Sugarloaf Winter
Forum Messages
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Graham K. Bushe | Feb 10 2025, 5:18pm | Roll up, roll up, roll up! With 70 places sold already, the final race of the Leinster Winter League is fast approaching. As a “short notice, stand-by race” don’t think it is just a box ticking exercise, something thrown in just to give you a handy run around on a Sunday. I’ve had a look at the league standings, and with so much competition and so many spots up for grabs, I thought I’d better set the bar. Nothing personal. The ladies are currently topped by Anna Cronin, with Karen Crean and Tarja Owens in second and third, However, Nicola Soraghan, Clare Sullivan and Anne Bromley are all within striking distance. Can any of them make their third race and rewrite the leaderboard? On the men’s side, it looks like Niall Davis has it in the bag, With Con Halpin and Stephen Kennedy. A good performance by Mark McAdden, John, Bell, or Shane Boyce could put pressure on second or third spot for the league. F35 Ailbhe Donnellan is currently holding the top spot, but Bernadette Carton, Noreen Lynch or Dilia Howard can all be in the mix for the top 3 spots, if they get their third race. M35 Hugh McDowell, Theo Mooney and Daniel Rakic are the 1,2,3, but Shane Boyce, Ronan Daly, Darran Keogh, Fechin Heery or Carlos Justo all have a chance of getting into the top 3 depending on who turns up on the last day. F40 Only the top 2 spots are currently filled by Anna Cronin and Monica Timmins, but with 6 runners on 2 races each, the pressure is on. Nicola Soraghan, Clare Sullivan, Anne Bromley, Jane Nolan, Vickey Kortenhorst and Alva Donnelly could all by be trying for a top 3 place. M40 Niall Davis has easily run away with this and with 3 points cannot be caught. Stephen Kennedy and Gareth Little in second and third may have some battling to do as again, there are 6 who could launch themselves into 2nd or 3rd. Mark McAdden, Peter Bell, James Moynagh, John Conway, Andy Keeling and Paul Duffy. F45 First looks to be secured by Tarja Owens. Aileen Bright and Aideen Keenan currently in second and third. But again places are up for grabs with Michelle Muldoon, Kate Healy and Diane McConnell in close contention. M45 David Dunne is looking good with a win and 2 seconds, but John Bell (2 wins) could provide an upset. Justin Higgins and Stephen Lavelle are in second and third, but will be anxiously waiting to see if Ian Bromley, Alex Kirwan, Luke Steele, or Pól Ó Murchú will turn up. F50 Karen Crean has the top spot with 3 wins. Hazel Thompson and Gill McLoughlin sit 2nd and 3rd. Can they hold on, or can Jacqui Howard, Helen Dixon, Joyce Tracey or Alison Underwood re-arrange the rankings? M50 Peter O’Farrell sits on top with 4 points. Can he push that down to 3 with another win? Or can Mikey Fry beat him again to join him at the top? Tim Charnecki is sitting nicely in 3rd spot but anither good performance by Brian Kitson could displace him. F55 Deirdre Grogan has the 3 wins to secure top spot and so the battle for the remaining spots is between Margot Ryan, Hilary Jenkinson, and Sandra Kelly M55 Mick Hanney can’t be caught on his 4 points. Richard Nunan and Ben Conroy are holding the next 2 spots. But they can’t rest on their laurels, as Alan Kennedy and Brian Farrel could show up and shake things up. F60 Catherine Ryan has 5 points at the top, but Ann Robinson is on 2 from 2. A third win could see her take the lead. Anne-Marie Dooney could also get into the top 3 if she can join the fun on Sunday M60 Brian McConnell is untouchable with 3 points , As is Terry Lawless in second. But third could still be up for grabs Stephen Naughton in third could have a battle on his hands if Ciaran O’Sullivan takes on the Sugarloaf. F65 Sheila Carroll has 2 wins from 2 races and can seal the league if she too laps the loaf next Sunday. M65 Again first and second are already spoken for by