi-scratch, Wendy Barry, Charlotte MacDonald, Anne Dalton, Margaret Donnelly and Sandra Telford rode exceptionally well as a team netting Wendy the joint second senior prize overall with Charlotte in sixth place. These ladies are looking very good for a strong Orwell entry to the Ras na mBan in September. For a full review of the League, please see http://www.irishcycling.com/
