Conn McDunphy throws his hands up in the air thinking he's won in Bunclody only for Sean Moore to mug him on the line; ouch! (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
It’s a moment Con McDunphy will never forget for as long as he lives.
The emerging Lucan CRC rider prematurely celebrated winning Sunday’s Slaney CC-promoted Eddie Tobin Memorial in Bunclody, Co Wexford.
But while he was sticking his hands in the air celebrating with delight, Sean Moore of Barrow Wheelers kept his eye on the prize.
And with a powerful surge right to the line he snatched a win on home turf from the Dubliner.
As these photos show, McDunphy perhaps had every right to think he had it won and simply wasn’t to know the finish was much tighter than he thought.
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However, the drag to the line coupled with the fact McDunphy had deliberately sprinted for the chequered flag from a long way out meant he was always going to be vulnerable until he cleared the whitewash.
“It was great to 'win' as you can see by the photo,” said McDunphy afterwards, sarcastically.
“I realised as soon as I raised my arms that I’d made a mistake.
“I haven't got much of a sprint so I went really early with 500 metres to go because I knew Sean was very fast and a few of the seniors would be faster in the finish.
“So I just went all-out and nearly had it,” he added.
“I had a bad feeling coming over the line but I did had to go back to check with the commissaire.”
To be fair to McDunphy, whose name has been appearing in dispatches more and more this season; he took it very well and had no problem congratulating the winner afterwards.
“I had a good chat win Sean after; he's a sound lad and a great bike rider,” he explained.
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“I got to know him quite well last year at the Junior Tour so I'm not too pissed off knowing it was a friend who got the better of me.”
Sean Rowe's photos tell the tale
Just before the line, McDunphy throws his hands up in celebration. Unfortunately, an uphill sprint means those behind can come charging through much later than normal. And young Sean Moore, far left, is not taking no for an answer today.
Oops! Fast-man Moore on the far left looks to have gotten his nose in front right at the death.
In this shot it's clear to see that Moore's last 5-10 metres was faster than the celebrating McDunphy and that the Wexford teenager had done enough to nick it on the line. They're two very tidy emerging riders; keep an eye out for them.
Noel Redmond Memorial: A3 (105km)
1 Sean Moore Barrow Wheeelers
2 Con McDunphy Lucan RC
3 Daniel Merriman Waterford RC
4 Reece Young Slaney CC
5 Colm McGarvey EPIC
6 Fionn Jordan Slaney CC
7 Seamus O’Neill Carlow RC
8 Aaron Kearney Carrick Wheelers
Unplaced Juniors
1 Josh Francis MTN100
2 Mark Bergin Carrick Wheelers
3 Cian Sutcliffe Lucan RC
Unplaced Vets
1 Peter Buggle Unattached
2 Liam Cullen Barrow Wheelers
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