GAELFORCE WEST FORMGUIDE:- by Paul Mahon MSAI
“MSAI’s formguide has all the latest news based on available information, curent form and expceted soft going with some tail winds and of course a possibility of a bitta rain 
Padraig Marrey on the side of Djouce at WAR: Glendalough in April.
In the Men’s race the defending champion and local favourite Padraig Marrey will undoubtably defend his title fiercely but with a hard season behind him he will need to be at the top of his game to keep the challengers at bay. English guest elite full time adventure racer Bruce Duncan comes with a tall reputation and is in good form so he is expected to give all the home contingent plenty of opposition but he too has had several hard events and this race might prove too short for his undoubted abilities over longer distances. he is being given a great chance with expert advice on the route for his preperation though compared to some of the wily veterans he will need all the knowledge he can glean in his big race preparations. Three time winner and twice second Peter O Farrell has recovered well from a poor season start at WAR Glendalough and comes here having trained and raced very well recently. He should be fresher than most of his opponents and will have intimate course knowledge which could prove useful so will again take all the beating. Tom O Dowd who finished strongly here last year to take third is also racing well after a slow season start and again should be in the reckoning for the podium. Micheál Forde had a great ascent of the Reek last year to take him into fifth and if his cycling has improved to a comparable level then he is another that will challenge. The presence of Andy Murray on the start line should ensure a fast first run – He was in first at the start of the kayak stage and in second at Delphi but after a poor cycle leg he dropped out before the reek. If he has worked on his biking and has a more balanced race he certainly has the speed to figure.
Niall Somers (Belpark) taking a win at the HellFire Duathlon in June.
The man I think will challenge them all strongly on his first Gaelforce is West Wicklow Roar winner Niall Somers who has had some focussed training abroad recently and has had this race as his season goal for some time. With strength on and off the bike it will be interesting to see if the experienced hands like Marrey, O’Farrell and Duncan can manage to keep him at bay. Other outsiders for the podium who should make the top ten include Somers’ training partner Anthony Frazier, local Noel Gibbons, Martin Bradshaw, Adian Mc Moreland, Jerry O Sullivan and Eanna Cunnane who has been competing successfully in sport events recently plus notherner Peter Cromie who is usually spotted doing the mule work on MSAI’s adventure race teams in longer events like the Ballyhoura Beast and Cooley Raid and is my “unknown outsider” tip for a top 5 finish.
Gibbons is probably favourite in the vets competition ahead of usual contenders Paul Mahon, Noel Brady, Kevin Murphy and David Sands who has been is good form lately too.
It promises to be a fascinating race with close and fierce racing assured – May The Best Man Win!
Mary Mulcrone on her way to WAR:Glenmalure victory in June.
In the ladies race it seem to be much more straightforward contest in the absence of reigning champion Derval Devaney who has not fully recovered from a recent bike crash that left her with a severe head gash and other crash related injuries. Former champion Mary Mulcrone is a fierce competitor who knows the course and distance well but like her partner Marrey is also on the recovery trail after a hard season with wins at Rough Diamond, West Wicklow Roar and WAR Glenmalure in addition to her successful completion of the 24hour Reeks Challenge. WAR Glendalough and Monster Mac winner Emma Donlon is herself on the recovery trail after a mid season fall on Djouce was followed by another 3 weeks ago whilst descending Snowdon. The latest fall left her with 3 broken toes and unable to run since but her previous form and undoubted abilities are such that she is taken as favourite to confirm her recent Race 2 Glory form ahead of Mulchrone. Strong cyclist Marie Boyle who has had some great success in sport events is likely to round off the top 3 and take the top vet placing in the process as last year’s winner Betty Walsh also misses the event with injury with other top 5 contenders likely to be Roisin Hickey and Collette Sweeney with vets Mary walsh, hilary Jenkinson and Kathleen Barry also likely to figure in the top ten“.
Loading ...
Recent Comments