Murphy strings them out but Ní Reachtagáin too good when it matters most | Sticky Bottle

*Claire Ní Reachtagáin got a clear run at the line and sealed her latest win at Corkagh Park in Dublin (Photo: Matthew Lysaght-Cycling Ireland)*

Olympic medal winner, at sailing, Annalise Murphy may have strung out the field with a show of power at the latest round of the 'Women's Cycling League' but it was Claire Ní Reachtagáin who proved too good for her rivals when it mattered.

The Sundrive Track Team rider claimed victory when the field failed to split; her turn of speed in the final sprint adding to her impressive ride at the league.

Murphy, who won silver for Ireland in Rio 2016, started her road racing career - having just returned from the Tokyo Games - with a bang last week when she won in Corkagh Park, Dublin.

*Annalise Murphy, in pink, on the front and stringing them out; her pace the main factor in ensuring the highest average speed in the series this year so far (Photo: Matthew Lysaght-Cycling Ireland)*

On that occasion, she set off in the limit group in the 'A Race' and then went clear in a three-rider breakaway before the scratch riders made contact. She eventually dropped her two fellow escapees to win solo.

However, her second race saw her go off with the scratch group. And while she put in a show of strength on the front, stringing out the field lap after lap, she couldn't break free, though the race was the fastest of the summer to date.

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After her brute force put everyone up pressure, but failed to force a split, more experience riders stepped up with more targeted bursts of power. While there were many attacks, it was Kate Earlie (St Tiernan's) and Eva Donovan (Tipp Wheelers) who were to the fore in dishing it out.

*Ellen Murray of TC Racing wins from a sprint in the ‘B Race’ at Corkagh Park (Photo: Matthew Lysaght-Cycling Ireland)*

However, their efforts also failed to get a lasting breakaway clear and when Ní Reachtagáin came to the finish line sprinting for the win, she was clearly in her element; letting rip for victory.

The Sundrive rider, already a winner at Corkagh Park this year and a medalist at the National Omnium Championships, sprinted to victory ahead of Aideen Kennan (Dublin Wheelers) and Emma Smith (Navan Road Club).

The 'B Race' was won by Ellen Murray (TC Racing) from Aoife Malone (Rockabill Roadies) and Liz Hanley (Dublin Fire Brigade CC).