Hot as Robert Curry from Foyle CC deserves the title "Up the road of the month" at the Dunloy GP Antrim (Sun 8th September)

**The family of Noel McIlfatrick (RIP) handing over the Cup to the more than deserved winner Robert Curry, this after an emotional word of the daddy of Noel at the Dunloy Cuchullians GAC social club.**

An unusual big field (80) for this time of the year in the A2-3 race of the day, and about 25 in the supporting A4 race, this situated in the sleepy village of Dunloy near Ballymoney Antrim. Promoted by Dunloy CC, with “Man of the Ras” Niall O’Hagan as race secretary, and Commissaire Martin Montague as race organiser, aided by their volunteers, add a very hard course which included the 1500 meter climb called The Brea and you knew there will be perfect racing worthy called a GP.

**Man of the Ras Niall O’ Hagan at the helm during the race**

**Martin Montague in a different role we normally see him in, well-done mate and thanks for the welcome we received**

Robert Curry from Foyle CC took the Noel McIlfatrick Cup in some style today in a storming solo breakaway which just survived on the finish straight. Robert came out on tops in an 80 rider race on our famous Millbrae circuit.
The A4 Race was won by Dave Kane Cycles rider Colm McClean in a thrilling 2 man sprint finish after some sparkling racing. Fiona Kelly from Wicklow Velo took the Ladies prize with a performance full of courage and determination!
We pay particular tribute to the McIlfatrick family who took a prominent role on the day, Noel our friend and founder member was taken from us far too young this year and his father Frank donated the splendid trophy that Robert took home today.
We are also grateful to our marshals, drivers and helpers, the Commissaires Mario and Jim, the PSNI neighbourhood team and to Dunloy Cuchullians GAC for the kind use of their premises.
We hope that today’s excitement, drama and colour was a fitting tribute, thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all who entered and competed!
Until next year……(report Dunloy CC)

Mario Florencio and Jim (Pit) Adams as commissaires of the day

**The chasers in the A2-A3 race never got the better of winner Robert Curry, they got close in the end but no cigar!!**

**A2-A3 Noel McIlfatrick Cup**
1 Robert Curry Foyle CC
2 Peter Wakeley U/A
3 Thomas McCabe U/A
4 Fergus Callaghan Four Masters CC
5 Des Woods Newry Wheelers
6 Peter McLean Ards CC
7 Jason Henry Inspired CC
8 Larry McCabe Newry Wheelers
9 Luke Noyce Kinning Cycles
10 Nigel Bradley Roe Valley CC

We also had the A4 supporting race, with about 25 to the start, what justified to run the race, but a down-level trend we have seen at other events, and maybe need to be looked at by the federations. The ones who entered done themselves proud as many attacks, each time rehauled and a dash to the line…we needed to wait for the results of the photo finish to declare the winner Colm McClean Northern CC (Dave Kane Cycles) beating Ladislav Cimbala from Dublin Wheelers to second with a few inches to spare, see photo of Ian Barfoot (Photo finish) below

**A4 Supporting race** top 10
1 Colm McClean Northern CC Dave Kane
2 Ladislav Cimbala Dublin Wheelers CC
3 Ollie Collins Termoneeny CC
4 Jimmy Flynn Cuchulainn CC
5 Shaun O’Shaughnessy Cuchulainn CC
6 Gavin Greene Cuchulainn CC
7 Garth McBride North Down CC
8 Richard Gamble Velo Club Iveagh
9 Martin Early Island Wheelers
10 Martin Lynch Newry Wheelers
**Best lady: Fiona Kelly (Wicklow)**

**Fiona Kelly crossing the line while a Newry man seems to have some constipation…lol**

**The brother of Noel McIlfatrick explaining the love his bro Noel had for his beloved club Dunloy, which he was a founder member and took away so young**

Here below some photos and more can be found on https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156686751673691 Thank you Dunloy CC for having us…we enjoyed a good day of racing and will be back in 2020 all well