Darragh O'Mahony, right, was in flying form when he won the Newbridge CC Grand prix from a very strong field of around 60 A1 riders. The young Kanturk man is growing up fast and is looking really good so early in the season (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
He might only be in his second year as an U23 rider and have no teammates in any A1 race but Darragh O’Mahony is making light of that just two weeks into the new season.
The O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk rider upstaged many more established riders in yesterday’s feature event at the Newbridge CC Grand Prix, winning in the end from a four-man sprint after six laps of the 17.5-kilometre course.
It may not be the biggest win of his career and it certainly won’t be the last but it was very impressive nonetheless.
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“It was a positive race, there was a lot of attacking and not a lot of marking people out of it which has been happening a lot lately,” the UL student said.
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“I was in a six-man move after 6 kilometres and then around 12 came across after 40k and then that group whittled down with all the attacks.
“Nobody was working with the group being so big; it was all stop-start attacking and eventually on the last lap myself and Conn McDunphy (Lucan CRC) got away for half a lap.”
Mark Dowling (Strata3/VeloRevolution) and Jamie Blanchfield (Carrick Wheelers) soon came across and they all rode to the line in unison.
“Dowling went with 400 to go and caught us off guard so it was less of a sprint and more of a 30-second effort to get to the line.
“He tied up with 100 to go and I got past him.”
O’Mahony admitted to having his best ever winter and is optimistic about what’s ahead.
“The past winters I’ve had injuries and illnesses but I’ve managed to avoid all that this year and it’s paying off now a bit.”
He’ll head to Limerick next weekend for Rás Luimní after which the Des Hanlon and Easter become bigger ambitions.
“The U23 Nations Cups fall around Ras Mumhan (Easter weekend) so if I’m picked for them I’ll be there but if not I’ll be looking for a team, the same with the Rás as well.”
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