While the Seniors are having a very strong season our underage riders are keeping pace and very often setting the bar high early in the day.

On Saturday Seán Murnane (U16) and Conor Murnane (Junior) had a tremendous day on the track at the Duane Delaney Memorial. Categories A, B, C raced separately in 4 events each. Points awarded per race led to 1 winner in each category + 1 overall winner. Sean won the C category and Conor came 2nd in B category. Best of all, Sean won the overall trophy with most points - have a read of his report here.

World champ Orla Hendron was on hand to help Seán with a wheel change.

In addition to his success on the track, following a very strong Junior/A3 season Conor has been selected to ride for the Leinster squad in the upcoming Junior Tour - congratulations Conor!

Keeping on the track U14 Uisneach Sheridan continues to lead the D category after 7 weeks ahead of Luke Duff of Sundrive. With one more round to go, can Sheridan hold his nerve and take the crown?

Back on the road, on Sunday ahead of the Paddy Flanagan in Newbridge there was a full card of U12/14/16 races for the Paddy McCormack cup. First out of the traps was the U12s over a 6km course. After some early skirmishing Andrew Ryan took off up the road, Cael Chanders who finished 2nd in last years Roche GP bridged across and for 4km the two of them stayed away. At the 1km call they were caught but not passed by the peloton.

At the 500m mark, Chanders started to press while Ryan lying third held his fire, four riders moved clear and in the closing 100m Ryan went for it, head down, legs pumping he pulled away and crossed the line a bike length clear of Chanders with Leinster teammate Chloe Wall of Navan CC right there. His smile at his maiden win lit up the Kildare countryside.

As the 12s were coming home, the U14s were out on the longer 14km course. Uisneach Sheridan flew the Orwell colours in this one and while a breakaway group of very strong U14s contested the placings, Sheridan came in 2nd in the sprint of 7 riders in his bunch, his training on the track clearly paying off in the closing stages.

A reminder that there are youth races in both the upcoming Noel and Kieran Hammond TT and Stephen Roche GP for those who have their numbers as well a fun race open to all to start the evening off. Further details on the website.

Paddy McCormack Memorial, Newbridge (14/6/2015)

U12 Race
1 Andrew Ryan (Orwell Wheelers)
2 Cael Chanders (Newbridge CC)
3 Chloe Wall (Navan CC)