Back in the game Shanahan wins from Yelverton and McCarter

*Stephen Shanahan shows his delight at winning the Brian McNamara Memorial Race promoted by Réalt Tuam CC in Galway* *(Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com – follow Jimmy on Facebook and Twitter)*

By Brian Canty

Having missed most of the year because of his Leaving Cert, Stephen Shanahan has won the Brian McNamara Memorial in Tuam in just his third outing of the campaign.

The former Irish junior international sprinted home at the head of a four-man break, beating Sean Yelverton (Mego racing team), Paul McCarter (Donegal Bay CC) and Mike Storan (Fitscience-Coleman Electronics).

It’s a great win for the young Limerick CC man in what was only his third race of the year and because it came on a gruelling circuit and on a very hard day for racing.

The contest was 115 kilometres - eight laps of 14.4 kilometres - and the handicap award to the A3 group was wiped out on the second lap when they were caught by the scratch men.

*Keith Nugent (Seven Springs CC) takes the A4 race from Jools Cantwell of Orwell Wheelers and Pat Bilbow of Ballina CC* *(Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com – follow Jimmy on Facebook and Twitter)*

There then followed a period of intense attacking, with last year’s winner Daire Feeley (iTap) particularly prominent.

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He made his way into the eight-man group that managed to escape, while the aforementioned Yelverton (Mego Racing Team), Storan (Fitscience-Coleman Electronics), Caimin Muldoon (NRPT-Magnet.ie), Shanahan and three others also present.

Disaster would strike Feeley as he punctured out of the break and never managed to get back on terms despite a very impressive chase.

The seven ahead worked very well up until the last lap when the co-operation began to wane and the bunch behind began to close in, coming to within 30 seconds.

Storan took some strong turns coming to the line but it was Shanahan who kicked with 300 metres to go and managed to hold off Yelverton and McCarter.

Sun, July 26th: Brian McNamara Memorial

Promoted by Realt Tuam CC

1 Stephen Shanahan (Limerick CC)
2 Sean Yelverton (Mego Racing Team)
3 Paul McCarter (Donegal Bay CC)
4 Mike Storan (Fitscience-Coleman Electronics)
5 Declan Egan (Cadence Cycling)
6 Caimin Muldoon (NRPT/Magnet.ie)
7 Nigel Forde (Galway Bay CC)
8 Conor Hennebry (Carrick Wheelers)

Unplaced A3 Dave Guerin (Clarina CC)
Unplaced Vet Cathal Dillane (Galway Bay CC)
Unplaced Junior Karl Benson (Castlebar CC)

A4 Race

1 Keith Nugent (Seven Springs CC)
2 Jules Cantwell (Orwell Wheelers)
3 Pat Bilbow (Ballina CC)
4 Andrew Higgins (Ballina CC)
5 Eoin Hogan (Burren Racing Team)
6 Micheal Cahill (Upperchurch Drombane CC)