The 3rd round of the Appleby Orwell Women's League saw good numbers sign on again in Corkagh Park. After the 1st crit the previous week handicaps were set and a great night of racing saw some good sprint finishes. Reports on tonight's racing are thanks to John Hammer who was on hand with his camera and took time after to do a write up.....

The B race in the Appleby Orwell Women’s Crit league was the opening contest in Corkagh Park on Tuesday evening .
The race got underway with the lone Navan Road Club rider Aoife Mooney leading off ahead of the next 12 B racers who were in turn followed by the B + quintet of Katie Reilly & Aisling Ui Neil ( Scott Orwell Wheelers ) Hannah Tilly & Keela Mc Hale ( Arcane CC ) and Ciara Wilson ( PSI )

The B group reeled in Aoife Mooney on the second lap . The B+ group were working well together as they made inroads into the lead of the B group but it was made a bit easier with some of the less experienced riders losing touch with the B group after a few laps . The pace of the B + group remained constant and eventually they were on terms with the remaining B riders the stronger of the B group were able to remain with the B+ riders for the remainder of the race ,and taking the Bell for the final lap there were 12 riders in close contention with Arcane represented with 3 riders , Scott Orwell Wheelers had 3 riders also Navan RC had just one . There was some outstanding performances by riders in this group riders who are definately improving on the showing last evening . Carla Fitzsimons (LCRC ) & Annemarie Cooke ( DWCC) both caught the eye doing solid riding through out the night and Newbie Lisa Cassidy is a future star on last evening’s creditable 7th place .

The Arcane riders who are both Juniors were leading nearing the home straight but it was the U/14 Scott Orwell rider Katie Reilly who made a determined effort in the home straight leading on the approach to the finish line but it was the U/16 rider Emma Smith ( Navan RC ) who timed her attack to perfection and got the better of Reilly and won by a length with Keela Mc Hale in 3rd and Hannah Tilly 4th Cartach Mc Carthy 5th Aisling Ui Neil 6th Lisa Cassidy 7th and Roisin Mc Daid ( Moynalty ) 8th

B Race Results:
1. Emma Smith, Navan
2. Katie Reilly, Scott Orwell Wheelers
3. Keela McHale, Arcane
4. Hannah Tilly, Arcane
5. Carthach McCarthy, Scott Orwell Wheelers
6. Aisling ui Neill, Scott Orwell Wheelers
7. Lisa Cassidy, Dunboyne
8. Roisin McDaid, Moynalty

B race finish - photo thanks to John Hammer

Success breeds Success is a familiar saying and it was well displayed in the A race in the Appleby Orwell Women’s Crit League.

Thirteen riders started in the A group several new faces among this group and it was great to welcome back Ossory CC racer Angela Hoare . This group started with a minute lead over the A + group .

This group of A + riders included the much in form Autumn Collins ( Torelli ) the Sundrive Track Team trio of Sofie Loscher Jennifer Neenan and Clair Reachtaigin Jennifer Bates ( Bioracer DHL ) Aideen Keenan & Lyndsey Bryce ( DWCC ) Aishling Hoare ( Dunboyne CC ) UCD trio Orla Walsh Emma Barker & Megan Davenport . Scott Orwell Pair of Orla Hendron & Monica Freidband . Niamh Stevens TC RACING and Unattached rider Beata Golczak .

Fifteen riders who set off in determined fashion trying to bring back the A group in the early laps the pace was set by Sofie Loscher and also seen up front was Autumn Collins ( Torelli ) The group worked very well together sharing the workload it was an exciting race to watch as they got closer and closer to the A group who were equally working well together much of the driving in the early laps was done by Aileen Curran ( Stamullan RC ) and Aisling O’Connor ( Scott Orwell ) also seen to the fore was Helen Kelly ( St Tiernans ) with 5 laps from the finish Orla Hendron ( Scott Orwell ) went away on a solo attack and her lead extended to about 100 metres before the bunch were set alight with Aideen Keenan and the two Co Limerick racers Autumn Collins and Lucy O’Donnell as the closed on Hendron the bunch stalled and the advantage was seized upon by the two Limerick Women who quickly established a lead and the pair forgeed ahead remaining clear in the home straight on the final lap Lucy O Donnell was no match for the senior woman who pulled clear of her Junior rival they finished 1st and second the bunch sprint was won by Sofie Loscher narrowly from Aideen Keenan .. Clair Ni Reachtagain placed 5th last weeks B race winner Nikki Taggart placed 6th Emma Porter in 7th and Lyndsey Bryce (DWCC) 8th .

All in all this was one of the best races I have had the pleasure of watching.

Yours in Sport

John Hammer

A Race field - photo thanks to John Hammer


A Race:
1. Autumn Collins, Team Torelli
2. Lucy O'Donnell, Kanturk
3. Sophie Loscher, Sundrive
4. Aideen Keenan, Dublin Wheelers
5. Claire Ni Reachtagain, Sundrive
6. Nikki Taggert, Arcane
7. Emma Porter, UCD
8. Lyndsay Bryce, Dublin Wheelers

Photos:
Round 3 B Race

Round 3 A Race

Brendan Culleton's Photos