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Club Notes
31/07/06
Rachael gets set for Kerry Youth Tour: Rachael Withers finished of her preparation for the Kerry Youth Tour by competing in the Club Championship road race yesterday afternoon. The youngster became the second ever rider from the club to compete in the prestigious international 3 day event in 2005 by finishing 19th overall out of almost 40 riders, and is set for another stab at racing at international youth level this year, stepping up from under 12 (cat 3) to under 14 level (cat 2a). The club wishes her all the best in the event that starts on Saturday morning. Follow the latest on the race by going to Irishcycling.com or killorglincycling.com.
McGirr lifts res-ltd.com Club Champion Crown: Current overall league leader, Fergus McGirr is on for a club league and championship double after taking victory in the club road race championship yesterday afternoon. Patrick Withers was the most aggressive on the day, attacking right from the gun and staying clear for 5 miles, before realising the rest of the field weren't going to give him much lee way. Withers attacked several times on the climb of Sionfinn and on the descent but was covered each time by Fergus and Declan McGirr.
Eventually Withers had to settle for bronze, being beating by a tyre length in the sprint by Declan McGirr for the silver, with Fergus McGirr winning by a clear bike length. Tommy McQuaid was first veteran home in fourth, with Brendan Kelly in fifth, Ed Casement in sixth, and fourteen year old, Rachael Withers showed herself to be in good form ahead of this week's Kerry Youth Tour by taking 7th place, only 8 minutes down on the leading trio.
Current OVERALL league standings after Thursday evening's hill climb (round 6/9) up the Gortin Glens 1) Fergus McGirr 69pts, 2) Thomas McQuaid 64 pts, 3) Patrick Withers 61pts, 4) Ed Casement 51 pts, 5) Brendan Kelly 51 pts, 6) Declan McGirr 42 pts.
Visitor's 1) JP Connolly (Omagh Whs) 60 pts, 2) F Kelly (Omagh Whs) 57 pts, 3) K Boylan (Lakeland CC) 51 pts.
16/07/06
Rachael performs strongly for Ulster: Rachael Withers had a good weekend on the track in Dublin by reaching the finals in each of her events, taking a second place in the scratch race, third in the sprint, and fourth in the standing start time-trial. She thereby helped Ulster to second place in the inter-provincial track series behind a strong connaught squad, and built on her recent solid showing in the National Track championships two weeks ago.
06/07/06
Withers 90th in Newry 3 day: Patrick Withers had a solid performance in last weekends Newry 3 day. The 19 year old finished in the main bunch in Friday night's criterium in Warrenpoint losing 20 seconds to 9 riders who had escaped from the bunch. He also finished in the main bunch going for the stage win on Saturday morning in Hilltown, despite puncturing in the first 10 miles of racing, he rode himself back on to the bunch to complete the rolly 60 miles second stage.
Withers had a poor time-trial, finishing near the bottom of the results sheet on Saturday evening. However he recovered well to stay with the main bunch of riders on Sunday's stage until the category 2 climb after 50 miles. The race split to bits at this stage and on the subsequent category 1 climb of Spelga. Withers lost 15 minutes to the stage winner, ending the race in 90th place overall out of 120 starters.
07/06/06
FCC in Rás Dhún na nGall: The club sent a team of four riders to the Donegal 3 day at the weekend. The team was managed by Philip McGovern and consisted of Patrick Withers, Connor Murphy (Guest - Newry Whs), Thomas Peoples, and Declan McGirr. Peoples retired through injury on the opening stage along with McGirr who found the step up to major stage racing a bit tough.
Withers meanwhile survived Friday and Saturday's hilly stages but was unable to make the finish line in Killybegs on Sunday afternoon, packing the race before the Glengesh pass (lucky for him!). Major credit must go to Newry's Connor Murphy therefore the only survivor of the team who finished 92nd overall. Well done to all the lads who give it a go and better luck next time!
