David Watson Wins Foyle GP

David Watson (North Down CC) was the impressive winner of the Foyle Grand Prix today in Killea Co Donegal. Watson was the strongest of a four man breakaway that had raced ahead on the first of six 11.4 mile circuitS. The others in the group were Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers), Ronan McLoughlin (Foyle CC) and Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles).

Lynch lost his place in the break with a puncture on the fourth lap. The gap to the chasers peaked at 1’30” but during the last lap a strong group including Keith Philips and Des Woods was closing rapidly. Watson put the pressure on up the last climb OF Carrigans Brae and McLoughlin and Moore couldn’t respond. He crossed the finish line 6 seconds ahead of local man Ronan McLoughlin with Moore third. Keith Philips,Woods and Matthew Brennan were the next to finish one minute later.

The A4 race was won by Tony O’Docherty (Carn Wheelers) with newcomer Adam Leach (North Down CC) second and another Carn Wheeler rider Declan McGarrity third. Noel Boyce sprinted to victory in the Masters race after his team mates Michael Crowe, Stephen Cardy, and Paul Kirk executed a perfect lead out in the final few kilometres. Jane Millar was first in the women’s race ahead of Trudy Brown (VC Glendale) and Mairead McGurk (Carn Wheelers).

The Foyle Cycling Club deserves credit for a great promotion, there was a great turnout for the races and all enjoyed the refreshments at the prize giving in Killea Football Club.

Thanks to the timekeepers, judges, marshals and car drivers for the excellent work and to Peter McGrattan the trainee commissaire who displayed great control during the race.

RESULTS

WOMEN

1. Jane Miller - Bann Wheelers

2. Trudy Brown - VC Glendale

3. Mairead McGurk - Carn Wheelers

4. Lorraine Jeffers - East Tyrone

5. Karen Hull - Phoenix CC

6. Sandra Devine - Four Masters

MASTERS

1. Noel Boyce – North Down CC

2. Russel Young – Bann Wheelers

3. Jim Donnelly – Foyle CC

4. Paul Kirk – North Down CC

5. Neil McCartan - Dromore CC

6. Raymond Doherty – Finn Wheelers

A1,2&3

1. David Watson – North Down CC

2. Ronan McLaughlin – Foyle CC

3. Darnell Moore – Caldwell Cycles

4. Keith Philips – North Down CC

5. Des Woods – Newry Wheelers

6. Matthew Brennan – Ballymena RC

7. Barry Doyle – Unattached

8. Ed Boyle – Phoenix CC

9. Terry McKenna – Clogher Valley CC

10. Conor McCarroll – Clogher Valley CC

First unplaced Junior – Nathan Weir – Harps CC

A4

1. Tony O’Docherty – Carn Wheelers

2. Adam Leach – North Down CC

3. Declan McGarrity  - Carn Wheelers

4. Alan Campbell - North West CC

5. Conor Devlin – Island Wheelers

6. Rob Carr – Kings Moss

7. Gerard Farrell Clogher Valley CC

8.  Sean Nash - Foyle CC

report by Brendan Kirk