Appleby Owell Womens League 2023 RESULTS
- Orwell Wheelers
- Apr 25, 2023
- 12 min read
Results and Race Reports from each round of the Appleby Orwell Womens league will be posted here weekly. FINAL RESULTS & ROUND 6 WRAP UP……
ROUND 6: TT AND FINAL RESULTS
ALBUM OF PHOTOS HERE
The 6th and final round of the Appleby Orwell women’s league brought us back to Batterstown for a repeat of the TT from the first round.
While the top 2 of both the A and the B leagues standings overall looked sewn up but there was still plenty to ride for the remaining podium and other scoring positions. It was a warm evening with a headwind heading out which then somehow not quite converted to quite a tailwind but still made for a fast trip back to the finish.
Annalise Murphy was the outright fastest rider on the night, if she had ridden with a disc wheel she probably would have repeated her performance from last year when she broke the Pineforest TT course record! There is always the next time though! Jenny Neenan and Aishling Barry completed this evenings podium, while Ellen Ní Cleirigh continued her podium streak with a first place in the B riders, followed by Gabrielle Fox and Agnieszka Samsel,
Well done to all riders tonight and to all those that raced one or more evenings! Thanks to all the helpers and marshals over the last six weeks with a special thanks to Genevieve And Eddie for their help with the timekeeping during the TTS and of course Appleby Jewelers for their continued support!
Editors note*** There are a group of women who have been working away on this event for months and who never get thanked publicaly so now is the chance! The driving force behind the womens league is Orla Hendron – without her enthusiasm, drive and determination the league wouldn’t happen. This year her team of trusted sidekicks included Marijke Beltman, Beata Golczak and Jo Lynch. Well done and thanks for another wonderful event!
TT times on the night:
A | Annalise | Murphy | 00:22:42 | 1 |
A | Jennifer | Neenan | 00:23:54 | 2 |
A | Aishling | Barry | 00:24:51 | 3 |
A | Jennifer | Bates | 00:24:56 | 4 |
A | Yvonne | Doran | 00:25:36 | 5 |
A | Aine | Kelly | 00:26:35 | 6 |
B | Ellen | Ni Cleirigh | 00:26:49 | 1 |
A | Suzanne | White | 00:26:59 | 7 |
B | Gabrielle | Fox | 00:27:12 | 2 |
A | Orla | Walsh | 00:27:31 | 8 |
B | Agnieszka | Samsel | 00:27:48 | 3 |
B | Ciara | Meagher | 00:28:46 | 4 |
B | Ciara | O Shea | 00:29:02 | 5 |
B | Marijke | Beltman | 00:29:11 | 6 |
B | Jean | Wilson | 00:29:11 | 6 |
B | Zoe | Shakespeare | 00:29:57 | 7 |
B | Aoibhe | Murray | 00:30:33 | 9 |
B | Clara | Fitzsimons | 00:30:39 | 10 |
B | Susanne | Reid | 00:30:53 | 11 |
B | Heather | Jameson | 00:37:42 | 12 |
FINAL B STANDINGS:
Ellen | Ni Cleirigh | 52 |
Ciara | Meagher | 44 |
Zoe | Shakespeare | 36 |
Marijke | Beltman | 34 |
Aoibhe | Murray | 30 |
Gabrielle | Fox | 28 |
FINAL A STANDINGS:
Orla | Walsh | 47 |
Jennifer | Neenan | 40 |
Annalise | Murphy | 39 |
Yvonne | Doran | 37 |
Jennifer | Bates | 32 |
Autumn | Collins | 28 |
Most improved: Aoibhe Murray
First junior: Zoe Shakespeare
DONT FORGET: If you got a taste for racing make sure to check out the women’s intermediate league and the Tuesday evenings summer criteriums in Corkagh organised by the women’s commission!
ROUND 5: Road Race – Dunboyne to Summerhill, 16-5-23
Video thanks to Leonard Kaye
Round 5 of the Appleby Orwell Womens League meant the progression from the crits in Corkagh park to the open road. The road race took place on the road from Dunboyne to Summerhill, an out and back course that looks dead straight on the map but in fact has plenty of turns and drags to make it interesting. The riders were split up in 2 groups based on the groupings from the crit races and experience.
