Local rider produces scintillating form to claim prestigious cycling title

Rhiannon Dolan had an excellent weekend's racing in Dungarvan, when she was the overall victor in the under 16 stage race. The two day race saw the riders compete in a road race on the Saturday morning, followed by a time trial in the afternoon. The next day, on tired legs, the riders faced a short and fast criterium race.

The event got off to a great start when Rhiannon won the first stage ahead of Kate Murphy of Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club, based in Kerry. The duo had broken away from the main bunch and the Louth rider took the sprint for the win.

Her younger sister Ffionn came home in the main bunch along with another Cuchulainn Cycling Club rider Holly McCaffrey.

Next up in the time trial Kate Murphy posted the fastest time ahead of Rhiannon and Cliona O'Driscoll of Kanturk Cycling Club, who were joint second. This put Murphy into the pink leaders jersey going into the final stage, the criterium.

In this event Dolan managed to break away with Navan's Mya Doocey and the time the pair gained saw Rhiannon take the overall win.

Her teammates Holly and Ffionn both had excellent outings to place inside the top 10 also, with Ffionn being first under 15 rider home in the event.

In the male U16 race, another Cuchulainn rider Callum McCaffrey was riding well to finish up in joint 3rd overall after the three stages. Callum started very well, taking 3rd on the opening stage. His time trial saw him slip down the leaderboard, but a blisteringly strong criterium, where he took the win, saw him move into 3rd position overall.