Leaders Craig Sweetman and Daire Feely crashing on the finishing straight, as Lucan's Ronan Killeen - who was just behind - rounds the final bend to sprint to victory (Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com)
By Gerard Cromwell
Ronan Killeen of Lucan CRC overcame a last minute crash ahead of him to snatch the JJ Kinahan Memorial in Birr last night.
Killeen was part of a four man breakaway group that went clear 20 minutes into the 45 minute and three lap race in Co Offaly.
He was clear alongside Daire Feeley of Domamon Dynamos, Galway Bay's Tony Burke and Stamullen veteran Craig Sweetman.
The quartet lapped the field towards the end of the race and were left on the 750m circuit to contest the victory alone.
On the last lap Feeley and Sweetman went clear of the other two and with a few metres advantage coming into the final bend just 100m from the line, they looked set to contest the victory.
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Feeley however lost control on the corner, taking Sweetman out with him and allowing Killeen and Burke another chance at glory, with Killen getting the verdict.
Sweetman pedalled across the line with an elbow injury that later required stitches, while Feeley was forced to walk the last 100 metres.
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In an act of great sportsmanship, Killeen - who won the Rás Mhaigh Eo stage race back in March - cycled back down the finishing straight to commiserate with Feely as he walked to the line with his bike; both getting great applause from the crowd.
J.J. Kinahan Criterium
Wed, August 7th
Promoted by Wolftrap CC
- Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC)
- Tony Burke (Galway Bay CC)
- Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly)
- Daire Feeley (Donamon Dynmos)
- Alan Burke (Murphy Surveys Kilcullen)
- Sean Reynolds (Bikeworx)
Primes
- Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly)
- Alan Burke, (Murphy Surveys Kilcullen)
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