Eoin Morton says his winter miles might be big, but you have to be willing to hurt self. He was shocked Sean McKenna left UCD, but wishes only the best for the four departing former team mates. Above, winning the Ben McKenna Memorial in March ahead of then team mate Greg Swinand, who is among the riders moving on to Aquablue (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
UCD CC rider Eoin Morton has admitted he’s “gutted” four riders have left the team for their big southern rivals Aquablue CC.
But he stressed there was no animosity and wished his former teammates the best for the coming campaign.
Anthony Walsh, Colm Cassidy, Sean McKenna and Greg Swinand all departed the Dublin club over the off season but Morton still believes UCD CC can be a force.
Advertisement
“I’m gutted the guys left,” he explained.
“Anthony and Colm were the reason I joined UCD because I saw they got great results.
Racing hard uphill against the watch at the Ballinrobe Two Day last year (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
“I always looked up to those guys. I was really shocked Sean left.
“We really pushed each other to improve over the past few seasons, especially when Anthony and Colm were racing in Canada.
“We became really good mates and we helped each other win races as the top guys in the club.
“It’s a real shame but I completely understand their reasoning and wish them all the best under Tim Barry’s wing.”
However, he said with five A1 riders remaining; UCD was still a very strong proposition.
Leading the group at the Suir Valley Three Day last year; Morton also rode well on the Rás and wants to target it again (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Related News
“With the four guys leaving we’ve been weakened but we’ve some new guys in the club this year like Daragh Long (from NRPT) and Daire O’Sullivan (from Usher IRC).
“And I’m expecting a lot from Ian Richardson this season.
“I’ve been training with him in Greece recently and his power blew me away.”
Morton is one of the most dedicated riders on the domestic scene at present and it’s no surprise to see him list the An Post Rás as his big target.
He took a fine top 10 on the very testing Seskin Hill stage last year.
He has just returned from a warm-weather camp in Greece where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of the SEG Racing Team and Cannondale-Garmin pro Thomas Dekker.
And when asked for tips on how he went from an A4 to a top A1 rider, the Swords man says all the hours on the bike are no match for hunger to win races.
Morton punches the air in triumph after beating Damien Shaw in the charge to the line for victory at the Bikeworx Series in Mondello last July (Photo: David Ryan – www.davidryanphotography.ie)
“I don’t think you need to do a certain amount of training or anything to win in Ireland,” he offered.
“From talking to lads and reading the stickybottle articles everyone has a different approach.
“And there's definitely not one single formula that works for everyone.
“I do a lot of hours, and others train less, but at a much higher intensity.
“Both ways work and they’ll get any rider a win.
“If they have the desire that’s the biggest thing any rider needs.”
The UCD boys have always been a tight knit group and it will be interesting to see how the departure of riders like Sean McKenna and Colm Cassidy - first and second on the right of shot - will play out for all involve this year (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
Topics
