Robin Kelly takes final Ballinrobe stage as Colm Cassidy seals overall for UCD

Robin Kelly takes the final stage of the Ballinrobe Two-Day (Photo: Conor McKeown)

By Brian Canty

UCD's Colm Cassidy has taken his biggest win of the season, successfully defending his Ballinrobe Two-Day title this afternoon, Sunday.

Cassidy had already tasted success this year in the Mark Hayden Memorial in Carlow and he deservedly took the title here in Mayo today after a heroic effort to beat off several teams well placed on GC.

Among those most likely to usurp him on today’s final stage was Galway Bay CC rider Nigel Forde who started the stage third on GC after this morning's time-trial just 44 seconds behind.

But because Forde and most of his Galway Bay team-mates started three minutes ahead in the main peloton in the handicapped afternoon road race today, he looked a very dangerous threat.

And indeed, for long periods of the 80 kilometre stage it looked as if Forde would do enough to stay away as they went to the front from the drop of the flag and drilled a furious pace.

But to Cassidy's credit, as well as that of Anthony Walsh (Apoge-Super U), John Lynch (Murphy Surveyors), Connor McIlwaine and David Brennan; they all worked superbly well together in closing down the gap and by the start of the final lap it was all back together.

With just 20 kilometres to go from that point it paved the way for some furious attacking, not least from Forde and Cassidy.

But eventually, with 17 kilometres to go, the elastic snapped and a three-man group broke away off the front. They were: eventual stage-winner Robin Kelly (Waterford Racing CC); John Lynch (Murphy Surveyors); and JJ Flaherty (Western Lakes). And though none of them had any chance of winning the overall, the peloton weren't keen to allow them push their luck and never gave them more than 25 seconds.

They ran out of steam with three kilometres to go when the gap was cut to under 10 seconds.

Kelly sat up and stored up his energy for the sprint which he won in fine style from promising young Castlebar rider Liam Corcoran who notched another high placing for himself.

Cassidy stayed safely in the main bunch and was deservedly crowned the winner with Walsh in second and Forde third.

Corcoran did notch the points jersey for some excellent selective-sprinting while UCD's Ross Collins took the Mountains jersey.

Corcoran was also the best junior while Peter Rimmer (Lakeside Wheelers) was the best vet.

In the A4 race, Mark Shanahan was quickest to the line after three laps of the course. There were several attacks from the 31-man peloton but none stuck. John Colleran (Dolmen CC) was second with Graham Casey (Western Lakes) third.

All Photos by Conor McKeown Photography

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A4 podium. Eamon Marrey (sponsor), 2nd John Colleran (Dolomon cc), 1st Mark Shanhan (Burren RC), 3rd Graham Casey (Western Lakes cc), 4th Thomas Maguire (Galway bay cc) 

