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Local lad Cathal Clarke's racing season has gotten of to a great start scooping 2nd place in the annual Clann Eireann St.Patrick's day race in Derrymacash. Cathal is now part of the U18 FBD Irish Talent Team and studies at St Colman's.
Seventy riders took part in the 48 Mile race and on the 3rd lap Cathal, Jude Sands and 5 other riders rode across to 3 riders who broke clear on the 1st lap. This strong group settled at a 40 second gap but disaster struck when Jude was taken down with 4 others in the break on the 4th lap leaving Cathal in a 5 man break. However this group which contained 3 juniors just kept working and still had a slim 15 second advantage at the finish. Cathal was edged out by local lad Declan Mulholland in the final sprint to the checkered flag.
Great result for the 1st year junior. Newry Wheelers Gary Henning, Conor Curran and James Mulligan rode well throughout with young Mulligan putting in a gallant effort before being forced to pull out due to illness.
Great performance by Cathal at Boyne GP A3 Race.
Cathal Clarke takes 10 spot and 2nd Junior in the 75km Boyne race. With a strong field of 80 riders and a rolling course it was difficult for a break to establish early. However around 50k a group of 8 riders escaped with classy vet Sean Bracken the main man. Cathal and National Junior road race champion Finn Ryan got a good gap opened and stayed away for several miles but on the main Navan to Slane road the big bunch had too much power and reeled them back in.
However the 2 young guns were not giving up without a fight and although the 8 man break stayed away, the duo of Clarke and Ryan led home the bunch in a hectic bunch sprint.
