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TEAM-PR: O'Loughlin gets some payback in Ireland
O'Loughlin gets some payback in Ireland
Report by Tommy Campbell
After the crafty Carrick Wheelers rider Rory Wyley, outfoxed NavigatorsCiaran Power earlier in the week in Limerick and slipped up the road ina small group, Power's team-mate O'Loughlin showed up on Wyley's home sod,and exacted a little revenge yesterday (Sunday) in Sean Kelly's hamletof Carrick-on-Suir. Famed Irish sports reporter Tommy Campbell describesthe outcome:National Road Race Champion and professional with the New Jersey basedNavigators Insurance team in America, David O'Loughlin was a surprise entrantin yesterday's Carraig Hotel Challenge Cup in Carrick-on-Suir. But, itwas no surprise when he outfoxed all the 89 competitors to land the spoilsof the day.He went ahead in a group of nine shortly after the start of the eventand merely got them into gear as they opened up the throttle on the chasers,which never made the junction after that initial burst of speed at thestart.By the time they had the negotiated the Glenbower circuit, twice ofthe three times around, the original nine had come down to a head to headbetween O'Loughlin and Rory Wyley of the promoting club, Dan Morrissey/CarrickWeelers CC.Towards the end it was the fitness and the training regime that O'Loughlinhas been doing since the start of the year with the American outfit startedto kick in his favour.In the final analysis, O'Loughlin just streamed ahead to register hisfirst success of the year.Whereas he may have been disappointed at losing his winning sequencesince the end of February, Wyley can bounce back on Sunday when he defendsthe Des Hanlon Trophy. The evidence to date since the beginning of theseason, would suggest it
would be a brave individual to oppose his claim to a back-to-back winsin Carlow.Organiser of yesterday's event, Paul Lonergan, "I was surprised to seehim in town. I was of the impression that he had gone back to Belgium,but it now transpires that he is off to Italy tomorrow (Saturday). He certainlycaused a stir and he really injected an air of supremacy about the race,"said Paul.Carraig Hotel Challenge Cup/Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary-63 miles(3x21miles lap)Results
1. David O'Loughlin (Navigators Insurance-USA), 2hrs.11mins.21secs;
2. R. Wyley (Dan Morrissey/Carrick Wheelers CC), @10secs;
3. M. Conncannon (Kilorglin Credit Union CC), @20;
4. M. Hennessy (Fermoy CC), @28;
5. D. Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union), @35;
