Open Racing

Orwell are very active on the national scene - see all the results and reports from open races here.

There was plenty of Orwell action across the plains of Meath and the hills of Carlow at the weekend, with Valdis Andersons winning a bunch sprint for 2nd, Tom Blennerhassett in the mix again, and a great showing for the women with Aideen Keenan, Monica Marconi and Claire McEntee all taking home prizes. Read on!

The weekend was a busy one despite the lack of a St Patrick's Day race, and a very successful one - with two top ten finishes and a magnificent 6th overall for Tom Blennerhassett in Rás Maigh Eo, and Philippe Bourdarias taking 4th on the final stage. In Slane, Orla Hendron stayed out of trouble in the women's race to take 4th, and Mark Mulcahy earned 5th in the A4s. Off-road, the club had two top ten finishes in Ticknock with Jamal Ahmed and Eric Downey.

Ahead of today's National League opener, we asked Ned Flanagan winner Aideen Keenan to reflect on her experiences in Clonard last weekend.

With no Orwell results in Clonard on Saturday, all eyes were on Newbridge to salvage the weekend, and the club did not disappoint! Diarmuid Collins, Mark Mulcahy and Ciara Kinch all took home prizes, read about them below.

The weather could not have been more different, but Orwell riders brought home the bacon both days last weekend. In Summerhill, Tom Blennerhassett, David Halpin and Brian McNally lit it up on Dorey's Forge, while in Navan Ciara Kinch tore it up for second place, while Juniors Rachael Kaye-Mellor and Naoise Sheridan also took home prizes.

On a damp and dismal day in Dundalk, Monica Marconi netted herself a great third place in the women's race at the Trader's Cup.

It's a delight to commence the 2014 race reports with a superb win for Aideen Keenan in Monasterevin yesterday, and a fine fourth for Bernard English in the A4 event.

For the much-delayed final review of the year, we've listed all the championship and medal-winning results from the club - provincial, national and world titles. Click through!

Throughout 2013, Orwell has entered teams in stage races the length and breadth of the country, and we've pulled together as many of the results from these as possible.

As we hit the final month of the year, and all thoughts start to turn to next season - training and preparation, let's take a quick few moments to have a review of the year's results.