McNally
Swords CC - Newsletter Introduction: Welcome to the final newsletter of the year and on behalf of the committee we would like to express our thanks to all our members who supported the club league, participated in open races, achieved successes at the vets events and finally those who attended the various tours around the country. In this edition a round up of the racing and touring season is described. Indeed, the coming event such as the Family Fun Cycle on Sept 21st , Club weekend away on October 11th and the Dinner Dance on November 17th are alluded to. Finally, those of you who wish to ‘have the edge’!! for next season should put in your diary some tuition that will be given by Aidan Hammond on Oct 20th and Emma Quirke on Dec 8th at Fingallians. Family Fun Cycle:The committee are organising a Family Fun Cycle on Sunday September 21st at 3pm in Fingallians GAA Club. The cycle routes will be 5k and 15k with refreshments provided afterwards. This is an opportunity to promote cycling and McNally Swords Cycling Club, we would appreciate if club members (in the official club gear) encourage their children, neighbours and friends to come along. Dinner Dance: The Dinner Dance will take place on saturday November 15th at Hollywood Lakes Golf Club. Tickets will be 25 euro for adults and 15 euro for under 18s which are available from Breda McNally (ph 01-8433022.) Week-End Away: The weekend away will take place October 11th costing 65 euro for bed, breakfast, and evening meal – sharing. It was felt that as the Lord Bagenal, in 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 for those who wish to cycle around the area (60miles). However, due to some members not turning up last year, only a cheque for the full amount made payable to the Lord Bagenal Hotel will be accepted. All cheques should be forwarded to Ken Brennan -33 Aspen Drive, Kinsealy Court, Swords, Dublin, phone - 086-8103287 or 8404491. There are 30 places available, so first come first served!! Round up of Touring: Firstly, congratulations to all those who completed the Wicklow 200k in June. Indeed, club members frequented many leisure tours throughout the summer. Tom Markham and Ken Brennan completed the 100k Kildare Border Tour in late June and in July there was considerable representation (the McNally family, the Rock family, Tom Markham and Kevin McFeely) at the Drogheda Wheelers annual tour of 100k. Joe and Breda McNally as well as Tom Markham participated in the Marie Keating Annual fundraising cycle for breast cancer at Naas in early August. The vets ‘100 in 8’ was well attended with first appearances from Martin Joyce and Brendan O Shaughnessey, supported by Ken Brennan and Tom Markham. To complete a good summer of leisure cycling a group of nine cyclists went to Waterford on the weekend of Aug 30th to participate in a 100k tour in aid of Down Syndrome which was hosted by the Comeragh C.C.. Finally, well done to Tess Quinlan for participating in the four day Mizen to Malin Head Tour as part of the Blazing Saddles events Club League & Racing Round Up: (by Hugh Byrne) This years Club League was run over 18 events under the expert guidance of Sean Lally and served to improve the standard of all who participated. It is after all a training league and the h/caps are there to ensure all of us are stretched to the limits (and further!!!) of our ability. This year's winner, Sean Rock, now in his 2nd year at U16 has been participating for 6 years and during that we have seen him going from strength to strength. Indeed this year he also won the Mark Mullen Memorial League after being placed in all 5 rounds, and took the Gold in the Leinster TT C/ships in which brother Niall, and father Mick also won medals. Brian Crinion showed his TT prowess in those C/ships also taking the gold in the C category. Our League this year was well attended and special mention to our many new members, many coming from Triathlon, who competed at an impressive standard. We were also pleased to have so many Stamullen riders competing along with our regular visitors. These helped raise the standard and will certainly benefit our developing talent. Special mention to Pauline, Johnny & Fred who each contributed greatly to the smooth running of the league. One of the highlights of the league was our Club Road Race C/ship which was a closely fought affair won by the narrowest of margins by John Shortt and a separate event for the ladies won by Grace McNally. Report & photos on this race (and many others) are posted on our club website. In recent weeks in the IVCA we have seen wins from Mick Rock, Joe McNally & myself and both Sean Lally and Anto McMahon winning three times each!!!! One that sticks out for me was an impressive 1/2/3 in the age related C/ships (40-49) with Anto winning from John Shortt & Liam Maguire with an impressive display of ability andtactics. Our U/age riders recently competed in the International Kerry Youth Tour with nearly 100 riders in each age group incl. many riders from as far afield as Holland, Belgium, Wales & South Africa. Some performances of note, a win by Michael Daly (U16), 4th J in the National TT C/ships by James Whelan, and 4th from Sean in the Isle of Man, Niall placing 5th the National C/ships , not forgetting his impressive ride in our club Road Race although I don't think he was on restricted gears that night!!!! And what a week by Keith Daly!!! Started 'quietly' placing 1st Junior in the Park on a Tuesday, followed by his first senior win in the Duane Delaney Memorial on Thursday, took the bunch gallop for 5th in the Andy Mahon on Saturday and another win in the John McCormack on Sunday. We weren't too disappointed with the 5th on Sat as Anto McMahon took the win in that one!!!! It was especially pleasing to see the photos of Keith's first win being replaced by the photo of his second one as the cover shot on IrishCycling.com. Our Club League is there to provide competitive, enjoyable racing, to give a stepping stone to those new to the sport and to develop our riders and I think we can agree that it succeeds on all fronts!! Best of Luck: On behalf of the club we wish Brendan O Shaughnessy and the McNally Family a safe and enjoyable cycle in South America and congratulate them on raising substantial funds for the National Council for the Blind Annual General Meeting: The Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 17th of November at 8pm in Fingallians Richies Bike Shop: Richie has the following in stock and don’t forget the 10% discount for all club members, it is important to support your local bike shop!
Cycling Workshop:Kevin McFeeley kindly arranged the following workshops which will be facilitated by Aidan Hammond and Emma Quirke at 8pm in Fingallians GAA Club ‘Winter training programme’ -Presented by A. Hammond on Oct 20th at 8pm ‘Dealing with Sports Injuries’ - Presented by E. Quirke on December 8th at 8pm Further information on
the club’s activities Ken
Brennan |
