Paidi O’Brien was in the late breakaway caught at the line but still held on for the win
By Brian Canty
Paidi O’Brien proved yet again why he is one of the best pure sprinters in the country at present when he took victory in today’s Rás Naomh Finian promoted by Clonard CC.
The Planet Tri rider forged his way into the decisive breakaway of around 15 riders on the homeward leg of the out-and-back route in Co Meath, and his trademark finishing kick was enough to see off Stephen Halpin (Polygon Sweet Nice) and Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly).
It was O’Brien’s first win of the 2013 season and the second for the newly-formed Co Clare team after team mate Barry Meade won the season opening Ned Flanagan Memorial in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, last month.
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With less than three weeks to go to the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan over the Easter Weekend, the timing of the win could hardly have been better for a man who’ll be one to watch in Kerry.
Today’s A1/A2 race was the headline event of the day, with separate A3 and A4 races also down for decision. And it was just as well the races were broken up, as a whopping field of over 250 riders took the start-line across all three races.
First off were the A2s who were given a one minute advantage on the A1s and before long a decent break surged off the front with some 14 riders in it. They rode a good tempo and at the halfway point still had around 20 seconds on the A1s and remaining A2s behind.
But turning into a strong headwind for the remaining 35 kilometres was always likely to result in a regrouping and so it proved.
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The closing 30 kilometres was a cagey affair with several riders jumping away only to be reeled in before too long. Halpin and Ryan Sherlock (both Polygon Sweet Nice) tried several times but were closely marked while riders from well represented clubs such as Orwell Wheelers, Swords CC and Kilcullen CC also had several digs.
Eventually the elastic snapped, with a group containing the likes of Halpin, O’Brien, Paddy Clarke (Western Edge Castlebar CC) and David Walsh (Slaney CC) clipping away but never pulling out more than 20 seconds, due mainly to strong riding on the front from Orwell and Swords.
The breakaway was caught within sight of the line but just as the two groups merged, O’Brien did what he needed to, breaking the tape a few bike lengths ahead of Halpin.
Local man Ciarán Mangan did well to finish as first A2 rider while the KOH in the race went to Aaron O’Donoghue from South Dublin CC.
One rider who deserves special mention for her ride in the race is Francis Meehan (Aquablue) who took the women’s prize, finishing well up in the feature event.
A1/A2 70km, in 1hr40m
1 Paidi O Brien (Planet Tri)
2 Stephen Halpin (Polygon Sweet Nice)
3 Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly)
4 Eugene Murtagh (Staggs Lucan)
5 David Walsh (Slaney CC)
6 Ciarán Hallinan (DID Dunboyne)
7 Simon Ryan (Visit Nenagh.ie)
8 Ciarán Mangan (Clonard RC) - also 1st A2
2nd A2 Keith Walls (Navan RC)
3rd A2 Eric Downey (Orwell Wheelers)
KOH: Aaron O'Donoghue – (South Dublin CC)
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