Rachael takes two sixth's at weekend: Youth cyclist Rachael Withers meanwhile performed solidly at the weekend, taking a sixth place in the Ulster Youth TT Champs on Saturday, followed by sixth place in the under 14 event at Banbridge on Sunday. She had been part of the front group that split from the main part of the race early on. A solid weekend from her, keep it up!
Provisional League results from 01/06/06: 1) Fergus McGirr 2) Philip McGovern 3) Declan McGirr 4) Brendan Kelly (full results soon)
20/01/06
New Year, same challenges: As FCC enters a New Year and a new season, we are faced with the same challenges. These challenges range from the completion of membership forms to whose doing marshal at the club league event at the height of the summer. Nonetheless these are challenges that every club faces and we encourage all of our members and our supporters to do their utmost to help the club grow and prosper in the coming years.
Despite a poor season on the competitive front from our senior members, the season was salvaged to a certain extent by Tommy Peoples' storming performance in the Tour of Fermanagh. The Donegal native took top placings on each of the stages, including a win on the final stage and finished fifth overall. Peoples came close to avenging many near wins for the club in the Fermanagh stage race since Adrian Gallagher last won the local inter-club multi day event back in the early 90's.
Youth cyclist, Rachael Withers kept the club colours flying in open events by representing Ulster in the Kerry Youth Tour where she had an excellent time-trial, finishing 13th on stage two of the four stage event which included 40 competitors from across the British Isles and further a field. She also took the clubs second every All Ireland medal. taking silver in the time-trial.
So to 2006. Tommy Peoples and Patrick Withers will represent the club in open races, with Declan McGirr and Philip McGovern also expected to come into the fray at some stages during the season. There will be a club meeting and training spin in February which will be directed towards letting all of the club's riders get to know each other a little better with an eye towards the inter-club team series. Every member should be determined to show the club colours at the forefront of these events this season with the aim of a top 3 overall finish by the club a realistic prospect.
Finally the club will be cycling in a new kit this season. Orders are being sent away next week to TAL, with the unveiling of the new club kit towards the end of March!
Good luck to all in 2006.
+++++++++++++++2005+++++++++++++++
20/11/05
Dinner Dance: FCC had a successful end of season with the club awards evening been held in conjunction with the club dinner dance at the start of the month. Over 70 patrons were in attendance including club supporters, sponsors, past members and of course our current member base. The main winners on the night included Philip McGovern (Overall & Hill Climb Leagues), Mark McAleer (Club Championship RR & Hill Climb league), Patrick Withers (Road Race league), and Rachael Withers (Best Young Cyclist of the Year). The club wishes to thank all those who help make the night a success and may everyone enjoy their winter training. Roll on 2006!!
01/09/05
FCC riders race for inaugral Tony Devlin Cup: The highlight of the club calendar will take place next Sunday 11th September as club members go in search of the coveted club road race championship title. This year of course has the added incentive of the 'Tony Devlin Cup' being awarded to the winner as well as the gold medal and title of Club Champion. The Cup of course is in memory of one of our most dedicated club volunteers who sadly passed away last December and is sorely missed by all club members.
Among the favourites has to be defending champion, Declan McGirr. McGirr will be out to prove a point after only finishing fifth in the club's summer league, the lowest position ever held by the Tattymoyle man since he started on the club scene back in 2000. McGirr will certainly be among the top three riders at the summit of Sionfinn come Sunday week, of that there is almost no doubt. However can he hold of the challenge of this year's league winner Philip McGovern. McGovern's climbing has been improving all year and he beat McGirr in the final club hill climb of the year two weeks ago, therefore he is sure to be a major threat and possibly he deserves the title of favourite.
Another contender to lift the first ever Tony Devlin Cup is Mark McAleer. McAleer has made a solid come back to competitive cycling after almost a decade of retirement. Although he has failed to reach the form he held in the early 1990's when he was competing in 'Open' events and always at the top of the mid week club events he cannot be counted out of consideration for a medal although his climbing ability will certainly be tested.
Patrick Withers will also be in contention for a medal. The youngster certainly give McGirr a scare last year when he had to sprint him for the Gold medal, Withers settling for the silver a year ago. However the student who is set to go to Queen's University in the coming weeks has not enjoyed the form of last year and so will find it difficult to challenge McGovern and McGirr. Trillick based Fergus McGirr is a 'dark horse', after dominating the first three rounds of the summer league he fell ill and has not been able to train properly since July. McGirr took the bronze a year ago after looking the strongest on the day on Sionfinn however Declan McGirr and Withers used their skills on the descent to escape and battle it out for the title.
Brendan Kelly and Thomas McQuaid will also be on the fringe of the medals, however an early escape by either of these two could see the favourites watching each other and refuse to chase thus a club 'veteran' may cause an upset and take the honours.
Most of all we wish everyone the best of luck and want to see some good racing in memory of 'Tony.'
25/08/05
Rachael has solid championships: Rachael Withers rode solidly in the three stages that form the All Ireland youth championships last weekend in Lurgan, Armagh. The FCC youngster was competing in her fourth consecutive youth Nationals and despite illness in the short time-trial on Saturday morning's opening stage she eventually ended the two days in 17th place and as 4th placed girl.
Withers' strongest performance came in the road race where she was in the top dozen of the 25 strong field throughout before dropping back in the final stages to take 16th on the stage. A solid performance which our only open youth cyclist can build on for the end of the season and a sign that the future of our club is still shining.
McGovern's fifth place secures Rafferty Cup: Philip McGovern's fifth place was enough to secure outright victory in the Village take-away overall league last Thursday evening. McGovern in doing so will take home the Rafferty Cup at this year's dinner dance. Second place went to Mark McAleer who matched McGovern point for point throughout the league before losing touch in the last two events. The final place on the podium went to 18 year old, Patrick Withers.
FINAL Village take-away Overall League standings 2005: 1. McGovern 106pts, 2. McAleer 94pts, 3. Withers 85pts, 4. Thomas McQuaid 85pts, 5. Declan McGirr 74pts, 6. Brendan Kelly 72pts. (Withers took third place due to taking maximum points in one event on countback of results.)
04/08/05
Rachael shows well in Kerry youth 3 day: Rachael Withers formed part of a large contingent of riders that represented Ulster in the Kerry Youth Tour last weekend that attracted a field of competitors from the home Nation, Britain, Belgium, Isle of Man, and as far a field as South Africa. In the biggest race of her young cycling career to date the youngster had stage placings of 19th, 14th, 26th, and 28th in the category 3 event (10-12 boys, 11-14 girls) out of over 40 riders, her best result coming in the time-trial on Sunday morning's stage.
The Omagh-based cyclist eventually finished 20th overall, with honours going to Castlebar C.C.'s Elain Cawley after coming under pressure in the final stage from the Welsh team. For full results of all the categories and stages go to www.killorglincycling.com and click on 'youth tour.'
Coyle climbs Sionfinn fastest: Stephen Coyle (Lakeland C.C.) came out on top in last week's round of the summer league by completing the Sionfinn hill climb in a time of 9 mins, 30 seconds. Patrick Withers led the home charge with a time of 10 mins, 32 seconds. Philip McGovern continued to mount a strong challenge at the top of the league leaderboard by finishing third overall on the night.
Village take-away Overall League standings after round 6: 1. Mark McAleer 66pts, 2. Philip McGovern 63pts, 3. Thomas McQuaid 55pts,
4. Patrick Withers 53pts, 5. Fergus McGirr 48pts, 6. Brendan Kelly 47pts.
20/07/05
ICL Round 4: Tomorrow evening FCC will host round four of the Inter-club road race league of 2005. FCC’s last win in the series was in August 2003 when Brendan Kelly took victory after excellent team work by then 16 year old, Patrick Withers in the competition’s inaugural year in the final round in Fivemiletown. 23 months on and pressure is mounting on the Fintona competitors to restore some pride after a poor performance in round three in Cookstown, and what better place to do it than on home soil, on the infamous ‘Syonfinn’ circuit.
