THE ERRIGAL INTERNATIONALÂ YOUTH TOUR’S fourth staging in the county over the weekend showed again just why it’s considered Ireland’s premier youth tour.
From a local perspective, it was Conor Halvey of Errigal Cycling Club and Adam McGeever from Advanced Athletes Academy (AAA)Â who were worthy of the plaudits.
Halvey (pictured above by Jim Halferty) was the highest Donegal finisher in the flagship Under-16 event, coming in 17th place overall in an ultra-competitive field. The St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, student was fourth on Stage 4, using his local knowledge well in the Criterium circuit in Letterkenny town.
Halvey spoke to Chris McNulty on Monday after Stage 4 in Letterkenny. Listen below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/conor-halvey-errigal-youth-international-tour
McGeever was in the Under-12 event and the Gweedore native was named as the best young rider in the colours of AAA (Advanced Athletes Academy).
Gweedore’s Adam McGeever (centre). Photo:Â by Jim Halferty
The Under-16 event was won by Stephen Dent from Nevis Cycles in Inverlochy, Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands.
Dent (pictured above by Jim Halferty) came in ahead of William Draper, who represents Team Royal London Isle of Man and third placed Adam Ward from the Irish National Youth Academy. Ward is from Donemana, Co Tyrone, and the 14-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful season that included winning the Ras na Og youth race in Drogheda.
Dent won three out of the four stages to seal his win with the Scot coming first on Stage 1 into Gartan on Saturday, Sunday’s time trial, which was Stage 2 at Foxhall and then Stage 3 around Keelogs.
The fourth and final stage – Monday’s Criterium circuit in Letterkenny town – was won by Liam Wilson of the Irish National Youth Academy.
Listen below to hear the thoughts of Dent …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/stephen-dent-winner-of-the-the-errigal-international-youth-tour
The winning girl was Eidith Thomson from Stewartey Wheelers – a club from the Castle Douglas area of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland – and William Draper of Team Royal London Isle of Man won the young rider award.
In the Under-16 team category, Team Royal London Isle of Man were first, the Irish National Youth Academy second and Westport Covey Wheelers from Mayo were third.
The Under-14 event was similarly competitive with Mark Smith – a native of Moynalty, Co Meath from the Irish National Youth Academy – the overall winner. Smith won ahead of Alexander Dent from Nevis Cycles and Alfie Ward from Birmingham of Discovery Youth Cycling Club.
George actually won Stages 2, 3 and 4 but it was Smith’s start that sealed his overall victory.
The pink jersey for the best girl went home with Amelia Sharpe from Team Royal London Isle of Man and the best young rider was Tom Moriarty from the Irish National Youth Academy. Moriarty is from Kilcummin, Co Kerry.
In the team event, the Irish National Youth Academy came ahead of Team Royal London Isle of Man, with the Ulster Youth Academy in third.
https://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=5UOREytdqNg
Video: Errigal Youth International Tour by Eye in the Sky
There was a first and second for the Yorkshire Mafia in the Under-12 event, with Finlay Pickering finishing off the weekend in yellow ahead of clubmate Max Poole. Third place went to Darren Rafferty from the Ulster Youth Academy. Rafferty is from Coalisland, Co Tyrone.
Maeve Gallagher from Castlebar Cycling Club in Mayo was best girl and McGeever from AAA (Advanced Athletes Academy) was the best young rider.
Yorkshire Mafia took the team honours with the Ulster Youth Academy and Westport Covey Wheelers second and third respectively.
The  Errigal International Youth Tour was in it’s fourth year with over 220 competitors from all over Ireland, the UK and as far away as South Africa and Malta.
Tags:
