Underage Leinster Championships 2001

Dad wasted no time skipping around the back roads to Kilmessan Co Meath for the Leinster Championships and yes we did meet some Sunday drivers. Still we made it on time, one and a half hours early to be precise, but not to worry as this gave me plenty of time to have a look around, check for pot holes and have a look at my favourite part of the race ‘The finish’. On the start line there was the same familiar faces. Myself, Colm, Mark, Eamonn, James, Stephen, Paul, David etc. We meet that often now I’m beginning to feel that we are one big happy family and I suppose we are as they are a great bunch of lads and we all get on very well. With the weather conditions perfect the race got underway at 12pm. Three laps of an eight mile circuit would decide who would be the 2001 Leinster Champion. The attack started straight away with the Bray lads relaying up and down the road like a Pro.Outfit. Then Balbriggan had a few digs countered by Shannonsides Eamonn Coyle and myself. Colm Crawley was always handy and we countered the jumps before they became breaks. The two Usher lads and James Whelan from Swords did very well and were always up there right to the very end. After being heavily marked throughout the race and a bunch sprint looked likely Stephen Mc Kenna Balbriggan launched a winning looking attack on the last drag. A moments hesitation, then sprint on to the line taking the lead with about 500m to go I produced a Keith Daly special coming home three lengths clear of the field. Colm Crawley was 2nd followed by Paul Mc Mahon from Bray. Although I wasn’t around to watch the U/12’s race I have been reliably informed that Nial Rock finished a close 2nd taking the silver Medal. Well done to all my fellow underage riders. I have had a fantastic season and will see you all next year when we will be cycling with the BIG BOYS!!!!!!!!!!