With the final countdown to the FBD Milk Rás underway, 1999 champion Phil Cassidy (Cycleways) today proved he is a serious contender when he outsprinted national criterium champion Paul Healion (Usher IRC) to take his third Noel Hammond Memorial victory. Cassidy was part of a strong five man group which got clear on the fourth of six laps, and together with Healion, Dave Peelo (Usher IRC) and the Clarkes Contracts duo of Mark Sittlington and 1998 national champion Ray Clarke, forged a decisive lead over a weary looking main bunch.
The quintet steadily drew clear on the tough 12-mile circuit, before Cassidy struck for home with about 20 miles remaining. However, as the other three wilted, Healion exhibited the form which netted him the national 25-mile time trial title last year in bridging the gap to the Cycleways rider, before commencing a series of attacks which he hoped would secure victory. Following the climb of the Nags head, one such jump looked set to bring success as Cassidy dropped back but lugging a huge gear, he rejoined two miles later. The pattern was repeated again before Cassidy himself attacked, but this attempt was in turn negated and sensing stalemate, the duo opted to work together and settle the race in the final kilometre.
Having lost the race in 1998 after rounding the last corner in second place, Cassidy lunged for the lead immediately before the final left-hand bend, and kicked strongly for home to leave a disappointed Healion trailing. ‘Phil was very strong today,’ said the Usher IRC rider after the race. ‘I made a couple of attempts to get rid of him but was unable to do so…each time I got clear he was leaving me out there for a while and would then join back up again.’
Cassidy confirmed the tactic. ‘Whenever Paul tried to get clear I left him out there, but he copped on to what I was doing quickly enough. I knew that I had to be first around the last corner after losing the race that way to Kieron McMahon in 1998. I was first around the corner the following year to beat Mark Scanlon, and knew I had to do the same again today.’ However, despite taking his third victory this year, Cassidy was playing down his chances of a repeat Rás victory. ‘I am coming into form but haven’t got the same preparation as in 1999 – the business (running the Cycleways shop) means that I can’t get out on Saturday mornings and that means I haven’t done as much as I would like. Hopefully the first few days of the Rás will bring me around and then I will try to get a stage.’
Meanwhile, namesake Tim Cassidy registered yet another good win in the junior ranks, with victory over 2000 Kelly/Roche winner Ryan Patton of the Clarkes team. Cassidy forged clear in a small breakaway group with two laps remaining and then outsprinted Patton and Usher IRC team-mate David Rawlins in the final 200 metres. Lorraine Manning was first woman home while Seamus Kennedy (Navan Avonmore) took the unplaced veteran’s prize. Stamullen’s Daniel Nulty was best of the senior 2 riders in the main race.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