Result: Stage 2b

1 83 A1 Kelly,Robin Waterford CC 2h03'44"
2 92 A3 Jun Corcoran,Liam Castlebar CC 2h03'44"
3 31 A1 Lynch,John Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 2h03'44"
4 49 A2 VET Martin,Brian Seven Springs 2h03'44"
5 100 A3 Jun Prendergast,Jason Cunga CC 2h03'44"
6 36 A3 Ryan,Enda Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 2h03'44"
7 8 A3 Jun Heneghan,Kieran Western Lakes CC 2h03'44"
8 53 A1 Joyce,Derek Galway Bay CC 2h03'44"
9 75 A3 Spain,John Bray Wheelers 2h03'44"
10 76 A2 Vet Dumoulin,Laurent Kanturk CC 2h03'44"
11 84 A3 O Dwyer,Senan Limerick CC 2h03'44"
12 14 A3 Kenny,Robbie Lakeside Wheelers 1 2h03'44"
13 11 A3 Marrey,Joe Western Lakes CC2 2h03'44"
14 70 A3 O Connell,John Midleton CTC 2h03'44"
15 40 A3 Hunter,Danny Errigal CC 2h03'44"
16 16 A3 Cunnane,Billy Lakeside Wheelers 2 2h03'44"
17 67 A1 Hennessy,Michael Fermoy CC 2h03'44"
18 26 A3 JUN Fitzsimons,David Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 2h03'44"
19 95 A3 Doyle,Paul Fermoy CC 2h03'44"
20 85 A1 Walsh,Anthony Apoge Super U 2h03'44"
21 57 A3 Forde,Nigel Galway Bay CC 2h03'44"
22 61 A3 Kidd,Graeme Usher IRC 2h03'44"
23 1 A1 Cassidy,Colm UCD 1 2h03'44"
24 98 A2 Forrest,Denis Blarney CC 2h03'44"
25 17 A2 VET Rimmer,Peter Lakeside Wheelers 2 2h03'44"
26 33 A2 Enright,Gareth Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 2h03'44"
27 24 A2 Vet Troy,Chris Castlebar CC 2h03'44"
28 71 A3 Creedon,Daithi South Side Wheely Wheelers 2h03'44"
29 55 A3 VET Bourke,Tony Galway Bay CC 2h03'44"
30 38 A3 Browne,Liam Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 2h03'44"
31 20 A1 Brennan,David Castlebar CC 2h03'44"
32 41 A2 Mc Ilwaine,Conor Errigal CC 2h03'44"
33 97 A3 Maguire,Jim Shannonside Planet X CC 2h03'44"
34 7 A3 Gilvarry,Michael Western Lakes CC 2h03'44"
35 62 A3 Vet Sharkey,Fergus Usher IRC 2h03'44"
36 45 A3 Queally,Daithi West Clare CC 2h03'44"
37 77 A3 Ladies Brice,Amy Phoenix CC 2h03'44"
38 65 A3 Johnston,Cathal SDCC 2h03'44"
39 86 A2 Vet O Grady,Martin Team Toachim 2h03'44"
40 42 A3 Mc Caffrey,Ted Errigal CC 2h03'44"
41 63 A3 Nevill,Brian Shannonside Planet X CC 2h03'44"
42 4 A3 Parker,Barrick UCD 1 2h03'44"
43 91 A3 Ladies Dalton,Anne Orwell CC 2h03'44"
44 51 A3 Kelly,James Seven Springs 2h03'44"
45 54 A1 Frawley,Liam Galway Bay CC 2h03'44"
46 66 A3 Maloney,Brendan SDCC 2h03'44"
47 93 A3 Ladies McCrystal,Eve Garda CC 2h03'44"
48 99 A3 O'Rourke,James Western Lakes CC2 2h03'44"
49 9 A3 VET Ryan,Kevin Western Lakes CC 2h03'44"
50 89 A3 VET Devins,Michael Eire Og 2h03'44"
51 21 A3 Conroy,Rory Castlebar CC 2h03'44"
52 60 A2 Cox,Stuart Black Rose racing 2h03'44"
Stage 2b FINAL Results, Page: 2 © Séamus Shortall 2007
53 32 A1 Peelo,David Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 2h03'44"
54 25 A3 Jun Walsh,Thomas Castlebar CC 2 2h03'44"
55 12 A3 Moran,Michael Western Lakes CC2 2h03'44"
56 6 A2 Flaherty,JJ Western Lakes CC 2h03'44"
57 34 A2 Steed,Ciaran Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 2h03'44"
58 18 A3 jun Eoin,Lynch Lakeside Wheelers 2 2h03'44"
59 37 A3 Doyle,Derek Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 2h03'44"
60 78 A2 Collins,Aidan Orwell CC 2h03'44"
61 3 A3 Doherty,Cathal UCD 1 2h03'44"
62 30 A2 Byrne,William Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 2h03'44"
63 48 A2 Nugent,David Seven Springs 2h03'44"
64 19 A3 Crowley,Paul Lakeside Wheelers 2 2h03'44"
65 82 A3 Whelan,William Galtee Wheelers 2h03'44"
66 52 A3 Cleary,John Seven Springs 2h03'44"
67 2 A2 Conluain,Ciaran UCD 1 2h03'44"
68 59 A3 Walsh,Billy Black Rose racing 2h03'44"
69 68 A1 Barrett,Olan Fermoy CC 2h03'44"
70 80 A3 Clogher,Alan Stamullen CC 2h03'44"
71 46 A3 Roche,Damien West Clare CC 2h03'44"
72 43 A3 Donovon,Padraig West Clare CC 2h03'44"
73 28 A3 Donnelly,Barry Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 2h03'44"
74 56 A3 Jacobson,Alan Galway Bay CC 2h03'44"
75 15 A3 Bracken,Ronan Lakeside Wheelers 1 2h04'29" @45"
76 13 A3 Berry,Ken Lakeside Wheelers 1 2h04'43" @59"
77 90 A3 Ladies Conway,Caroline Usher IRC 2h05'50" @02'06"
78 101 A3 O'Connell,Keith Covey Wheelers 2h06'25" @02'41"
79 58 A3 VET Reade,Aidan Black Rose racing 2h07'47" @04'03"
80 44 A3 Bourke,David West Clare CC 2h09'58" @06'14"
81 23 A3 Mc Cormack,Gareth Castlebar CC 2h13'48" @10'04"
82 10 A2 Flanagan,Michael Western Lakes CC 2h24'23" @20'39"
83 5 A2 Collins,Ross UCD 1 2h24'23" @ s/t

