EIRE OG CYCLING CLUB

Returning to Ras Donegal after a 2 year absence the Martin Cadden sponsored Eire Og Racing Team send their A squad to the hills of Donegal for one of Irelands toughest stage races. Based in Killybegs the race took in 4 stages around west Donegal with all stages covering extremely mountainous terrain. Lining out for the Cadden sponsored squad were Colm Casey, Basil Freeman, Dave Mooney and Michael Devins.

The first stage featured a 4 km climb in the early part of the race which blew the bunch to bits with only team leader Devins holding on to the first bunch by the skin of his teeth. The rest of the lads came home in group 2, one minute down. Stage 2 was a time trial and again Devins was the fattest of the Eire Og boys, he has been honing his TT skills of late and has proven unbeatable in the Sligo Tri Club TT league. For the next 2 stages Devins was to be the protected rider in the team in the hope of a high overall placing. Unfortunately the category 1 ascent out of Ardara got the better of him and he lost contact with the main bunch before the finish. Going into the final stage Devins was still the leading Eire Og rider. This was to be the hardest stage of the race with 3 category 1 climbs including the backbreaking climb of Glengesh Pass. Again the hilly terrain proved tough for all of the riders with only Mooney surviving in the main bunch. After the final stage placings were calculated both Devins and Mooney found themselves in the top 30 riders out of 180 entries. Casey and Freeman both rode exceptionally well in support of Devins all weekend and are building their form nicely for the National Championships next weekend.

After a few days well deserved rest the Eire Og boys were at it again, this time racing for The Holian Cup in Co. Mayo. A field of 100 riders lined out for this event which saw Devins taking a fine 2nd place behind Padraig Marrey of Western Lakes. Mooney was 7th over the line followed by Freeman and Casey. Casey also showed his impressive sprinting prowess by taking the Prime on lap 4, if we can get this guy to the finish of a 3rd category race with fresh legs there will be no stopping him. Casey and Freeman also competed in The Meath Grand Prix with both riders showing strong form and finishing towards the head of the main bunch.