GREAT RESULTS FROM THE ALL IRELAND YOUTH CHAMPIONHIPS – COALISLAND, CO TYRONE 28TH AND 29TH AUGUST 2010

REECE YOUNG – Under 12
Reece brought home the first ever All-Ireland medal for the club in taking second place in the under 12 time trial, which as won by Adam Thatcher, Slaney C.C. Reece when in fourth place in the criterium had a very nasty fall. He was chasing the leading trio with every chance of catching them when he unfortunately crashed, thus ruining his chances in the overall standings. The criterium was held on a very tight circuit of little over a kilometre with a lot of very tricky corners. Reece showed great courage and remounted his bike and finished the criterium despite having very nasty “road rash”. In the road race he took an excellent fourth place with only inches separating him and the bronze medal winner in a tight bunch finish. Reece comes home with a silver medal and a trophy

NIALL HEFFERNAN – Under 14
Niall had a very good All Ireland’s considering that he missed most of the road-racing season and concentrated on the track where he amassed a lot of wins and a provincial champion’s jersey. He was out of the country for more than two weeks at the height of the season but still must be satisfied with his results, which placed him around the halfway mark in all his competitions.

STEPHEN BRACKEN – Under 15
Stephen had an excellent time trial and finished in fifth place. He led the Criterium with another rider for almost its entirety until they were caught yet on the last lap Stephen managed to hold out for a fine eight place. He deserves the award for the most aggressive rider. In the road race he took 11th place. The bunch sprint was marred by an accident about a quarter of a mile from the finish which took down a lot of riders and seemed to have taken the impetus out of those who weren’t involved in the crash. Stephen comes away with a trophy for the time trial, as there was a trophy for the first six in each stage

CIAN KEOGH – Under 12
Cian is member of Bray Wheelers who lives near Redcross but is such personable young man that he is part of and fits in very well with the SERC family. Cian took was in sixth place in both the criterium and road ace and receives two trophies to reflect those great results.

Thanks to all who supported the under age members, those who sent good luck and congratulatory texts and kept in touch throughout the weekend. All of our riders go terrific support from their families over the weekend, especially as it was a long journey to the North, but it was also a very rewarding journey. It was a very well organised championship, which attracted almost 150 riders from all over Ireland. It’s very re-assuring to know that SERC can compete with the best. These were they crème de la crème of this cycling generation. Well done to all.

Roll on next year

Mick