Finishing 3^rd overall in the Ras na nOg was a huge confidence booster for me after crashing and breaking my collarbone last winter. Seeing the trophies was a delight on the final day and made me look forward to the presentation. As I stood on the podium on the final day, I felt so proud as it was my first time and I was so delighted to come home with my trophies and so many amazing memories.

Saturday started off with a crit on a 1.7km circuit. The U12’s had 3 laps to do, and it was a get go from the start! I was both excited and a little nervous before the start of the race. There were 24 boys in my race, many with placings from last year. It was a challenging race, with some tight cornering going on in the peloton. Unfortunately, I burned myself on the first lap as I was too eager to be in the front but I kept a good position until the end. While sprinting to the finish line, I wanted to lap this kid from Ulster twice. Luckily, I just lapped him on the line and came home with 6^th place on stage 1.

Later in the afternoon was stage 2. It was the toughest circuit of the weekend. There were many hills and fast descents, which I enjoyed! I was at the middle back of the bunch and there was a long downhill before the final climb to the finish: I overtook lots of boys during the downhill section.

Everybody started sprinting on the final climb towards the finish line. As the kid from Sliabh Luachra who won first place sped up, James Cunningham and myself followed and when I looked back we were clear from the bunch and I just continued to sprint.

I finished my first ever podium place with 3^rd on that stage, and was going 4^th overall into Sunday.

Stage 3 saw a fast and flat circuit. It was cool seeing Cycling Leinster in the main bunch, it made me feel like we were pros! With everyone still in the bunch, it came down to a sprint finish. I finished 4^th.

Senan from Bohermeen Cc finished fifth, He congratulated me at the end of stage 3 right after the finish line which made me really happy as we were both representing Leinster.

At the end of the race, I hanged out with Jake, Mossy, Daria and the other Cycling Leinster and Orwell riders. Chilling out with them was a highlight as we just talked about everything and anything that came to mind. To finish the day, I came home with 4 trophies and a delicious Kinder Bueno ice-cream in my tummy which we bought with the prize money for winning the U12 boys team category with Leinster!

Thank you to Lorna, Cycling Leinster, Drogheda Wheelers, Orwell coaches for all the training and to Mossy, Jake, and Senan for making my first Rás na nÓg an awesome experience!