May and O'Brien Dominate National Hill Climb Champs

2024-10-07

Orwell's Killian O'Brien and Caoimhe May completed a clean sweep at the National Hill Climb Championships taking the men's and women's titles.

Killian O'Brien and Caoimhe May don their new National Champion's jersey

Pinergy-Orwell Wheelers' Killian O'Brien and Caoimhe May completed a clean sweep at the National Hill Climb Championships taking the senior men's and women's titles at the Orwell-promoted event, held on Saturday on a tough course finishing at the top of Tibradden Lane. O'Brien and May's titles were the highlight of a vintage day for the club which also saw Claire Dillon medal in the women's event. Orwell had four riders in the top ten in the women's race and three in the top ten in the men's race.

Killian O'Brien hits the slopes of Tibradden. Pic Credit: Sean Rowe

Junior O'Brien, who has been racing in Italy in the colours of his new team Veleka, flew home for the event and demonstrated the form that has netted him a hatful of strong results this season, including victory at the Gran Premio Madonna delle Grazie and third overall at the Junior Tour of Wales. Just three seconds separated him and renowned climber, Orwell old-boy Ruairi Byrne of UCD, with Gareth O'Neill rounding out the podium. Orwell's Patrick O'Sullivan finished in a fine eighth place while club hill climb champion Sean O'Kane finished ninth, another strong result in a great debut season.

Claire Dillon (left) and Caoimhe May (centre) with Niamh O'Dwyer on the podium. Pic Credit: Sean Rowe

In the women's event Caoimhe May, who has already won national titles off road, dominated the race, finishing a massive 46 seconds ahead of her nearest rival, Orwell's Claire Dillon. They were joined in the top ten by recently crowned Master's Champion Yvonne Doran (7th) and Josephine Lynch (8th).

Caoimhe May powers to victory. Pic Credit: Sean Rowe