Riders will hit the 3 mile ascent of Syonfinn, tackled by the Rás and Tour of Ulster over the years after 16 miles of racing, it is likely that by the time they hit the lower slopes all the groups will be together or in sight of eachother, so favourites undoubtedly will therefore be East Tyrone and inparticular, Ernie Magwood who has been in devastating form of late. Magwood will be challenged however by Emyvale’s Paul Brady, and his junior club mate, Niall Blakes, also in good form after completing the Junior Tour last week, with the Lakeland challenge being led by the evergreen, Kenny Boylan, Omagh Wheelers meanwhile have been weakened with the loss of Hugh McCann, thus it will be left up to Micky Gallen and Vincent McCarron to attempt to salvage what looks like a sinking title challenge from them.
Who have we forgotten?.......Oh yeah, Ourselves! Can we end the drought of almost two years tomorrow night? That depends on the heart, determination and willingness of those in green to work together and give it everything for the jersey. Ofcourse we do not possess the strength in depth of riders like East Tyrone but that does not mean we can not salvage a good result, Declan McGirr always has a chance and on a good day can stay with the majority of the best. With Fergus McGirr injured, other hopes rest on Patrick Withers who has yet to gain the form he was in last season, and it remains to be seen how Mark McAleer will climb over ‘the mountain.’ Tommy McQuaid is having his best season in many years and could pull out a good result if the front group rides together and he gets over the mountain ahead of the scratch men.
Come on FCC…….YOUR CLUB IS CALLING!
12/07/05
Lakeland pair too strong for rest: Lakeland pair, Kenny Boylan and recently crowned Irish veteran's champion, Robbie Bryson proved too strong for the rest of the local competitors last Thursday evening in round five of the club league. Bryson outsprinted Boylan for the victory with Mark McAleer narrowly beating his young club mate Patrick Withers for third some thirty seconds in arrears.
Village take-away overall league after rd.5: 1. Mark McAleer 55pts, 2. Philip McGovern 50pts, 3. Fergus McGirr 48pts, 4. Declan McGirr 46pts, 5. Thomas McQuaid 45pts.
6/07/05
News Round Up:
Club League: Declan McGirr lifted himself to the top of the league leaderboard after round four of the Village take-away overall league promoted last Thursday evening, a 25 mile T.T. on the Cookstown Rd. Omagh
League standings after rd. 4: 1. Declan McGirr 46 pts. 2. Philip McGovern 45 pts. 3. Fergus McGirr 43 pts.
Rachael T.T's to National medal: 13 year old, Rachael Withers took the club's first All Ireland medal since Martin Mulholland lifted bronze in the under 12 category in 1984 when she finished second in the All Ireland T.T. Championships in Emyvale at the end of May.
07/04/05
Club Meeting: A club meeting will be held next Friday, 15th April at 8pm, in McAtee's Bar, Fintona. A copy of the club's events for the forthcoming inter-club season will be available. Anyone interested in taking part in the Wicklow 200 should also attend this meeting as we are looking to know about numbers for a bus, driver etc...We will be doing this year's Wicklow 200 in memory of fallen club member Tony Devlin who passed away last December.
02/03/05
2005 Underway: The 2005 domestic cycling season is well and truly under way with the first official competitive races taking place last weekend. This weekend the racing begins in Ulster with Banbridge promoting the Annaclone race, and Phoenix the race at Nutts Corner. For more details on these events go www.cyclingulster.com
Meanwhile Declan McGirr showed some early season form by taking 2nd place in Emyvale's reliability trial, promoted on Sunday 20th of February. The club's summer league details and sponsors for the coming season will be announced in the coming weeks.
New Sponsors: As everyone knows the world of sport needs sponsorship in order for it's events and competitors to stay active. Anyone interested in sponsoring FCC in the coming season should contact us by clicking here or contacting our secretary (Declan) on 07887755672.
2005 Committee: The 2005 club committee consists of Patsy McElhatton (President), Declan McGirr (Secretary), Philip McGovern (Treasurer), Adrian Clarke (Chairman), and Patrick Withers (P.R.O.)
Click here to go to notes for 2004
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