Desie Shorten (4pts) and Philip Boylan (5pts) respectively Mick Mangen and Jody Boyle are currently tied for third Will they have a showdown on the Loaf, or will Dan Geelon try to oust both of them in the final round? M70 Wow You could sell tickets for this one… In the Blue Corner Joe Lalor (4 points) In the Red Corner Richard Fox (4 points) They have alternated first and second spot for the first 4 races. Now it’s the big decider. Winner takes all! Patrick Browne has already secured his third spot. Those of course are only the categories. We all know there are countless other battles throughout the field. We all have that “someone”. So, don’t hang around, get your place in the final round. 70 runners have already completed their 3 races, with a further 103 who could join them. Sugarloaf Winter...Steep climbs/descents, grass, stones, muck, technical, easy, fast, slow... Whatever it is you love/hate, I hope you'll find it all. g |
| Alan Ayling | Feb 11 2025, 4:26pm | Has Rene hijacked Graham's account? ;-) |
| Henny Brandsma | Feb 12 2025, 4:17pm | Hi Angela, is there early start for this race? Regards Henny. |
| Angela Flynn | Feb 13 2025, 8:14pm | Yes there is an early start 10:30 |
| Diane McConnell | Feb 15 2025, 12:36pm | Graham that is the ultimate click bait! It is a great read. If I wasn’t already committed to another event, I’d be there biting at the heels of F45 glory. Good luck to all racing Sugarloaf and I’ll be there for as much of the upcoming trail league as possible. |
| Alan Kennedy | Feb 16 2025, 2:19pm | Well done to Angela, Kate , Paul and all the Marshalls today for a brilliant end of league race. Special shout out also to Graham for the multiple changes he had to make the last few days and we still ended up with an amazing route. Great venue in Kilmac GAA to finish off. And well done also to Jodie for managing the winter league this year. |
| Brendan Lawlor | Feb 16 2025, 2:32pm | Well done and thank you to Angela, Kate, Graham and all the other volunteers and marshals for a great end of Winter league race today. Special thanks to Angela for stepping in at the last minute to get a replacement race for us. Thanks also to Lillian for the 2024 end of year volunteering gift! All much appreciated!! |
| Shane Boyce | Feb 16 2025, 2:57pm | Hi all, I am down as a DNF today, which isn’t correct. Who do I contact to rectify this? Thanks |
| Jeff Swords | Feb 16 2025, 4:10pm | Any queries with the results email IMRAResults at Gmail dot com |
| Mick Hanney | Feb 16 2025, 4:53pm | One runner in my photos wearing earbud (headphones). Not good or allowed. How do you expect to hear marshal instructions or a shout from a passing runner? |
| Mike Walker | Feb 16 2025, 5:03pm | Thank you Angela, Kate, Graham and all the volunteers, it was a great run, including the slippy mud and ankle smashing rocks. |
| Richard Allan | Feb 16 2025, 6:52pm | Thanks Angela and all the volunteers for a super race today. Also Graham for the superb route, really enjoyed the variation of it. Thanks also to Lillian for the 2024 end of year volunteering gift. |
| Miriam Maher | Feb 16 2025, 9:29pm | Such fun on that rollercoaster of a route today! Thanks so much to Angela, Kate, Graham, Clare and all the crew. Managed to finish my first winter league today since 2021 so especially buzzed by that ! Well done to all the leinster league winners! On a weekend of SEL, Leinster and Munster races, that means loads of people volunteering to give the rest of us some fun. Shout out to RD Angela who hit the 50th official volunteering stint, she's done lots more undocumented volunteering in the background. Roll on the next races in the season, 15 down and it's only mid Feb! Miriam |
| Karen Crean | Feb 17 2025, 5:12pm | Hi all.. The phone in floral cover is Sharon monaghan s. Wondering how or where it can be collected. If you can contact me..Karen 086 8366994 I can arrange it with Sharon . Thank you |
