Portrush to Donegal for Meningitis Research

The four lads Niall, Charlie, Trevor, Ken were accompanied on the first leg of the journey over the Limavady mountain by 14 year old Ellen McAree.

Ellen who was competing in the Dave Kane League 10 mile TT on the Portrush Road on Thursday evening, set about making the Limavady mountain her next goal, and by all accounts made easy work of the 1000 foot mountain road.

As the four intrepid cyclists battled through the elements they were invited to stop at Downey’s restaurant in Derry for refreshments and lunch served up by head chef Kieran Dunne.

With just under half way covered the pace was steady as they headed for Letterkenny and a final coffee stop, bottles filled before their final push to the Downies, where the North sea nad the Atlantic come together.

The total journey was kept a comfortable pace and the four arrived in a time of just under 5 hours.

All proceeds will be presented to the Meningitis Research in the next few days.

Cycling Ulster Team TT Championships

Ballymoney Cycling Club riders Bryan McKinney and Niall O’Hagan joined forces with Slane cycles riders Conor and Leo McAllister to try their hand at Team time trialling.

The event was promoted by the Belfast based Phoenix CC and it was their own team who were fastest on the night with a time of 51.07 for 25 miles.

The four lads Mark Brown, John Neill, John Smyth and Stuart Bennett made this event on the Woodgreen course at Ballymena their stomping now two years running. The composite Ballymoney CC/Slane Cycles Team recorded a time of 52.51 for the 25 miles.

Bryan McKinney was again in time trialling action at Woodgreen again on the Thursday night riding in the Dave Kane League 10 TT. Bryan recorded a seasons best of 22.29 finishing 10th overall.

Tour of the Mourne’s and Red Hand Trophy

These are two of the best established races here in the north of Ireland, the Tour of the Mourne’s that skirts the famous mountain range in Co. Down, starting in Newry, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Newcastle, Hilltown, and back into Newry with 68 miles covered.

Both Bryan McKinney and Steven McAllister were in action in both the Tour of the Mourne’s and the famous Red Hand Trophy. Bryan finishing in the bunch at Newry with club mate McAllister puncturing in the final miles.

This race was won by Dundalk triathlete Bryan McCrystal.

The Red Hand race is run in the Glens of Antrim with almost 70 miles of hard riding to complete before the finish in Broughshane, This is the second year running that Steven McAllister won a first placing in his A section, last year he was first A4 in 19th place overall and this year he was first A2 and 12th overall, Bryan McKinney was 15th and finished with McAllister in the bunch.

The race was won by professional cyclist Martyn Irvine from the Giant Kenda Team, from Ballymoney CC honorary member Stephen Gallagher.

Gallagher is just two weeks back from breaking his collar bone at the Rutland GP in England.

He had plates and screws surgically fitted to secure his speedy return in time for the 8 day FBD Ras stage race in two weeks

Result of the Red Hand 70 miles.

1st Martyn Irvine Giant Kenda Asia

2nd Stephen Gallagher Cycle Premier.

3rd Simon Williams Team Basso

12th Steven McAllister BCC

15th Bryan McKinney BCC

l Next week’s report will feature the Inter club League Road Race Series, this first race was promoted by BRC and saw a big turn out at Slaght near Ballymena. BCC were also represented at the North Down promoted A4 racing and the N.Ireland Road Race Championship held at Bangor on Sunday. The Cork man Three day is a big schoolboy event and it was here that Aaron Swan and Craig Crawford were in action, full report next week.

l Coming events

This Wednesday night the Ballymoney Club will promote their club road race on the Tullaghans circuit over 25 miles. The first riders will set off at 7pm.