The 2015 Joe Daly Cycles National League opened in Blarney last Sunday, and Orwell took home a tremendous result - racing sophomore Ann Horan taking the bunch gallop for 2nd behind National Champion Fiona Meade. She takes us through the race below!

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.

In a sign that CX is really taking off within the club, we have not one, not two, but three individual reports from the three races that took place last Sunday on Glencullen's greens. Breda Horan, Michael Hanley and Eric Downey all take us through their days: two of them scored 9th, and one a DNF - find out which below!

The results are in from the annual hamper race, with Conor Murnane capping a very successful 2014 by bringing home a basket full of fine goods. Freddie Stevens won the Devil race, while Ann Horan topped the costume competition! Full results and report inside!

Before the heavyweights of the Marmotte share their war stories, here's a warm-up piece from Brian McArdle on his first taste of the Ring of Kerry experience.

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

Please see below for a message from President Denis Gleeson following the recent holding of the National Championships.

The inaugural Club Cyclocross Championships were proposed by Stephen O'Shea at the Club AGM in October. What followed was a dedicated presence at the cyclocross races of the Orwell CX Crew. All the racing culminated in the Club Championships which took place on January 2nd in Corkagh Park with a field of 15 Orwell Wheelers.

We have two set of thanks addressed to club members, from Simpson's Hospital following the Joe Daly Memorial Cycle Rally, and Jen Sheridan after the International Track GP.

In the last few weeks we've had two rounds of the Joe Daly Cycles National League, and three rounds of the Orwell StickyBottle.com Crit League. Orwell have been active throughout - with placers including Mary Brady, Orla Hendron, Ann Horan, Breda Horan, Monica Marconi, Aishling O'Connor and Sandra Telford. Results and race reports below!

The youngsters got the jump on the adults this week when they started back for winter training in Corkagh Park as part of the newly restarted youth sessions. Read how they got on below!