Ulster Hill Climb Champs | O'Neill, Matthews, Newel claim titles

Adam Matthews put in a great performance to win the junior Ulster title, clocking a time that would have secured him a medal in the senior event (Photo: Dany Blondeel)

Less than a week after winning the inaugural McGinty Autumn Classic in Co Wicklow, and the €1,000 for victory, Gareth O'Neill has extended his late season charge with victory today, Saturday, at the Ulster Hill Climb Championships.

On a day with big gaps between the riders, O'Neill (Athlete Nutrition Coach HD) blasted up the 5km ascent of Slieve Croob in Co Down - with 365m of elevation gain - in a time of 14:42 to emerged winner of the senior men's title.

The event was Dromara CC's annual Slieve Croob Hill Climb doubling at the Ulster title race this year, with the senior men's event won by O'Neill by 29 seconds from Conor Dooney (Foyle CC). Stuart Millar (Ards CC) claimed the bronze medal, at 56 seconds.

The senior women's title was won by Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles), in a time of 21:36, while Katrina Polack (Armagh City Cyclists) was crowned Masters women's champion, in a time of 25:43.

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In the junior men's race, Adam Matthews of Banbridge CC claimed the Ulster title with a time of 14:52, which was just 10 seconds slower than O'Neill in the senior event and would have secured the junior rider the silver medal in that senior title race.

Elliott McKeegan of Team Madigan, who has established himself as a junior track international this season, took the silver medal, some 59 seconds down on the flying Matthews. James Armstrong, the VC Glendale man who has had such a good season this year, claimed bronze and was just one second slowed than McKeegan.

Stuart McCaughey (Phoenix CC) was crowned Masters 40 champion, in a time of 15:42, with Aaron Parks (Banbridge CC) taking silver in 17:14 and Simon Torrens-Spence (Crossgar CC) claiming the bronze medal in 19:21.

Sat, Sept 20th | Ulster Hill Climn Championships

Slieve Croob Hill Climb Challenge

Slieve Croob (5km, 365m elevation gain)

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Promoted by Dromara CC

Senior Men

  1. Gareth O'Neill Athlete Nutrition Coach HD 14:42
  2. Conor Dooney Foyle CC 15:11
  3. Stuart Millar Ards CC 15:38
  4. Ryan Burke Old Bleach Cycle Club 17:34

Junior Men

  1. Adam Matthews Banbridge CC 14:52
  2. Elliott McKeegan Team Madigan C.C. 15:51
  3. James Armstrong VC Glendale 15:52

Senior Women

  1. Rachel Newell McConvey Cycles 21:36

Master Women

  1. Katrina Polack Armagh City Cyclists 25:43

Masters 40

  1. Stuart McCaughey Phoenix CC 15:24
  2. Aaron Parks Banbridge CC 17:14
  3. Simon Torrens-Spence Crossgar Cycling Club 19:21

Masters 50 

  1. Neil McKenna AHC Racing 16:31
  2. Des Woods Inspired Cycling 17:55
  3. Alastair Gribbon Carn Wheelers 18:03
  4. Geoff Alderdice Dromore CC 18:20
  5. Michael Hegarty Old Bleach Cycle Club 18:23
  6. Cathal Smyth Phoenix CC 18:27
  7. Shane McNeill Inspired Cycling 19:18
  8. David Neil Armstrong VC Glendale 20:42

Masters 60

  1. Alan Watson Dromara Cycling Club 20:24
  2. David Nixon Shimna Wheelers Cycling Club 24:11

Masters 70 

  1. Gold Michael Currid Bann Wheelers CC 26:09

Under 16 

  1. James Mackey Foyle CC 15:38 (6th overall)

Open Non-Championship

  1. Samuel Luke Newcastle West Cycling Club 16:20
  2. Patrick McGrath Open 17:52
  3. Philip Giles Ards CC 19:09
  4. Cathal McCabe Moynalty Cycling Club 20:25
  5. Dominic McBride Phoenix CC 28:08
  6. Richard Nicholl Banbridge CC 33:33

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