The first group got a three minute head start after being briefed on the course, the rules and the strategy of racing by race director Orla Hendron. The more experienced riders in the group took control and quickly organised a chain gang with constant rolling through to keep the pace steady but fast. This was the first experience for many in the group to this type of riding but all riders were quick learners and up for the challenge which meant that the speed was high throughout. The pace was too hot for a few riders who dropped back slightly but stayed together to keep riding and bring it home.
At the turning point at the Summerhill roundabout the chase group was about 800m behind and gaining but only Orla Walsh and Jenny Neenan managed to bridge across. They eventually caught and passed the leading group to take first and second overall. Ciara Meagher completed the podium and was first B rider across the line.
Well done to all who raced, both groups had a hard race and everybody not only got to experience open road racing but also got home safe.
A special thanks to all the marshals who helped out this evening and to Appleby Jewellers for their continued support of the league. See you all next week for the 6th and final race, the second visit to the Batterstown TT!
Don’t forget the next round of the Women’s Intermediate League will take place this Sunday in Kilcullen. We hope to see many of you there!
(Write up thanks to Marijke Beltman)
Placings Round 5:
1 | Orla | Walsh | A |
2 | Jennifer | Neenan | A |
3 | Ciara | Meagher | B |
4 | Zoe | Shakespeare | B |
5 | Gabrielle | Fox | B |
6 | Ellen | Ni Cleirigh | B |
7 | Clodagh | Allen | B |
8 | Josephine | Lynch | A |
9 | Jennifer | Bates | A |
10 | Aoife | Reilly | A |
11 | Elizabeth | Kent | A |
12 | Doireann | Killeen | A |
13 | Suzanne | White | A |
14 | Jean | Wilson | B |
15 | Aoibhe | Murray | B |
Top 6 B Placings Round 5:
1 | Ciara | Meagher |
2 | Zoe | Shakespeare |
3 | Gabrielle | Fox |
4 | Ellen | Ni Cleirigh |
5 | Clodagh | Allen |
6 | Jean | Wilson |
Top 6 A Placings Round 5:
1 | Orla | Walsh |
2 | Jennifer | Neenan |
3 | Josephine | Lynch |
4 | Jennifer | Bates |
5 | Aoife | Reilly |
6 | Elizabeth | Kent |
PHOTOS FROM ROUND 5 – CLICK HERE
ROUND 4: Corkage Park Crit Race, 9th May 2023
Photos thanks to Matthew Lysaght Photo here: R4 Photos
Corkagh Park avoided the thunderstorms and rain on Tuesday and it turned out to be one of the sunniest evenings in Corkagh Park this year! It was again great to see some new faces along with some returning after a break. Racing in both groups was very honest and there was no time for tactics and playing around.
As per last week the B group was divided into two with a handicap group getting a 30 seconds advantage. The B2 riders stayed away for much longer than last week. The pace was high despite the fact that we were missing four from last week’s top 6 and other strong legs that drove the pace in round 3 but were outside of the podium. The race was won by Hannah Hayes from TC Racing who first bridged over to handicapped group, then stayed and worked for a while with Carmel Moran (2nd) and then decided to give it all she had. After doing few laps on her own Hannah went on to take a great solo win. There was a bunch sprint finish for the reminder of the placings with Gabrielle Fox winning it and taking last place on the podium.
After the finish of the B race the A race riders lined up raring to go. In order to make for more exciting racing these riders were split up in two groups for first time this series. The bigger group was set off first and the smaller second groups was held for 30 seconds before being released for the chase. After initially making up 10 seconds, the gap stayed at 20 seconds for around 10 minutes, gaining and losing a few seconds per lap. Eventually the chasing group lifted the pace and the catch was made.
Annalise Murphy put in few test surges to see if she could get a response but didn’t get away with those. She then put the hammer down and went for a hard jump followed by a very steady solo effort. A 10 second gap was held initially but then grew and it was clear Annalise was going to be the winner of the night. In the group behind her the sprint to the finish was won by Autumn Collins, followed by Orla Walsh in third. The handicap system of two groups certainly made for more interesting racing, both for spectators and riders.
Thanks again to Appleby jewelers for their continued support of the league and a big thank you also goes to all those who helped to run the race smoothly with Orwell’s Turner family leading the pack and winning the best supporters category of these crits!
