Mellor leads the Orwell charge in Stamullen
Brendan Carroll Memorial, Stamullen, Co. Meath, Saturday 4th July
Kevin McInerney Memorial, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow, Sunday 5th July
Tommy Sheehan Memorial, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Sunday 5th July
Rachael Kaye Mellor took her first outright victory Stamullen last Saturday on a day when Orwell riders featured throughout the prize list in the Brendan Carroll Memorial races.
It was a great day for the Orwell youth squad, a testament to the hard work and commitment put in by Aidan and the rest of the parents helping in the Orwell 'Youth Academy'.
As always Gaybo was on hand to entertain us all on the PA brightening up the day through the rain showers that dogged the start of the senior race. The finish was always going to be an exciting one with the line set up at the top of the hill in the village testing all of the competitors' hill sprinting capabilities.
The races started off with the U12 which had two Orwell riders Rachael Kaye Mellor (12) and her younger brother Timothy (10). Rachael scored her first win of the season with a brilliantly timed powerful sprint up to the finish, winning in the end by a bike length over Declan Mulholland of Clann Eireann who has been winning consistently this season. Timothy also continued to make good progress coming in 7th in his first season just a few seconds down from the main bunch.
If that wasn't enough, there was the U14 race with Darragh Long and Craig Arrigan of Orwell competing as always. With his current form, Craig was always going to be one of the favourites and he did not disappoint, winning by half a wheel. Darragh also came in a strong 6th place in the final sprint. Craig continued his good form the following day, recording another fine win in the Tommy Sheehan Memorial Races in Carrick-on-Suir.
This all bodes well for Orwell in the upcoming Irish youth championship in Arklow this weekend and support from the club of this two day weekend would be very much appreciated.
The senior race started with some heavy showers and Orwell was represented by Stephen McNally, Orla Hendon, Michelle Geoghegan and Mark Dunne. To spice things up there was a prime for each of the 7 laps of the race and it was not surprising to see Stephen getting the first of these with one of his trademark breaks. He also managed to get the third prime and came first vet! To top a great day for Orwell, Michelle Geoghegan got first lady.
Results
Brendan Carroll Memorial
SENIORS (7 laps. 5-mile course)
1. John Lynch (Bray Wheelers). 1hr.27m 00s
2. Stephen Halpin (Bio Agrico)
3. Derek Burke (Usher IRC)
4. Robert Moore (Stamullen M Donnelly)
5. Michael Reddan (Dublin Wheelers)
6. Daniel Kirwan (Usher IRC)
7. Fiachra O'Muire (Usher IRC)
8. Daire O'Sullivan (EuroCycles)
UNPLACED VETS
1. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. John Wall (Engraveit.ie)
WOMEN
1. Michelle Geoghegan (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
U12
1. Rachael Kaye Mellor (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Declan Mulholland (Linen Green Clann Eireann)
3. Elizabeth Corbally (Navan RC)
4. Siobhan Murtagh (Navan RC)
5. Angelo O'Connor (Laois CC)
6. Laura Wall (Navan RC)
7. Timothy Mellor (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
U14
1. Craig Arrigan (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers CC)
3. Kieran Coughlan (Covey Wheelers)
4. Aidan Wall (Navan RC)
5. Chris Kennedy (Covey Wheelers)
6. Darragh Long (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
Kevin McInerney Memorial
1st Lady - Michelle Geoghegan (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
Tommy Sheehan Memorial
U14
1. Craig Arrigan (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
