Darragh O'Mahony, leading, is the latest talent to roll off the seemingly endless Kanturk production line. The Rockchapel man was second overall this week and the only Irishman to win a stage.
By Brian Canty
Runner-up in the Scott Bicycles Junior Tour of Ireland, Darragh O’Mahony, says he has no regrets about how he rode the event.
The national team rider came home just 14 seconds down on overall winner Marin Joublot Ferre of French team AC Bisontine.
O’Mahony, from the prolific O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk stable, performed very well all week and was the only home-based man to win a stage while always being on the offensive.
Yesterday saw him roll the dice one last time in an effort to get back the time he needed to claim the title Eddie Dunbar won last year.
But he wasn’t given an inch by the yellow jersey or his team.
“The plan was to try and get yellow but we obviously knew it was going to be extremely difficult,” he said afterwards.
Advertisement
“The bunch was controlled all day, mainly by the North California team along with NRPT-Magnet.ie boys.
“AC Bisontine hadn't much to do so it played perfectly into their hands.
Related News
“I tried a few attacks but Ferre was very attentive; he rode intelligently and strongly all week so I've no complaints.”
O’Mahony admitted he could hardly have wished for better at the outset last Tuesday.
“I’m very happy overall,” he said.
“But at the same time it's disappointing not to come home with yellow.
“I don't have any regrets though, I fought for all I was worth and came up short so fair play to Marin.
“I'd have taken this last week so I have to be content.
“I just hope I can get another chance to ride for Ireland this year. It was a pleasure and I was proud to wear the jersey.
“It was great to be in the team but the standard is so high that I won't be counting my chickens at all.”
Topics
