PJ Logan Report & Results

Juniors Dominate Island Wheelers P.J Logan Road Race

Sunday 29^th March saw Island Wheelers host their annual road race the “PJ Logan” on the figure of eight circuit at Ballynakilly, Coalisland. With high winds and heavy rain forecast, the competitors knew what they were getting themselves in for, however this did not stop them turning out in record numbers to contest for the honours.

With a full programme of racing scheduled the racing got underway at 10:00 with the first youth race of the day, the U12 which was won by Odhran Doogan of Errgal CC from Darren Rafferty and Scott Roberts, both of host club Island Wheelers. Shea O’Kane of Pheonix was the first unplaced U11 with Sarah Elder of Carn Wheelers taking the girls victory.

In the U14 Race Aaron Heaney took the victory after a valiant effort from Ciaroon Cahoon of Clann Eireann CC who was narrowly beaten into 2^nd place. Arthur Teggart of Ballmoney CC took third and Ciaron Dickson of Phoenix took the unplaced U13 prize. The girls event was taken by Katie Armstrong of NDCC.

The U16 Category started with a bang with Harvey Barnes attacking from the gun. This set the tone for an incredibly aggressive U16 race, which saw Barnes take the victory from Omagh Wheeler’s Adam Ward. Liam Wilson of Derrymore CC took a fantastic 3^rd place in what was a fantastic race. Michael McGlyn of Errigal took the unplaced U15 prize.

Island Wheelers opted not to host a Masters event and instead held a designated Ladies Race; this event was run over three laps and the victory was taken by Roisin Kennedy of Adamstown CT. Trudy Brown of VC Glendale took 2^nd from Jane Millar of Bann Wheelers.

The B Race, for A4’s only was dominated by Kenny Bagnell of Newry Wheelers who attacked half way into the first lap and continued to battle solo into the wind for the next 30+ miles. At the line Kenny to the victory with a margin of almost a minute leaving the rest of the A4’s to contest for 2^nd place. Sean Mullon of Clogher Valley took the sprint for 2^nd from Neill Ryan of De Ronde Van Cork CC who made the long journey well worthwhile with this result.

The A-Race, the PJ Logan Memorial was a Handicapped Race with the A3’s being given a handicap of 3minutes from a group of 20 or so A1’s and 2’s. With the A3 ranks being recently dominated by juniors many expected attacks from the off, however a few laps of horrible weather and with a 101km race distance, the first few laps seen little action. The first attack came from Darnell Moore of Caldwell Cycles and this solo move seen him staying off the front for a few laps before being joined by Jake Gray of NRPT and Glenn Kinning of Kinning Cycles. The trio worked well together and maintained a solid gap around a minute with 50K to go. Kinning eventually dropped out of the breakaway while Gray and Moore continued to lead thing at the head of the race. Meanwhile, the main bunch, having endured some atrocious weather and aggressive riding was now whittled down to less than half its original size, with Ronan McLaughlin and Adam Steenson to name a few putting the pressure on. With 2 Laps to go Junior Declan Mulhooland of Derrymore CC attacked the bunch and set out in pursuit of Moore and Gray who were still a minute up the road. With stiff winds and a tough course he had a tough task on his hands, however after making the catch, he and Gray continued in to the final laps dropping the early aggressor Moore in the process. The main bunch had not given up though and with a very talented field it looked as if the leading duo may be caught within sight of the line however the two Juniors had enough in the tank to hold off the chase. Declan Mulholland took a fantastic uphill sprint from Jake Gray with Adam Steenson of NRPT ensuring an all junior podium by taking third from Mark Downey of Banbridge CC and defending champion Ronan McLaughlin of Foyle.

Island Wheelers would like to thank all of the Marshalls, Comms, Judges, Competitors and Spectators who helped make this event a success. We must also give a special mention to the ladies who put on an amazing spread for everyone, we are sure no one went home hungry!!

Thank you once again also to our event sponsors, McAleer & Rushe and Newell Stores, without their help these events cannot take place.

See you all next year!!

Junior Races:

U12
1^st                    Odhran Doogan – Errigal
2^nd                   Darren Rafferty – Island Wheelers
3^rd                   Scott Roberts – Island Wheelers
1^st U11           Shea O’Kane – Phoenix
1^st Girl             Sarah Elder – Carn Wheelers

U14
1^st                    Aaron Heaney – Derrymore CC
2^nd                   Ciaroon Cahoon – Clann Eireann
3^rd                   Arthur Teggart – Ballymoney CC
1^st U13           Ciaron Dickson – Phoenix
1^st Girl             Katie Armstrong – NDCC

U16
1^st                    Harvey Barnes – ETCC
2^nd                   Adam Ward – Omagh Wheelers
3^rd                   Liam Wilson – Derrymore CC

Ladies Race:
1^st                    Roisin Kennedy – Adamstown CT
2^nd                   Trudy Brown – VC Glendale
3^rd                   Jane Millar – Bann Wheelers

B Race:
1^st                    Kenny Bagnell – Newry Wheelers
2^nd                   Sean Mullan – Clogher Valley
3^rd                   Neill Ryan – De Ronde Van Cork CC
4^th                   Nigel Gibson – Carn Wheelers
5^th                   Dean Burnside – Island Wheelers
6^th                   Owen Henry – Newry Wheelers
7^th                   Keiran Talbot – Island Wheelers
8^th                   Eamon Brady- Harps CC
9^th                   Gavin Oaks – Phoenix
10^th                 Ciaron Campbell – Square Wheelers

A Race – PJ Logan Memorial
1^st                    Declan Mulholland (jnr) – Derrymore CC
2^nd                   Jake Gray (jnr) – NRPT
3^rd                   Adam Steenson (jnr) – NRPT
4^th                   Mark Downey – Bannbridge
5^th                   Ronan McLaughlin – Foyle CC
6^th                   Mike Millar – Phoenix
7^th                   Johnny Taylor – Carn Wheelers
8^th                   Connor McCann (jnr) – NRPT
9^th                   Darnell Moore – Caldwell Cycles
10^th                 Marc Heaney (jnr) – Carn Wheelers