Darragh O’Mahony celebrates winning the A3 event in Currow, Co. Kerry yesterday. The O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk CC rider has been going about his business in great style this season, giving the national team selectors a real headache with some impressive wins. (Photo: With thanks to John Coleman-DC Images)
By Brian Canty
Winner of the A3 race in Currow, Co, Kerry, on Sunday; Darragh O’Mahony is hopeful the victory will bring him closer to a place on the Irish junior team.
The O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk rider believes he’s up there with the best in his age group at the moment and is keen to get a chance to show what he can do against the best at home and abroad.
O’Mahony missed the initial break of seven on Sunday, but when he rode across on the second of five laps he sensed he could win, even though another clutch of men would later bridge.
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“It was a dead, flat course so there was no way to read this race, just play it by ear,” he said.
“My teammate Stephen Gillman had attacked and gotten away with a few others on an open, windy section on the second lap. I got across on my own and that made it eight of us up front.
Winning the opening stage of the Gorey Three Day riding for the Munster team (Photo: Sean Rowe)
“Another group got across later on with around two laps to go; we were all working so I was fairly sure it would stick,” he added.
O’Mahony, who had won in Dungarvan and Gorey already this year, made his race-winning move with around one kilometre to go.
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“I attacked on the only ramp of the lap. I brought Sean Yelverton (Mego Racing Team) with me and I just about nicked him in the gallop.
“I knew Sean was strong; he'd proved that last week. There were others in the group capable of a result as well but I had two teammates with me so I was confident
On the front of the escape in the Tommy Sheehan Memorial in Carrick-on-Suir on St Patrick's Day (Photo: Sean Rowe)
“I’d hope it would bring me closer to an Irish Jersey, that's my main goal at the moment.
“I’d like to think I'm up there, Michael (O’Loughlin - Magnet.ie/NRPT) is obviously very strong, Sean is going well.
"Simon (Tuomey - Cork Giant) is an unknown quantity at the moment but is always there or thereabouts and I don't really get a chance to race against the others that often.
“Gorey was the only race so far this year where all the juniors have met," he said of the Easter three-day where he won the opening stage in a two-man escape from O'Loughlin.
“There is a strong bunch this year though and I think maybe letting us do some A1 races would be of great benefit for the bigger races later this year.”
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