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Comeragh Cycling Club News
Silver Pail GP Fermoy 06/04/2009
With only a week to go before the first big stage races of the year, Comeragh CC riders traveled to Fermoy for the annual Silver Pail GP, to test there form before next weekends multi stage events. It was a well attended event with racing for both under age and senior competitors. In the senior A and B event Comeragh CC had 7 starters, Robin Kelly, Keith Gater, Conor McGrath, Mark Nugent, Don Feighery, David Butler and Thomas Lavery while in the Senior 3 event Michael McGrath, Martin Cullinane, Finbar Power and Eoin O Shea were the clubs warriors. Pat and Cian Power were providing service for the Senior A and B race, many thanks to them for providing the back up. The senior riders went to the line at 1pm, with winds blowing and a testing course over undulating dead roads it would be a good test and a marker on how the winters training has prepared the Comeragh CC lads for next week ends 3 and 4 day events. As usual the senior A and B race went off at a hectic pace with attacks straight from the drop of the flag. It was not long before a break away group started to form, Keith Gater was the first Comeragh man in this break driving it on the front to see if they could gain an advantage, Robin Kelly quickly spotted that this move contained some of the other pre race favorites and he made sure he was not going to be left behind. He quickly fought hard and joined this small group at the head of the field.
This breakaway group which now contained 2 Comeragh riders along with riders like ex professional Paul Griffin, first year senior Sam Bennett and Michael Concannon, gradually moved away from the main bunch, with attacks being covered by the remaining Comeragh riders, that proved to be the move of the day. As the race continued the pace and the conditions took it toll on the breakaway group, it was whittled down to 5 riders, with Keith the last man loosing contact, only to be joined by Conor McGrath who with Martin O’Loughlin and local favorite Michael Hennessey had left the main field on the final lap and picked up and passed the remnants of the breakaway.
This group of was now racing for 6th place. Up front not fancying a high speed sprint finish against one of the countries fastest finishers Robin was attacked by some of his breakaway companions who opened a slight gap on him coming to the line, Paul Griffin was first over followed by Sam Bennett with Robin 3rd. Keith Gater finished in the next group in 8th place with Conor McGrath in 9th. The other Comeragh finished closely behind in what was by now a fragmented field.
In the Senior 3 race Martin Cullinane was to the fore (on a shiny new bike, suits you sir!), this time his work was rewarded with a fine 5th place with Michael McGrath just outside the prizes in 11th place while Eoin O Shea and Finbar Power finished in the main field.
Next weekend Comeragh CC riders will be at the 4 day Kerry Group Ras Mumhan based in Killorglin and the An Post Gorey 3 day the best of luck to them.
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