Christie Takes Victory in Donegal


Tyrone teenager Marcus Christie showed that he may well be a cycling star of the future when he won the 3 day Rás Dhun na nGall today. The Usher rider had a slim 27 second advantage over Limerick’s Tom Shanahan but with no team to support him and eight Limerick riders in the field it looked as if Christie would falter at the final hurdle - the hardest stage of the race taking in the notorious Glengesh Pass.

But the young seventeen year old kept his nerve and countered every attacking move plus the local Donegal Harvest-North Pole club kept the pace high in the hope of securing a local stage win which was to Christie’s advantage.

The stage victor was Lurgan’s Michael Murray (Clann Eireann) who secured enough points to progress to 1st category status.

Christie however, finished safely in the first group to retain his overall lead.

The David McCall Foundation- Cycling Ulster women’s squad were a revelation during the race which is renowned as the toughest 3 day event in the country. Heather Wilson from Hillsborough was the fastest woman finishing in 48th place out of 140 competitors. Her nearest rival was Letterkenny Olympian Sinead Jennings who finished over 4 minutes behind Wilson. With over 30 men abandoning the race over the three days it was remarkable to see the full Ulster women’s team completing the event.

The battle for the U23 jersey was hard fought with Dane Dunlop and Mickey Murray just losing out by the narrowest margin to Tighernach Murphy of Bray Wheelers. Limerick CC took the overall Team prize with Curran Racing and Lakelannd CC in second and third place. King of the mountains went to Tom Shanahan of Limerick CC.

A full report of this race will be posted tomorrow with picture galleries for Stages 2, 3 and four.

Many thanks to the Four Masters who once again proved that they know how to organise a superb three day event.

Report Tommy Lamb
Pics Marian Lamb

Final GC below

Stage 3

Marcus Christie of Usher IRC takes stage 3 and yellow jersey. Full report to follow.
Stage 3 GC can be downloaded at bottom of page

Dunlop Seizes Yellow in Rás Dhun na nGall


Enniskillen’s Dane Dunlop (Lakeland CC) seized the “Yellow Jersey” from overnight leader Paul Mulligan in Rás Dhun na nGall after this mornings short 3.3 mile time trial from Bruckless to Killybegs. Dunlop stormed along the course setting a new record time of 6-53. Dunlop was a single second faster than last night’s hero Tighernach Murphy from Bray Wheelers. Marcus Christie from County Tyrone, the previous holder of the record finished third in a time of 7-02.

Michael Murray (Clann Eireann)was fourth with 7.04 and Andrew Meenan (Swords) at 7.05 Raymond Dunlop(Lakeland CC) and John Heverin (Clann Eirenn) both recorded 7.06 but Dunlop was credited with 6th place with the fastest hundredths of a second split time.

The David McCall Cycling Foundation – Cycling Ulster womens team continued to perform well with current Nation TT record holder Heather Wilson managing to fend off the challenge of Sinead Jennings (Four Masters) by 2 seconds. Wilson however has a comfortable lead after a stunning performance on Friday evening’s road stage and will be hard to dislodge from her number one spot.


Rás Dhun na nGall - Stage 1


The first stage of Rás Dhun na nGall may have been the shortest at just 34 miles but the road from Killybegs through Carrick, Glencolumcille and Meenaneary took it’s toll on the 140 starters with dozens of groups spread all over the course before the finish. The warm evening may have been very pleasant for the spectators who lined the route but it made the tough Donegal roads even harder for the contestants.

Tighernerach Murphy from Bray Wheelers set the race alight in the opening miles and stayed clear on his own for over 20 miles. A determined chase developed behind with a group of riders including Marcus Christie (Usher IRC) and Martin O’Loughlin (Donegal Harvest- North Pole). This group never let up and Murphy was caught with just over 10 miles remaining.
In the end it came down to a small bunch sprint along the pier in Killybegs with Tyrone rider Paul Mulligan edging out Andrew Meenan of Swords CC and Brian Quinn of Limerick CC. Lurgan’s Michael Murray (Clann Eireann) was fourth followed closely by Dane Dunlop (Lakeland CC) and Marcus Christie (Usher IRC).

The race attracted a good entry of women who all finished the arduous stage. Heather Wilson of the David McCall – Cycling Ulster team was the best of the girls finishing over 4 minutes ahead of Letterkenny’s Siobhan Jennings who was guesting for the promoting Four Masters club.

The race continues tomorrow morning with a short Time Trial from Bruckless to Killybegs followed by a 54 mile road stage taking in Ardara and Glenties.

RESULTS: Rás Dhun na nGall – Stage 1 – Killybegs-Carrick-Glencolumcille-Meenary – Killybegs

1. Paul Mulligan (U/A) 34 miles 1-29-39
2. Andrew Meenan (Swords CC)
3. Brian Quinn (Limerick CC)
4. Michael Murray (Clann Eireann)
5. Dane Dunlop (Lakeland CC)
6. Marcus Christie (Usher IRC)
7. Mark Dowling (Western Lakes)
8. Tighernach Murphy (Bray Wheelers)
9. Donal Kelly (U/A)
10. Martin O’Loughlin (Donegal Harvest – North Pole)

REPORT: Tommy Lamb
Pics Marian Lamb

Gallery to follow tomorrow

Stage 1 GC can be downloaded below