Primes

Sprint: Finish line 1st passage
1 92 Corcoran,L 5pts
2 45 Queally,D 3pts
3 58 Reade,A 1pt

KOH Category 3: Mile Hill #1
1 82 Whelan,W 3pts
2 46 Roche,D 2pts
3 42 Mc Caffrey,T 1pt

KOH Category 3: Mile Hill #2
1 82 Whelan,W 3pts
2 84 O Dwyer,S 2pts
3 42 Mc Caffrey,T 1pt

Final General Classification

1 1 A1 Cassidy,Colm UCD 1 4h19'10"
2 85 A1 Walsh,Anthony Apoge Super U 4h19'33" @23"
3 57 A3 Forde,Nigel Galway Bay CC 4h19'54" @44"
4 41 A2 Mc Ilwaine,Conor Errigal CC 4h19'56" @46"
5 17 A2 VET Rimmer,Peter Lakeside Wheelers 2 4h20'00" @50"
6 20 A1 Brennan,David Castlebar CC 4h20'01" @51"
7 32 A1 Peelo,David Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 4h20'17" @01'07"
8 54 A1 Frawley,Liam Galway Bay CC 4h20'33" @01'23"
9 67 A1 Hennessy,Michael Fermoy CC 4h20'38" @01'28"
10 92 A3 Jun Corcoran,Liam Castlebar CC 4h20'41" @01'31"
11 100 A3 Jun Prendergast,Jason Cunga CC 4h20'58" @01'48"
12 34 A2 Steed,Ciaran Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 4h21'00" @01'50"
13 4 A3 Parker,Barrick UCD 1 4h21'15" @02'05"
14 30 A2 Byrne,William Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 4h21'18" @02'08"
15 49 A2 VET Martin,Brian Seven Springs 4h23'23" @04'13"
16 24 A2 Vet Troy,Chris Castlebar CC 4h23'25" @04'15"
17 76 A2 Vet Dumoulin,Laurent Kanturk CC 4h23'27" @04'17"
18 82 A3 Whelan,William Galtee Wheelers 4h23'29" @04'19"
19 53 A1 Joyce,Derek Galway Bay CC 4h23'35" @04'25"
20 33 A2 Enright,Gareth Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 4h23'38" @04'28"
21 60 A2 Cox,Stuart Black Rose racing 4h23'38" = s/t
22 46 A3 Roche,Damien West Clare CC 4h23'44" @04'34"
23 65 A3 Johnston,Cathal SDCC 4h23'47" @04'37"
24 89 A3 VET Devins,Michael Eire Og 4h23'49" @04'39"
25 48 A2 Nugent,David Seven Springs 4h23'49" = s/t
26 42 A3 Mc Caffrey,Ted Errigal CC 4h23'56" @04'46"
27 70 A3 O Connell,John Midleton CTC 4h23'58" @04'48"
28 7 A3 Gilvarry,Michael Western Lakes CC 4h24'00" @04'50"
29 19 A3 Crowley,Paul Lakeside Wheelers 2 4h24'12" @05'02"
30 16 A3 Cunnane,Billy Lakeside Wheelers 2 4h24'12" = s/t
31 66 A3 Maloney,Brendan SDCC 4h24'17" @05'07"
32 95 A3 Doyle,Paul Fermoy CC 4h24'18" @05'08"
33 99 A3 O'Rourke,James Western Lakes CC2 4h24'19" @05'09"
34 75 A3 Spain,John Bray Wheelers 4h24'19" = s/t
35 61 A3 Kidd,Graeme Usher IRC 4h24'20" @05'10"
36 26 A3 JUN Fitzsimons,David Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 4h24'23" @05'13"
37 59 A3 Walsh,Billy Black Rose racing 4h24'23" = s/t
38 56 A3 Jacobson,Alan Galway Bay CC 4h24'30" @05'20"
39 52 A3 Cleary,John Seven Springs 4h24'32" @05'22"
40 8 A3 Jun Heneghan,Kieran Western Lakes CC 4h24'35" @05'25"
41 9 A3 VET Ryan,Kevin Western Lakes CC 4h24'37" @05'27"
42 21 A3 Conroy,Rory Castlebar CC 4h24'38" @05'28"
43 78 A2 Collins,Aidan Orwell CC 4h24'45" @05'35"
44 40 A3 Hunter,Danny Errigal CC 4h24'45" = s/t
45 6 A2 Flaherty,JJ Western Lakes CC 4h24'48" @05'38"
46 97 A3 Maguire,Jim Shannonside Planet X CC 4h25'08" @05'58"
47 2 A2 Conluain,Ciaran UCD 1 4h25'44" @06'34"
