Creighton and Love take victories at John Haldane Memorial, Newry

*Eric Creighton, who has represented Ireland already in her career, takes victory today in the McKinley Contracts Shield promoted by Newry Wheelers (Photos with thanks to Sharon McFarland)*

Erin Creighton (McConvey Cycles) has taken her first win of the season at the McKinley Contracts Shield, which was part of the John Haldane promotion set to continue tomorrow.

The promoting club, Newry Wheelers, decided to split the fixture over two days this weekend, with the women's race and the A4 event both held today. Newry Wheelers will hold another two races tomorrow - for A1-A2 and A3-Junior riders - after being very quick off the mark to get the weekend of racing organised so soon after pandemic restrictions were relaxed.

Creighton, who was 3rd last weekend at the PJ Logan Cup, took a clear win today ahead of the other riders in her group. A Youth Olympics rider for Ireland less than two years ago, she had plenty of time to celebrate her win as she crossed the line today.

Jemma Speed (North Down CC) and Darcey Harkness (VC Glendale) completed the podium on the day. Creighton’s team mate Amelia Taylor was 4th with Ciara Havern of promoting club Newry Wheelers in 5th.

*A classic shot by **Sharon McFarland** of a big bunch in full flight sprinting to the chequered flag; the victory taken by Karl Love out front in the blue of VC Glendale*

In the A4 race, Karl Love took another win for VC
Glendale just two weeks after taking victory in a bunch finish at the Annaclone
GP.

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This time around Love won in another sprint and, like
Creighton’s victory, there was no need for a photo finish camera; Love winning
in a manner that suggests he will do very well this season.

After he sprinted in for the victory in wet conditions,
lengths ahead of his nearest challengers, it was Ben Bowler of Phoenix CC and
Aidan McGinley of TVR who prove best of the rest in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Others to emerge out of the big bunch sprint to the line with points and prizes, for 4th through 6^th, were: John Berry (Armagh City Cyclists), David Brown (Shimna Wheelers) and, last weekend’s winner at the PJ Logan, Ryan Andrews (Unattached).

Maia Simmons, the young rider competing with Canyon Development this season, again made her mark; getting into the top 10 in the big gallop for 10th place and the junior prize.