Hi °C | Lo °C CYCLING: Sam Bennett (Stena Ireland) confirmed his superiority on Saturday when he claimed overall victory in the Martin Donnelly Junior Tour which ended in Castlebar after six days of competition, WRITES TOMMY CAMPBELL.
The Carrick-on-Suir junior cyclist started the competition with a win in the opening stage, but lost out on day two when his team-mate Philip Lavery moved into the overall lead. Bennett regained the lead on Friday and comfortably defended his advantage.
"I finished second last year, but today's win was a defining moment in my short career," he said. "I can thank Martin O'Loughlin of the Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers CC. for his excellent coaching. Without him I would not have won the race. He gave the belief and the will," he added.
Yesterday's stage was won by Dan McLay of the Dave Rayner Team.
McElvaney bags
Stages success
MOTORSPORT: Monaghan's Adrian McElvaney headed a home 1-2-3 result in the Hunt Motors/Sligo Park Hotel Sligo Stages Rally yesterday, with his Impreza 50 seconds clear of runner-up Sean Gallagher.
Carlow driver Terence O'Shaughnessy took his Corolla to a fine third overall, ahead of multiple British champion John Price's Metro 6R4, while Fergal Costello won the Group N Production class in fifth place.
Two Monaghan Escort drivers looked like causing an upset earlier in the day, with Gary McPhillips setting best time on the opening stage to lead, ahead of all the four wheel drive cars. Then, Daniel McKenna held third position with three stages to go, but both of them crashed out of the rally. Galway's Mike Clyne scored a double in the Wexford MC Sprint at Kiltorcan karting track, winning on both days in his Van Diemen.
