Baxter Rás Mhaigh Eo Youth Report

Baxter Healthcare was the main sponsor of Rás Maigh Eo Youth which took place on Sunday March 16th.
We would like to thank the large number of clubs from all over Ireland that attended and also Baxter Healthcare.
 
The two Stage event kicked off with a Time Trial in the morning with some windy conditions on the 5k route making life difficult for the young riders with many competing for the very first time.
All achieved excellent times given that the wind was hampering their efforts. Ciara Doogan from Errigal CC gave an impressive performance having never been on the course previously with our own Aaron Doherty having the fastest time of all the categories.
 
The second stage was a generally flat course with a few drags. The U12’s completing 8.5 km, U14’s 25.5km and the U16’s 45km.
The U16’s kicked off first starting at the Country Lodge Hotel. Not long into the race a group of seven (Ciara Doogan, Mathew O’Neill, Ciaran McFadden, Luke Smith, Ben Walsh, David Boyne and Dean Bradley-Young) broke away from the main group keeping a fast steady pace over the 5 laps. Throughout, each of the seven made individual attacks but were closed monitored by the remaining group. Unfortunately due to feeling unwell, Dean Bradley-Young had to drop out leaving six and then Mathew O’Neill came down on one of the corners and with his chain off looked like he was out of contention also, but the hardy young rider got back on his bike and chased down the leading pack, catching them and with a fast and furious sprint finish to the line Mathew took first place by half a wheel. Unbelievable performance from this young rider. Ciara Doogan was up there in this group also, showing how strong a contender she is at National Level, finishing in 3rd position and 1st girl over the line.
 
Next off were the U12’s starting out in Aughagower Village and a group of six (Aaron O’Neill, Odhrán Doogan, Donal Walsh, Conor Dunne, Mathew Devins and Maeve Gallagher) broke away keeping together to the line. Another spring finish from these six with Aaron O’Neill proving to be the stronger rider and having enough left in the tank to get him across the line first. Maeve Gallagher from Castlebar CC was up there with the rest and will be one to watch going forward finishing in 1st position in the girls category.
 
The U14’s were last off, also starting out in Aughagower Village. On the very first lap a few at the front put the pressure on going up the first hill dropping more than half the group leaving six riders (Conor Halvey, PJ Doogan, Declan Maloney, Aaron Doherty, Caoimhe Newell and Mark Doran). Shortly afterwards, the pace became too much for Caoimhe and Mark and they dropped off the back of the group. The remaining four continued hard and fast with numerous attempts at breakaways but reeled back in by the remaining three. Again another sprint finish to the line to determine who would take first place. With only yards to go, Conor Halvey and PJ Doogan pushed forward taking 1st and 2nd respectively with our own Delcan Maloney and Aaron Doherty finishing 3rd and 4th positions.
 
We would like to thank all our marshals including those that helped from visiting clubs, our lead cars, all those that provided refreshments, the Order of Malta, Westport Leisure Park for the use of their facilities, the Castlecourt Hotel, our main sponsor Baxter Healthcare, and all our young riders, especially those that were competing for the very first time, we hope you enjoyed the day and that we will see you again next year.
 
 
Results as follows: