events

Ras Naoimh Finian 2013: Race Details

<< Photos courtesy of Michelle Kavanagh >>

Race Report:

Another massive turnout this year, with around 250 riders from all corners of the country, in what was a dry Spring day, turned out today for the 4th annual Ras Naomh Finian in the historic village of Clonard.

This year, we repeated last years format - separating the different categories into separate races.

A stiff easterly wind meant the riders had a strong tailwind for the outward leg of the race with all groups recording very high average speeds on the way out.

First off were the A2’s, with a small handicap ahead of the A1’s. Both groups merged near the top of the hill at Tyrellspass, about 25km into the race.

A group of about 20 forged ahead at the turnaround point and stayed clear until the finish, with the remainder of the A1's and A2's coming in a couple of minutes behind.

The sprint for the line saw former An Post rider Paidi O'Brien from Planet Tri take the honours for the Ras Naoimh Finian perpetual trophy for 2013, beating 2012 winner Stephen Halpin by 3 bike lengths. Coming in to taske third place was Stamullen rider Craig Sweetman.

Winner in the A2 Category was local rider Ciaran Mangan from Clonard Road Club who had a great performance today forging ahead with the lead group over the line.

In the Lady's category, special mention goes to Olympic competitor Francie Meehan who finished well up in the A1 Race. An extra prize was given to Francie for the superb performance, as there was only a Lady's prize for the A3 Race on the day.

In the A3 Race, the largest of the 3 races, the group stayed together to the finish line, despite the many attacks and attempts to break clear.

The sprint to the line was hotly contested and the honours went to Bray Wheelers rider Joe Christian. Second place went to Ciaran Campbell from Drogheda, and Ciaran O'Connell from Stamullen coming in to take 3rd place.

In the Lady's category for the A3 Race, Ann Dalton took the prize here, finishing well up in the group.

Last race off was the A4 category – with another large turnout here. Again the group stayed together for the whole race, ending in a mass sprint for the line. Stephen Kerr from Deenside took the sprint to take 1st place. Second went to Derek Stenson from Lucan, and 3rd place went to local rider Jacob Baldwin from Clonard Road Club.

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Ras Naoimh Finian - OVERALL RESULTS:

Race 1: (a1 and a2) 70km, in 1hr40m

1: Paidi O'Brien - Planet Tri

2: Stephen Halpin - Polygon Sweet nice

3: Craig Sweetman - Stamullen M.Donnelly

4: Eugene Murtagh - Stagg Lucan

5: David Walsh - Slaney

6: Ciaran Halliman - DID Dunboyne

KOH: Aaron O'Donoghue - South Dublin CC

Unplaced A2's:

1 - Ciaran Mangan - Clonard Road Club

2 - Keith Walls - Navan RC

3 - Eric Downey - Orwell Wheelers

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Race 2: (a3) 70km, in 1hr45m

1: Joe Christian - Bray Wheelers

2: Ciaran Campbell - Drogheda

3: Ciaran O'Connell - Stamullen

4: Ciaran Farrell - DID Dunboyne

5: Michael Devins - Eire Og

6: Lloyd Scott - DID Dunboyne

KOH: Alan Brosnan - Dublin wheelers

Unplaced Junior:

- Greg Arrigan (South Dublin CC)

Unplaced Vet:

- Leonard Carrigan (Dublin Wheelers)

Unplaced Lady:

- Ann Dalton (Orwell)

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Race3: (a4)

1: Stephen Kerr - Deenside Wheelers

2: Derek Stenson - Stagg Lucan

3: Jacob Baldwin - Clonard Road Club

4: Mick Finn - Barrow Wheelers

5: John Towhy - Orwell Wheelers

6: Melvin Bridgewater - Barrow Wheelers

KOH: Val Gargan (Cuchulainn)

------------------ Pre-Race Details below ----------------------------------------------

The 2013 Ras Naoimh Finian will take place on Saturday 9th March at 11am.

Sign on is in the Clonard Village Hall, and will be open from 09:30am.

Race route is:
Start/Finish is in Clonard, and the race heads out the old Galway Road (R148 to Kinnegad), and on then through Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge, Tyrellspass, and will turn around in Kilbeggan and come back in the same route. Finish line is just before Clonard Village.

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As the format of the 2012 event proved to be very successful, we will once again have 3 separate races this year.

First race
A1/A2
11am sharp (small handicap for A2 group)

Second race
A3
11:05 start

Third Race
A4
11:10 start

Prizes are as follows:

First 6 overall in each separate race.
1 unplaced Lady, Junior & Vet
1st 3 unplaced Cat-2 riders.