There must be something in the water in the Murnane household, with both races this week won by the emerging riders. Seán Murnane won a aggressive race on Wednesday, while Conor Murnane came out on top from a more negative competition on Thursday. All the action below, including videos of both finishes!

The TTT round of the league went down to the wire this year, with only six seconds separating the top two teams after the handicaps were applied, while the hill climb championships were even tighter, Fionn Sheridan winning by less than a second from Brian McArdle.

The Orwell A4s are taking the road race scene by storm at the moment. On Saturday Freddie Stevens took the win in Carlow, with Mark Holland in 2nd. Last weekend Stephen Barry was victorious in Wexford, while before that Emyvale saw Daragh Boyd take 2nd, Shane Toman 5th, and Ken O’Neill 7th. On top of that, Ann Horan finally got her elusive win!

There was plenty of Orwell action across the plains of Meath and the hills of Carlow at the weekend, with Valdis Andersons winning a bunch sprint for 2nd, Tom Blennerhassett in the mix again, and a great showing for the women with Aideen Keenan, Monica Marconi and Claire McEntee all taking home prizes. Read on!

Further along the age categories the seniors have been holding their own, with several big results in the last ten days. The A4s have enjoyed a great week's racing. Earlier last week, in the Boyne GP and St Patrick's Day race, Garry Blair and Brendan Lawless scored two smashing A4 victories, and Paul Kane took 4th in the latter. Lawless then earned his A3 upgrade with 3rd at the Des Hanlon, while Neal Hudson took an unplaced A2 prize. There were also two Orwells in the top ten for the women - Michelle Geoghegan and Brianne Mulvihill.

At Pine Forest last night, all eyes were on Dick O’Brien and Tom Blennerhassett after their recent Rás Mhaigh Eo showings, and they duly did their duty and delivered despite a dismal Dublin deluge dampening their deeds.

With the off-season lull continuing, here's something to brighten your day - a quick interview with one of Orwell's racing legends, Paul Tansey!

Two full handicap road races over two weeks saw two winners take to the line with clear gaps over the bunch. The difference in the size of the gaps was substantial, as Scott Gilchrist's race-long solo break last night ended two minutes ahead of the chasers, while Brian McArdle's late attack last week gave him just enough for a comfortable victory.

Congratulations to Sean McKenna of Aquablue CC for the overall win at a very wet Hammond Memorial TT this morning. Our own Eoin Byrne was top Junior and walked away with the Kieran Hammond Memorial trophy.

Winners' list below - now updated with full results.

The opening road race of the club league saw the two front groups show their strength to stay away and swamp the placings in the hunt for the win. Robbie Dolan and Mark Holland were the ultimate victors, but all who shared the load should be proud of their efforts.

Ten Orwell riders took to the start line in this year's l'Étape du Tour. Paul O'Neill tells their story.

Reports from the sun-scorched Mount Leinster Challenge and Lap the Gaps below, as well as a slightly more Irish affair at the Etape Mourne! Thanks to Eamonn Eaton, Eileen Byrne, Sinead Kennedy and Dave Carroll for the always welcome contributions!

Updated: now with a Mount Leinster report from Billy Parker

The first 10TT of the club league saw a new course record from overall winner Brian McArdle, and some other great performances and new PBs across the field.

The first races of the league saw two strong performances in each, with Seán Murnane and Brian McArdle each on the attack in their respective races. Murnane capped it off with a strong sprint, while McArdle did it the hard way with a solo effort from the halfway mark.

Last week's club action saw two bunch sprints taken with small gaps by classy winners Bryan Geary and Owen O'Flaherty. Read all about it!

Four determined and possibly crazy Orwell Wheelers travelled to Belgium a couple of weeks ago to follow in Dan Martin's footsteps, and complete the epic Liege-Bastogne-Liege route. Paul O'Neill takes us through a gruelling day!

The opening round of the 2014 Orwell League saw some super fast times set for the Pine Forest course, with Eric Downey resuming where he left off for the 2013 league - at the top.

It wasn’t a night for fast times, but Brian McArdle braved the cold and the damp to finish fastest in the league’s round five 10TT at Batterstown. Read on for all the results!

40 riders signed on in Roundwood on Saturday morning to give their all in the Noel and Kieran Hammond Memorial time trial. With plenty of prizes on offer, competition was tight, but defending champion Ian Richardson took the overall from Sean McKenna with 22" to spare. Conor Murnane walked away with the Kieran Hammond trophy, awarded this year to the top Junior.

The five riders and support personnel to represent Scott Orwell at An Post Rás, Ireland’s top international stage race for men, have been announced.