Orwell clean sweep in Brittas

By Declan Quigley

Round 17 of the Inter-Club League in Brittas produced a clean sweep for Orwell Wheelers in the three DMS races with Ódhran Connors, Gary McNulty and Ivan McAvinchey leading the charge up Ballysmuttan Hill after three laps of the small lakes circuit.

Ódhran Connors' first road race victory came at the expense of the best of the Scratch riders and comes after a sustained period of strong performances in open races following the completion of his first FBD Ras in June.

Gary McNulty's reward for his second win of the season is an upgrade to the Scratch group for the next event.

Likewise rookie racer Ivan McAvinchey has been honoured with a move to Semi-Scratch for the last four events after taking his first road race victory in the combined Limit/Semi-Limit race.

There were notable performances from several other Orwell riders on the night with Graham Thomas and Myles Kirby confirming strong recent form with fourth and sixth respectively in the Scratch race.

Seamus Fitzgerald scored his long awaited first placing of the year with fourth in the Semi-Scratch race.

James Olsen made only his second appearance of the season in the league but showed his strength to finish third in the Limit/Semi-Limit while Ian O'Keefe showed that he has recovered from the rigours of the Étape du Tour by crossing the line sixth.

Results

Scratch

1. Ódhran Connors (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Paul Dolan (Usher Irish Road Club)
3. Shane Baker (Usher Irish Road Club)
4. Graham Thomas (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
5. Eamonn Peregrine (St Tiernan's)
6. Myles Kirby (Orwell Wheelers DTC)

Semi-Scratch

1. Gary McNulty (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Aidan Yates (Usher Irish Road Club)
3. Anthony Walsh (UCD)
4. Seamus Fitzgerald (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
5. Philip Browne (Usher Irish Road Club)
6. Daryl Bent (Staggs Lucan CRC)

Semi-Limit/Limit

1. Ivan McAvinchey (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Darragh Zaidan (Staggs Lucan CRC)
3. James Olsen (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
4. Niall Dwyer (UCD)
5. Mark Mearns (Staggs Lucan CRC)
6. Ian O'Keefe (Orwell Wheelers DTC)

Aidan Yates (Usher IRC) and Roisin Kennedy (LCRC) remain the league leaders with 4 races remaining. Sandra Fitzgerald (LCRC) remains in the lead of the AAL beginner Women's league.

Next race is a Handicap in Brittas to be run by St. Tiernans. Another underage race alongside the senior race is tentatively scheduled, open to U16/U14/U12s.