The Youth and Junior members of the club have been extremely active and successful over the last few weeks, not least on the track! Below we cover the prolific road exploits of Ciaran Keogh, Andrew Ryan, Naoise and Uisneach Sheridan, and Conor and Sean Murnane.

We being by going all the way back to the beginning of July, when Ciaran Keogh who took a superb 2nd in R11 of the Epic MTB league in the lead mines, Kiltiernan. Keogh has already clocked up some successes on the trails this year, scoring two 4ths back in March.

A full day of racing including youths was held at Mondello on 11th July, with Seán Murnane sprinting to an excellent victory in the U16 race. Uisneach Sheridan finished in chase group in U14, while Lorcan Cattle stepped up to a tough U12 race and completed a long circuit successfully.

We had two members taking part in the Scott Junior Tour - Conor Murnane (representing Leinster team) completed the tour in 61st place in GC. It was a great experience for him of six day stage racing, with top-class competitors including several International teams. Luke Keating was unfortunate to crash on Stage 2 and had to withdraw.

That was followed up by Andrew Ryan adding to the string of results he's gotten so far this season with 6th at the Tommy Brady Memorial in Robinstown!

At the Brendan Campbell Memorial in Donore a week later, newly crowned club champ Conor Murnane took 2nd unplaced Junior in the men's event. Seán Murnane likewise took 2nd in the U16 race, with Uisneach Sheridan battling well among the U14s. At the Leinster Youth Championships In Kilmessan in August, the Orwells were again in rude form, with 3rd for Ryan in U12, 3rd for Seán Murnane in U16, and a PB for Uisneach Sheridan on the circuit.



Double bronze for Orwell at Kilmessan (photos thanks to Stephen Ryan)

Dan Coulcher has some photos from the August edition underage league in Corkagh Park at https://flic.kr/s/aHskif5w2k. He described it as "Great fun for the kids. There's still a couple of events to go & I recommend it to anyone with kids who can pedal (even with stabilisers)." 

With the season beginning to wind down, the National Junior Champs took place out west. Conor Murnane was unlucky to suffer a bad crash in the male road race, but managed to remount and finish the course, after finishing just outside the top ten with 11th in the TT, Naoise Sheridan fared better, with a brilliant bronze in the TT event, and a solid 6th on the road. She paid credit to the organisers and CI - "Great weekend at the national road championships, delighted to be part of making history by riding in the first EVER Irish junior women's separate road champs!"


Sheridan and the TT podium

Finally we had the National Youth Championships last weekend, and Seán Murnane was there to test his mettle against the best...

  "My National Championships took place last weekend. I was looking forward to the event throughout the season. 

  "The first event was an 8km TT. Time Trialling was not my strong point so I didn't push it too hard. I felt good and was happy with 13th place. 

  "I had great help from Conor in aiding my recovery for the road race later in the day. As an U16 my race was last to start at after 6 o'clock. The long wait meant many people were asking about my Scott Foil and the new sponsorship with Scott. After riding the steep hill before the race I felt I had a good chance of a top ten.

  "The pace was high from the start but my legs felt good. I found myself on a solo breakaway, but knowing I could never hold off the bunch I eased back and was recovered before the catch was made. My positioning was poor coming into the climb so I made my way up the group and eventually finished fourteenth. I was slightly disappointed but given I only started racing seriously this year I am proud of the result.

  "The Criterium around Westport was the last race. Positioning on the startline would be crucial, considering the race starts on the beginning of the countdown.  i.e. "5,4" and the race has already begun. I got dropped on the sharpest corner. It was a very hard race considering only 10 actually finished! It was great to meet clubmate Ronan O'Connor, who was competing in the Under 12 category.

  "I was pleased with how I did in my first ever National Champs and I am already looking forward to next season’s racing in Orwell Scott’s Junior Academy."


Seán in action during the road race

That's all for now from the youth, though we will be updating the youth page shortly with dates for autumn and winter sessions!

 

Tommy Brady Memorial, Robinstown (18/7/15)

U12 Race
1 Mark McGarry (Dungarvan)
2 Chlow Wall (Navan RC)
3 Andrew Kelly (Moynalty)
4 Patrick O'Loughlin (Carrick)
5 Adam Gilsenan (Bohermeen)
6 Andrew Ryan (Orwell Wheelers)

 

Brendan Campbell Memorial, Donore (26/7/2015)

Unplaced Juniors
1 Conn Mc Dunphy (Lucan CRC)
2 Conor Murnane (Orwell Wheelers)
3 Reece Young (Slaney CC)

U16 Race
1 Jack Caldwell (Navan RC)
2 Sean Murnane (Orwell Wheelers)
3 Aaron Cullen (Donadea)

 

Collins-Christle Memorial Races, Kilmessan, Co Meath (9/8/2015)

Leinster Youth Championships

U16 Race
1 Luke Smith (Moynalty CC)
2 Liam Curley (South East RC)
3 Sean Murnane (Orwell Wheelers)

U12 Race
1 Andrew Kelly (Moynalty CC)
2 Conor Short (S.E.R.C)
3 Andrew Ryan (Orwell Wheelers)

 

National Junior Women's Championships, Cong, Mayo (15-16/8/2015)

Time Trial
1 Ciara Doogan (Errigal CC) 36:56:40
2 Emily Birchall (NRPT) 40:48:53
3 Naoise Sheridan (Orwell Wheelers) 41:15:36
4 Eimear Harrison (Covey Wheelers) 42:10:58
5 Aisling Desmond (Galtee Wheelers) 44:57:56
6 Jennifer Neenan (NRPT) 45:17:70

Road Race
1 Ciara Doogan (Errigal CC)
2 Emily Birchall (NRPT/Magnet.ie)
3 Emer Harrisson (Westport Covey Wheelers CC)
4 Laura Cooke (Limerick CC)
5 Autumn Collins (Cadence Performance)
6 Naoise Sheridan (Orwell Wheelers)