Michael Carroll wins Clann Eirrann Cup

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Ballymena Road Club  - Chain Reaction Cycles – veteran rider Michael Carroll, from Caherty Road in Broughshane, gave the local club their first senior, male, open race win of the season when he was first home in Sunday’s Clann Eireann cup road race at Derrymacash.
Michael, who was taking part in the eight lap, 56 miles race for third category seniors and veterans, was included in a six rider breakaway group as early as the second lap and, even though this group was caught, he persevered to attack again.This time he was joined by a Madigan rider, Curtis Fillmore.
 However when his breakaway companion dropped back on lap four Michael decided to keep going and managed to maintain a slender 30 seconds advantage for the second half of the race and take a hard earned victory.
Second place went to Paul McArthur (Omagh) (3) Mark Downey (Roche Development team) (4) Tom Simmons (Glendale) (5) Bobby Kane (Bann Wheelers) (6) Gavin McCowan (Dromara)
 
Afterwards, former Irish veterans’ champion, Michael said "It’s great to experience that winning feeling again especially since I am new to Ballymena Road Club this season: it’s nice to win for the club. I won this same race when I first started cycling about 22 years ago and, before the start today, I was speaking to John Bann Lavery who was showing me a result from the Saint Patrick’s day race at Downpatrick 20 years ago. I won that day too, so it was like some sort of omen. Now I’m really looking forward to Saturday’s Wallace Caldwell event, although that will be an entirely different affair. I hope to do well but it will be very tough. I should be ok it I can get over the big climbs but it certainly won’t be easy” added a delighted Michael.