Please be advised the next Committee meeting shall be held:

Monday 12^th December – 7.00pm Newry Gateway

Please let me know any items you would like added to the Agenda.(all club members)

Main items thus far are:

a) Race Calendar

b) 3 Day

c) Training Seminar

d) Youth Funding

e) Membership Renewals

Mc Kinley wins at Enniskillen

Mark McKinley proved his late season form by winning the Fermanagh cycling festivals race around the town on Friday last. In the prestigious event McKinley was in attacking form from early on in the race and about halfway stage himself and Colm Quinn broke away to open up a gap over the rest of the bunch. The “Crit” was tough and had a few kickers(uphill sections)in it to stretch the riders out.McKinley bided his time letting others take the primes before striking for home to take a well-deserved win in the town centre race.

It was also a great night for Cormac Clarke who won the bunch sprint for third place, beating well know sprinters Robin Kelly and Micheal Murray. Also in action where Barry Monaghon 9^th and Drew MCKinley 11^th.

In the Saturday road race over 74 miles McKinley once again was well placed taking 7^th. It has been a good month for the warrenpoint lad as he also won a round in the Dave Kane time trial league.

Wheelers Close the Chapter on the 2011 Season

The prestigious 2011 National Youth Championships were held last weekend in Co. Roscommon. The event catered for all youths from around Ireland ranging from U11 to U16. With three decisive stages, the time trial, road race and criterium, the race was always going to be a spectacle to watch.

The weekend started with an 8km time trial early on Saturday morning. In the U12 event, Newry’s Dean Chambers put in a tremendous effort placing 5^th. A great start to what would be a challenging weekend of racing.  U14 pair, James Mulligan and Cathal Clarke once again put in great performances with Cathal placing 5^th and James 8^th in what was an extremely wet and windy time trial. In U15, Aaron Donnelly achieved a solid top ten finish. With such a great start from the Wheelers, a weekend of fast and furious racing was definitely on the cards.  

Saturday afternoon and the under 12s were faced with a 12.8km stage. Dean Chambers battled hard throughout the day and his efforts were rewarded with a great 3^rd place, earning himself and the Wheelers the first medal of the weekend. Conor McLoughlin rode well throughout the U13 race finishing well in the main bunch. The young Newry hopeful was now looking forward to an intense crit on Sunday morning. With a heavy downpour of rain and a strong wind, the U14s were faced with a demanding 30km of racing. Sheepbridge duo Clarke and Mulligan were inevitably at the fore of the race, keeping the pace high and going with all the right moves. Despite their efforts of getting in a break away, the race ended in a bunch sprint that saw Declan Mulholland (Clann Eireann) take first place. Clarke and Mulligan were not far behind placing 7^th and 8^th. The U16 race was extremely fast paced with a lot of attacks from some of the big favourites. Declan Reid of Newry rode magnificently throughout the day keeping with the main bunch. In the end it was another sprint finish, Reid placing a fantastic 6^th spot. In U15, Donnelly rode extremely well to again get a top ten finish, showing his progression over the season. With only the criterium left, the 2011 season was nearly at a close.

The crit was held in the centre of Roscommon town early on Sunday morning. In U11, Alannah O’Grady of Newry rode very well finishing in 6^th spot, showing her ability to compete on an equal plane with the top contenders. In U12, Dean Chambers once again proved his dominance with a superb third place, ending a fantastic season with another great result. Conor McLoughlin rode an incredibly fast paced U13 race, finishing a magnificent 7^th place. The future is looking promising for the youngster who has another year at U14 level. In the under 14 race, Mulligan and Clarke highlighted their fantastic form, staying at the front of the high speed race. Clarke managed to get in the winning break, with James not far behind in the chasing group. Mulligan then made a promising attack, to get up to the leaders, leaving behind his fellow chasers. In the end it was an Ulster one, two, three and four with Aaron Swan (TSC) taking the win, Declan Mulholland in 2^nd, Clarke in 3^rd and Mulligan 4^th. In Under 15, Aaron Donnelly proved his consistency getting 9^th spot with Mark Downey of Banbridge taking the win. Declan Reid in U16 once again rode brilliantly finishing well up in the bunch.

Newry’s youths have had a tremendous season this year with many victories, proving one of their best seasons to date. Declan Reid and Conor Mulligan now move up to junior and Cathal and James move into the prominent U16 category.  2012 will have as much success if not more, with the top class outfit that Newry has. Credit must go to Brian Henning and Patrick Clarke for their coaching of the youths, with well drilled training and continuous motivation.

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