League leader Sandra Fitzgerald of Lucan further extended her lead in the Wheelworx Orwell Ladies Crit League with another dominant performance in the fourth round in Sandyford last Tuesday evening, while Caroline Martinez of Orwell and Deirbhle Ivory of Bray won the support races.
Caroline Martinez (Orwell) delighted with her 1st win
In the Girls Race, Deirbhle Ivory (Bray) jumped away to win over her older sister Caoimhe Ivory (Bray), with Rebecca Heaney (SERC) in third place, Naoise Sheridan (Orwell) in fourth place and Áine Keogh (Orwell) in fifth place.
Girls at the start-line
In the B Race, Caroline Martinez (Orwell) led all the way to her maiden win with rookie, Máire-Tríona Keane (Orwell) following closely but Caroline maintaining the gap with her masterful cornering. Caoimhe Ivory (Bray) got the edge over older sister Ailbhe Ivory (UCD) to take third and fourth respectively.
Deirbhle Ivory (Bray) wins the Girls Race
Lynda Haran of Orwell was amongst a number of ladies doing their first ever race, and particularly impressed taking fifth place over Naoise Sheridan (Orwell), who is also flying at the moment. Going into Round 5 this week, Caroline Martinez leads the B Category following closely by Ailbhe Ivory (UCD) and Caoimhe Ivory (Bray) so it is still all the play for, especially with medals for the top six in each category.
In the A Race, Lucan duo Sandra Fitzgerald and Róisín Kennedy were in control to ensure that Sandra kept the jersey with Róisín quickly chasing down any potentially dangerous attacks and keeping the tempo high to ensure a bunch finish with an unstoppable Sandra taking her second win.
Róisín Kenndy of Lucan has things under control for team-mate Sandra Fitzgerald
Anne Dalton of Orwell has placed consistently very highly throughout the League and took her best ever placing so far with second place and Orla Hendron of Orwell took third place. Ciara Kinch of Orwell also worked hard on the front to chase down the A2 bunch but yet still managed an impressive fifth place with Catherine Devitt of Orwell, coming back into form in sixth place.
Anne Dalton (Orwell) takes 2nd place from Róisín Kennedy (Lucan)
Wendy Barry of Epic, along with new girls Ania Król, Patricia Buckley (both Orwell) and Muirna Walsh (Lakeside) also rode a great race, demonstrating that their upgrade to the A Category was well justified and it will only be a matter of time before they are placing in the A Race.
After taking the National League jersey in Bohermeen yesterday, Sandra Fitzgerald is on fire at the moment and goes into the penultimate fifth round of the League with a healthy lead over Róisín Kennedy and Anne Dalton, who no doubt will be battling it out for second and third place in the League.
Finally, many thanks to all those who watched and supported last week, especially those who made the running of the race possible. We look forward to having more spectators next week with some fantastic racing and tea and cakes afterwards promised.
All are also welcome to attend a free barbeque on the last night (24th May 2011) for prize-giving in the Blue Light Pub, Sandyford after the final race.
Top 10 Overall League Standings in A & B Categories
A Category:
1, Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan) 145 Points;
2, Róisín Kennedy (Lucan) 124 Points;
3, Anne Dalton (Orwell) 122 Points;
4, Patricia Buckley (Orwell) 105 Points
5, Ciara Kinch (Orwell) 92 Points;
6, Monica Marconi (Henry J. Lyons) 82 Points;
7, Muirna Walsh (Lakeside) 80 Points
8, Orla Hendron (Orwell) 77 Points;
9, Niamh Stephens (UCD) 75 Points
10, Sandra Telford (Orwell) 73 Points
B Category:
1, Caroline Martinez (Orwell) 87 Points;
2, Ailbhe Ivory) (UCD) 82 Points;
3, Caoimhe Ivory (Bray) 74 Points;
4, Eileen O’Sullivan (Sorrento) 72 Points
5, Máire-Tríona Keane (Orwell) 68 Points
6, Rebecca Heaney (SERC) 66 Points
7, Naoise Sheridan (Orwell) 64 Points
8, Aoife Sheridan (Orwell) 57 Points
9, Yvonne Conneally (Orwell) 42 points
10, Sadie Gleeson (Sorrento) 34 Points
Photos courtesy of Brendan Culleton & Brian McArdle
