Late attack from junior Eddie Dunbar makes it look very easy against elites in Blarney

Eddie Dunbar is winning races against elite riders - starting with the A1s in handicapped events - with apparent ease now (Photo: Sean Rowe)

 

 

 

By Brian Canty

Eddie Dunbar racked up his latest win yesterday when he romped to a brilliant victory at the annual Donal Crowley Memorial in Blarney.

The Leaving Cert student from Banteer, riding for the O'Leary's Stone Kanturk team, broke away by himself on the last of eight laps and soloed to the finish, crossing the line some 30 seconds ahead of Eoin O'Connell of the host club.

Dunbar's team mate Dylan O'Brien, another very talented Irish junior international, rounded out the podium for third.

O'Brien just edged out Stephen Shanahan and Chris Jeuken who snapped up the minor placings before the peloton was led in by Darragh McCarthy (Carraig Donn) from Bryan Long (St Finbarr's) and Will Whelan (Kilmallock CC).

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Winner Dunbar, the reigning Junior Tour of Ireland champion who will aim to defend that title next month, started with the A1-A2 scratch group yesterday. They were given a one-minute handicap on the large A3 bunch.

However, with a quality group off scratch, that margin was whittled back in no time and by the third lap the race was all back together.

With one major climb in the ten-kilometre lap, it wasn't surprising to see Dunbar attack repeatedly on that incline.

On one occasion he moved clear with Eddie Barry (Liquidworx-Fitscience), Dylan O'Brien and a number of others. But that was brought back before the riders took the bell for the last lap.

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While a bunch sprint might have been expected at that point, Dunbar took matters into his own hands and attacked on that last lap, gaining never more than 30-40 seconds.

As soon as he crested the climb for the final time and had gone down the other side he was home and dry, though a chase group did form behind him.

The man known as the 'pocket rocket' was fourth the night before in the Ray Looney Criterium Race, an event won by Paidi O'Brien (Osbourne Meats-Edge Sports) from Dylan O'Brien (O'Leary's Stone Kanturk) and Eoin O'Connell (Blarney CC).

 

 

 

 

Donal Crowley Memorial, Blarney Cork

  1. Eddie Dunbar (O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk;
  2. Eoin O’Connell (Blarney CC);
  3. Dylan O’Brien (O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk CC);
  4. Stephen Shanahan (Limerick CC);
  5. Chris Jeuken (Visit Nenagh CC);
  6. Darragh McCarthy (Carraig Donn CC);
  7. Bryan Long (St Finbarr’s CC);
  8. Will Whelan (Kilmallock CC)
  • First Woman: Fiona Meade (Blarney CC)

 

 

Kay Stratton Memorial, Blarney, Co Cork

  1. Joe O’Leary (Killarney CC)
  2. Richard Mies (Killarney CC)
  3. Karl McCArthy (De Ronde Van Cork)
  4. Clyde Gaffney (CRNS Shannon)
  5. Stephen McCarthy (Blarney CC)
  6. David O’Sullivan (Unattached)
  7. Robert Bridgeman (Blarney CC)
  8. Seamus Finn (Galtee Wheelers)
  • First Woman; Stapel Broel (Kenmare CC)

 

 

 

 

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