Summer 2003 Newsletter

Club Launch: The launch of the Club season took place in the Manor Pub on the 27th of March. Over 45 members attended, including Mr Michael Kennedy, Chairman of Fingal CC. Sean Lally, Joe McNally and Terry Quinlan welcomed the new members into the club and wished all cyclists a good season. Breda McNally took care of refreshments to her usual high standard! and once again, many thanks to Breda and Joe as our sponsors for the coming season.

General Club Meetings: The committee have decided to cease having general meetings until further notice due to the small numbers attending and also as information is provided via the internet or newsletter.

Round up of Touring: March saw the beginning of the IVCA touring season with a 60miles in four hours tour starting from the Pheonix Park at 9am on a beautiful day. Tom Markham and Ken Brennan (first vets tour) were the McNally Swords CC representatives. The tour included Lucan-Maynooth-Kilcock-Summerhill-Pheonix Park with the lads finishing in 3hours 15minutes. Incidentally, Tom Markham also completed the 75 miles IVCA tour on Easter weekend, only to be disappointed by a very small turn out, but, on the other hand a very worthwhile tour in preparation for the Wicklow 200.

Indeed, Ken Brennan and Dermot Fagan also completed the 100 miles Tour of Slieve Bloom on May 4th of the bank holiday weekend in Carlow. It rained continuously throughout the day, however, only for the encouragement of Tom Markham who also came along (but forgot his racing shoes…. again, and decided to visit the local hostelries and bookie office instead……something’s never change!!!!) provided the incentive to return in less than six and a half hours. However, Tom redeemed himself with Tess Quinlan, Dermot Fagan, Ken Brennan and 13 other riders by completing the ‘Peaks and Valley’ tour (60miles) of the Sally and Wicklow Gap on May 18th.

Round up on Racing
Plenty of Swords Jerseys on view in the early season with Sean & Keith featuring well. Indeed all our riders have been prominent in the combined V/J/S3 races culminating with Mick Rock taking a bronze in the Leinster RR C/ships and the Vets Team with Sean & Anto. Niall added to his collection with the U14bronze and Jason Ludgate took the Gold with a magnificent display in the C Race and followed this up with 2nd in our own Kathleen O’Sullivan Memorial Race.

At U/age Sean overcame his recent run of bad luck to take his first win of the season at U16 in Mullingar, when he escaped from the bunch and put 2 minutes into them on the last lap.

Our tri-athletes have some great results (apart from dominating in our Club League Time Trials!!!). Brian Crinion had an early season win in the Limerick Duathlon and Caroline after having a go and winning at an open race in Stamullen, who continued to dominate the female Tri -scene with wins in the Limerick & Joey Hannon Triathlons. Indeed in Limerick only two males finished in front of her! Her latest outing was representing Ireland in the U23 Four Country C/ships in Derry on the 24th May. She was entered in the U23 event but her time was good enough to take both the U23 and Overall Ladies titles.

Plenty of results in the IVCA races where we have placed first & second on three occasions starting with some good teamwork from Sean & Anto. Mick Rock has been outstanding all season, twice posting ‘fastest on the night’ times in IVCA TT’s and getting a win on the Road at the Boot Inn. Fred looked like he was going to take the Vets league by storm, with back to back wins after working hard on his sprint (and after much advise from Sean!), until he took a bad spill in a Swords league race when his chain hopped off and jammed. He’s well on the mend but joins a broken collar bone ‘support club’ of Roger Tegart & Colm Stafford who also took spills recently. Special mention to Liam Maguire, rarely out of the top three, got the win last wed week after bursting clear into the wind with Paddy Griffen taking sprint from the chasers. And a fine win for Sean Lally in the biggest, craziest bunch sprint I have ever experienced last Tuesday in Ashbourne!

Also well done to Swords ‘adoptee’ Aidan Hammond for his fine Overall Victory in the Corkman 3-Day!

Week-End Away: The weekend away will take place October 11th and will cost 65 euro for bed, breakfast, and evening meal – sharing. It was felt that as the Lord Bagenal, Co Carlow had provided such good service last year, it therefore warranted a second visit. This location is ideal for those who wish to cycle down/back (150miles), it is also suitable fore those who wish to cycle around the area (60miles). More details will be provided in the autumn edition of the newsletter and also will be posted on the club web site. However, due to some members not turning up last year, only a cheque for the full amount made payable to the Lord Bagnal Hotel will be accepted. All cheques should be forwarded to Ken Brennan -33 Aspen Drive, Kinsealy Court, Swords, Dublin

Good Wishes: We wish Fred Harte, Martin Joyce, and Colm Stafford a speedy recovery following their recent accidents while racing and touring respectively. Both ended up in hospital resulting in broken bones. Martin is expected to be back in late June while Fred is due to return in July.

Tours to watch out for:

Wicklow 200: We wish all our club members the best of luck on such a challenging route.

Club League next 3 events:
Wed 11th June 25 mile TT Club C/ship (Batterstown)
Wed 18th June Balrothery CP (6 Laps short circuit)
Wed 25th June Black Bull CP (Batterstown – Dunboyne circuit)

Annual Club Tour: The club tour took place on May 25th which was well attended by visiting and club riders. 50 participated in the new route consisting of 80 miles approx. Special thanks to Jason and Darren for keeping the group together throughout the tour. Also thanks to Eamonn O Morchu who provided backup, Tom Markham for marking the route, Terry Quinlan for facilitating the 50 miles group and Dave Blake for acting as photographer. Finally we would like to acknowledge the good service at the tea stop in the Old Mill Hotel, Julianstown and Fingallians GAA Club