Downey, who won his first ever road race in the second round of the club league in Brittas a few weeks ago, took victory in in the A4 race from a break that contained three Orwell riders.
On windy day in Dunsany, an early break was established on the first lap by Downey and a couple of other riders. He was soon joined several other riders, including Orwell's Brian McArdle and Owen O'Flaherty. The break of eight worked well together to keep the gap over the next two laps, with Downey in particular working hard during his turns at the front.
As the race approached the finish in Dunsany, Downey attacked the break 100m before the final corner and managed to hold his gap on the uphill finish to take his victory with aplomb.
Behind him Brian McArdle sprinted strongly to take fourth place. McArdle, who thought he had enough points to upgrade to A3 after finishing second in the Hammond Memorial race two weeks ago, before finding out that that the distance meant a reduced number of upgrade points, was once again left disappointed because the distance in Dunsany meant points for only the top three. However, based on his string of results in the past few weeks, it's only a matter of time before McArdle makes his exit for A3.
Orwell's Owen O'Flaherty was unlucky to miss out on the prizes, finishing just outside them in seventh after riding strongly in the break. The result was indicative of O'Flaherty's steadily improving form in recent months and a breakthrough is undoubtedly not too far away.
Dunsany GP: A4
1 E Downey Orwell
2 P Doocey Navan RC
3 D Hannon Annagh Whlrs
4 B Mc Ardle Orwell
5 B Cunnihane Lakeside Whlrs
6 D Gough Dungarvan C C
7 O O'Flaherty Orwell
