Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) and Conor Murphy (Rostrevor MTB) have won the main events at the Youth National Cyclocross Championships in Co Louth. On a very cold and breezy day for 'cross racing, Rafferty and Murphy were clear victors, taking the national titles by over a minute.
In the U14 races the contests were closer, especially in the boys race. Rian McCrystal of host club Bellurgan Wheelers and Caleb McGreevy (VC Glendale) have turned into great rivals this season; both capable of beating the other on their day.
However, on the biggest day of the season it was McCrystal who, just about, got the upper hand; beating McGreevy 12 seconds after a huge final lap. Meanwhile, Fionn Crinion of IMBRC wasn't too far away, taking the bronze just 32 seconds down on McGreevy.
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In the U14 girls race, Emer Heverin (Kinning Cycles) is the 2023 champion. She won the gold medal by 1:31 from Aoife Craig, another of the VC Glendale riders in the medals today, while Katie Turner of Orwell Wheelers took the bronze at 2:59.
The U12 girls race was won by Laoise Crinnion (IMBRC), after a close battle with Eire McCrystal (Bellurgan Wheelers); just 17 seconds separating gold and silver. Rose Linehan (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) was 3rd at 1:01.
The U12 boys race was won by James Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers) by 28 seconds from Eunan Campbell (Square Wheelers). Rory McCool, another Square Wheelers man, took the bronze medal at 1:57.
How the races unfolded
In the U16 girls race, over three laps, Rafferty took the title by 1:39 from Greta Lawless (Team Worc) with Faith Robinson (Bray Wheelers) in 3rd at 2:17.
Rafferty started as she meant to continue, taking an early lead over Lawless on the opening lap. She had a 28-second advantage over her nearest rival as they went out onto the second lap. Robinson was 49 seconds down on the leader after that opening lap and was being chased by Kate Murphy (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) and Aoibhinn Sharkey (VC Glendale).
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On the second lap, Rafferty extended her advantage over Lawless by a further 10 seconds, with Robinson shipping 32 seconds to the lone leader. On the final passage of the circuit, the gap between Rafferty and Lawless only increased by another two seconds, though the title was already in the bag at that stage; Rafferty winning from Lawless and Robinson.
The U16 boys race saw the same pattern emerge; eventual winner Murphy striking out early in the contest. At the end of the opening lap he was 16 seconds up on eventual silver medal winner David Gaffney (Dungarvan CC). Curtis McKee (VC Glendale) was running 3rd, some 35 seconds down on the leader, with Ryan Daly (Scott Bright Motor Group) another few seconds back in 4th.
On the second lap, Rostrevor MTB's Murphy continued to pile on the pressure out front; taking another 29 seconds out of Gaffney and 37 seconds out of McKee. The last lap followed the same pattern; Murphy extending his gap again to run out the clear winner.
In the end, Murphy had 1:03 on silver medal man Gaffney, with bronze medal winner McKee at 1:54, followed by Ryan in 4th place at 2:20 and Jack Woods (Carlow RCC) placing 5th at 2:28.
In the U14 boys race, it was McGreevy who got the best start. By the end of the opening lap he was 17 seconds up on McCrystal, who was with Crinnion. McGreevy was again faster on the second lap, adding seven seconds to his advantage over McCrystal, who was still riding with Crinnion some 25 seconds behind the lone leader.
However, on the final lap McCrystal but in a huge effort; posting the fastest lap of the race to catch and pass McGreevy before riding away from him to win, with Crinnion 3rd.
In the U14 girls race, eventual winner Heverin went out hard; opening a gap of 29 seconds on Craig and 58 seconds on Turner on the opening lap. Through the remaining two laps, those gaps grew bigger; Heverin put another 31 and 59 seconds of daylight between herself and Craig and Turner respectively on lap 2.
On the line, Heverin took the gold by 1:31 from Craig, with Turner 3rd at 2:59; those three the only riders in the race to finish on the same lap. The junior, second and masters title races take place at the same venue on Sunday.
