Orwell's Patrick O'Sullivan took the biggest win of career to date when he rode to victory in the A3 race at the Mick Lally Memorial on Saturday March 2. He took his win in fine style, finishing solo, minutes ahead of the chasing bunch
O'Sullivan's victory capped a great day for Pinergy-Orwell Wheelers at the Dublin Wheelers-promoted races in Summerhill. Luca Holmes (now riding in the colours of Spellman-Dublin Port) finished second, while fellow Junior David Harrington was fourth.
In the A1/A2 race Joe-Nathan Matar, a Junior last year, demonstrated that the step up the Senior ranks this year was well within his considerable capabilities, infiltrating the break of the day and finishing fifth. Killian O'Brien, now riding in the colours of his new Italian team Veleka, picked up where he left off last year, taking the first Junior prize. Ronan Grimes meanwhile was unlucky not to come away with a result, finishing just outside the points. In the A4 race Luca's Dad Martyn Holmes made it a family affair where here netted sixth place.
Joe-Nathan Matar approaches the finishing line at the Mick Lally Memorial
The action moved to Navan on Sunday, where Navan Road Club hosted the Seamus Kennedy Memorial. Orwell's Junior contingent were once more to the fore in the A3/A4 race. While the podium prizes were scooped by a small number of A3s and A4s who stayed away, Holmes showed his finishing speed to take sixth (and first unplaced Junior), followed by O'Sullivan in seventh and Harrington in eighth. Bad luck plagued Orwell in the main event with both Matar and O'Brien falling victim to early punctures.
Seamus Kennedy Memorial, A3. From L to R: David Harrington, Dick O'Brien, Patrick O'Sullvan, Ilie Gabuja. (Pic Credit: Sean Rowe
Patrick O'Sullivan, seventh overall, second Junior, Seamus Kennedy Memorial, A3. (Pic Credit: Sean Rowe
David Harrington, eight overall, third Junior, Seamus Kennedy Memorial, A3. (Pic Credit: Sean Rowe
Next weekend sees the first stage race of the year, with Orwell sending a strong team to Rás Mhaigh Eo. The Pinergy-Orwell Wheelers team is:
Joe Nathan Matar
Adam McConnell
Killian O'Brien
Ille Gabuja
Patrick O'Sullivan
Manager: Wissam Matar
Mechanic: Luke Potter
For those not travelling Westport, the prestigious Newbridge Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.
