Fran is a well-known motorsport photographer from Dundalk who loves the off-road in cycling and always welcomed to our cycling events. He has a different approach with wonderful results. Fran told me, “thanks again for the opportunity Dany, I’ve enjoyed going through my photo albums trying to select 15 pictures, I could have given you 50. I don’t consider myself a cycling photographer as motorsport is my thing, however, I need to keep my “eye in” in the offseason so the cyclocross racing suits me perfectly. I like that I can get close to the action and it’s good to be able to encourage and have the banter with the cyclists as they pass by, shouting at a racecar or a motorbike is a pointless exercise” Thank you, Fran, its an honour to have you in the series. Here his website with some magic shots of different sports to enjoy: http://autosportpics.com/ too
Ras na Nog Nr Duleek Co. Meath April 2016, My first ever road race. I took up position and after 4 shots I heard shouts and the sound of crashing behind me, I captured this shot of the accident. Thankfully, no one was badly injured and I haven’t witnessed an accident since.
Rd 1 Navan Road Club CX Oct 2016, Johnny and Gerry McCabe having the craic after racing at Blackwater Park event, sadly this was one of Gerry’s last races before he passed away.
Rd 8 Cuchulainn CC Race League 2016, A very hilly circuit around Forkhill & Mullabawn Co. Armagh. It was one of those glorious summer’s evenings where you can appreciate the fabulous scenery and racing that Ireland has to offer.
Rd 2 Navan Road Club CX Nov 2016, David Conroy celebrating with a whip coming off the banking, at Blackwater Park and on his way to the chequered flag.
Bray Wheelers CX at Kilruddery Castle Nov 2016, A very wet and mucky track with Paul Kane getting caught out in a very deep tractor rut. There’s a bike hiding in the mud splash.
Rd 3 Kinning Cycles CX League Hazelbank, Held on New Years Day at Hazelbank Park bordering Belfast Lough. This was a great location that Glenn Kinning and his team sourced and organised. I and Sean Rowe were standing out on the beach after the tide had gone out. I took this shortly after the race started before the cyclist came to the beach section.
Rd 3 Kinning Cycles CX League Hazelbank, It was getting late in the afternoon with the sun was starting to set, after a long day shooting I was trying to get a silhouette shot but got lucky with this starburst effect.
2017 National CX Championship Tollymore Park, Roger Aiken on his way to taking a National Championship win to cap off a dominant season. He made it look so easy.
Tour of Louth June 2017, Cycling has introduced me to some great locations and people. Luckily the Cooley Mountains are on my doorstep and this fella needs no introduction. It’s always a pleasure to see him on the road or in the mud where some light-hearted banter is exchanged.
Irish Cross Country NPS Bellurgan Estate June 2017, Brendan Conroy giving it socks over one of the downhill jumps in Bellurgan Park. This exuberant style obviously runs in the family.
Leinster CX Championship Drewstown House Co. Meath, If you go down to the woods today there’s a chance that you can get a silhouette shot of a weary cyclocross racer.
Da Cooley Thriller August 2019, After 4 hours on a mountain bike climbing and descending a tricky course over the Cooley mountains, John O’Neil still has the energy to pull an impressive wheelie at the second time of asking. I missed him on the first attempt, so John turned around went back uphill again.
Brian Kinning GP Sept 2019, The sign displays “For Sale 0788xxxxxx (Graham) £2400 ono” I suggested that Graham needed to clarify what was being sold.
Rd 4 Ulster CX series Henry Jones Park Belfast Oct 2019, A great backdrop with views of Belfast and Samson & Goliath, the iconic Harland & Wolff cranes, featuring a very focussed Niamh McKiverigan.
Rd 7 Ulster CX series Palace Demense Armagh Nov 2019, Sean McCourt trying to keep his foot dry in the deep water? No, the image is flipped upside down using the reflection of a small pond beside the course.
Notice Dany; if you share or use this photo’s on social media please mention the author as a courtesy, thank you