48 84 A3 O Dwyer,Senan Limerick CC 4h26'43" @07'33"
49 31 A1 Lynch,John Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 4h28'16" @09'06"
50 55 A3 VET Bourke,Tony Galway Bay CC 4h29'10" @10'00"
51 91 A3 Ladies Dalton,Anne Orwell CC 4h29'57" @10'47"
52 14 A3 Kenny,Robbie Lakeside Wheelers 1 4h30'10" @11'00"
53 45 A3 Queally,Daithi West Clare CC 4h30'36" @11'26"
54 86 A2 Vet O Grady,Martin Team Toachim 4h31'25" @12'15"
55 83 A1 Kelly,Robin Waterford CC 4h31'32" @12'22"
56 43 A3 Donovon,Padraig West Clare CC 4h31'34" @12'24"
57 68 A1 Barrett,Olan Fermoy CC 4h31'43" @12'33"
58 71 A3 Creedon,Daithi South Side Wheely Wheelers 4h31'56" @12'46"
59 37 A3 Doyle,Derek Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 4h32'03" @12'53"
60 77 A3 Ladies Brice,Amy Phoenix CC 4h32'38" @13'28"
61 38 A3 Browne,Liam Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 4h32'46" @13'36"
62 80 A3 Clogher,Alan Stamullen CC 4h33'06" @13'56"
Stage 2b FINAL Results, Page: 4 © Séamus Shortall 2007
63 28 A3 Donnelly,Barry Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 4h33'10" @14'00"
64 62 A3 Vet Sharkey,Fergus Usher IRC 4h33'15" @14'05"
65 63 A3 Nevill,Brian Shannonside Planet X CC 4h33'30" @14'20"
66 58 A3 VET Reade,Aidan Black Rose racing 4h33'31" @14'21"
67 18 A3 jun Eoin,Lynch Lakeside Wheelers 2 4h33'35" @14'25"
68 51 A3 Kelly,James Seven Springs 4h33'41" @14'31"
69 13 A3 Berry,Ken Lakeside Wheelers 1 4h33'44" @14'34"
70 98 A2 Forrest,Denis Blarney CC 4h33'46" @14'36"
71 23 A3 Mc Cormack,Gareth Castlebar CC 4h34'16" @15'06"
72 101 A3 O'Connell,Keith Covey Wheelers 4h35'07" @15'57"
73 36 A3 Ryan,Enda Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 4h36'59" @17'49"
74 25 A3 Jun Walsh,Thomas Castlebar CC 2 4h37'10" @18'00"
75 11 A3 Marrey,Joe Western Lakes CC2 4h37'42" @18'32"
76 93 A3 Ladies McCrystal,Eve Garda CC 4h37'54" @18'44"
77 15 A3 Bracken,Ronan Lakeside Wheelers 1 4h38'27" @19'17"
78 12 A3 Moran,Michael Western Lakes CC2 4h38'38" @19'28"
79 3 A3 Doherty,Cathal UCD 1 4h39'19" @20'09"
80 44 A3 Bourke,David West Clare CC 4h39'54" @20'44"
81 90 A3 Ladies Conway,Caroline Usher IRC 4h39'56" @20'46"
82 5 A2 Collins,Ross UCD 1 4h41'08" @21'58"
83 10 A2 Flanagan,Michael Western Lakes CC 4h42'09" @22'59"

Team General Classification

1 UCD 1 13h00'59"
2 Galway Bay CC @ 03'03"
3 Castlebar CC @ 03'14"
4 Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 2 @ 03'27"
5 Lakeside Wheelers 2 @ 07'25"
6 Errigal CC @ 07'38"
7 Western Lakes CC @ 09'06"
8 Seven Springs @ 10'45"
9 Fermoy CC @ 15'41"
10 West Clare CC @ 16'37"
11 Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 1 @ 17'52"
12 Black Rose racing @ 20'33"
13 Usher IRC @ 36'32"
14 Western Lakes CC2 @ 39'40"
15 Murphy Surveys Kilcullen 3 @ 40'49"
16 Lakeside Wheelers 1 @ 41'22"

Points Competition

1 Corcoran,L 18
2 Cassidy,C 15
3 Kelly,R 10
4 Forde,N 8
5 O Connell,J 3
6 Queally,D 3

King of the Mountains

1 5 Collins,R 15
2 41 Mc Ilwaine,C 11
3 10 Flanagan,M 7
4 82 Whelan,W 6
5 84 O Dwyer,S 5
6 17 Rimmer,P 5