We hope to see you all next week for the open road race! (Report thanks to Beata and Marijke)
B Placings Round 4:
1 | Hannah | Hayes | |
2 | Carmel | Moran | |
3 | Gabrielle | Fox | |
4 | Zoe | Shakespeare | |
5 | Ciara | Meagher | |
6 | Róisín | Kennedy |
A Placings Round 4:
1 | Annalise | Murphy | |
2 | Autumn | Collins | |
3 | Orla | Walsh | |
4 | Yvonne | Doran | |
5 | Aoife | Reilly | |
6 | Aine | Kelly |
POINTS AFTER 4 ROUNDS:
A RACE
Orla Walsh | 31 |
Yvonne Doran | 30 |
Annalise Murphy | 28 |
Autumn Collins | 23 |
Cleo Harvey | 20 |
Jennifer Neenan | 20 |
Jennifer Bates | 16 |
Elizabeth Kent | 16 |
Beata Golczak | 15 |
Monica Marconi | 15 |
Niamh Stephens | 15 |
Josephine Lynch | 15 |
Aoife Reilly | 14 |
Suzanne White | 12 |
Aishling Barry | 10 |
Fiona Guihen | 8 |
Aine Kelly | 6 |
Danielle Travers | 6 |
Clare | 5 |
Doireann Killeen | 5 |
B RACE:
Ellen Ni Cleirigh | 33 |
Danya El Gahzel | 25 |
Ciara Meagher | 25 |
Marijke Beltman | 23 |
Lorraine McGill | 21 |
Zoe Shakespeare | 21 |
Aoibhe Murray | 20 |
Carmel Moran | 18 |
Jean Wilson | 16 |
Máire Diggin | 15 |
Heather Jameson | 15 |
Susanne Reid | 15 |
Róisín Kennedy | 11 |
Hannah Hayes | 11 |
Ciara O Shea | 11 |
Clara Fitzsimons | 10 |
Emma Convey | 10 |
Toni Ryan | 10 |
Gabrielle | 9 |
Lizanne Healy | 7 |
Meadhbh O Neill | 7 |
Hannah Roche | 6 |
Isabelle Cairns | 5 |
Deirdre O Toole | 5 |
Lorraine Harrington | 5 |
Teri Kelly | 5 |
ROUND 3: Corkage Park Crit Race, 2nd May 2023
Round 3 of Appleby Orwell Women’s League brought us back again to Corkagh Park for another crit race. We were lucky to have another dry weather evening and we also welcomed slightly higher temperatures than last week.
In the B- Race, a field of 17 riders was divided into two groups and both were encouraged to work better together to stay away from each other for as long as possible. First group was given a 30 seconds advantage over chasing group and they managed to stay away for around 7 minutes. All riders felt more confident in bunch riding than a week before and with some of them putting a lot of effort at the front of the group average pace rose which made this race more challenging for all.
Two groups stayed together for the rest of the race with few riders dropping and few trying go slightly harder to lose some of their colleagues but this only led to a bunch spreading out into a nice, long single file.
Since bunch riding is not that scary anymore we expect some stronger riders to try their luck next week and maybe commit to some attacks to make the race even more entertaining for those watching.
Race finished with a bunch sprint that was again won by around 2 bike lengths by Ellen Ní Cleirigh. She was followed by Aoibhe Murray in 2nd and Ciara Meagher in 3rd.
The A Race started shortly after the finish of the B race as one group of 12 riders for their 30 minutes and 3 laps of racing. Similar to last week there was a break away from the go, but once that was brought back the group stayed together for three laps before there was some fragmentation and a group of 6 leaders was formed, followed by a group of 2 and another group of 4 riders. One of the 6 dropped into the group of 3 but it was very clear that the group of 5 were going to determine the placings of the race. There was some surging and slowing down in the group but no one made a final break, meaning that it came to the final sprint. The first two finishers were once again Orla Walsh who just pipped Cleo Harvey to the line, followed closely by Jenny Neenan in third.
Well done to all that raced, for the last crit race we will split the A race into 2 groups with a handicap to make for even more exciting racing.
Once again a huge thanks to The Bear Group for providing the toilet, Rituals for their goodies and Appleby jewelers for their continued support of the entire league.
B Race Placings
1. Ellen Ní Cleirigh 2. Aoibhe Murray 3. Ciara Meagher 4. Zoe Shakespeare 5. Meadhbh O'Neill 6. Hannah Roche
A Race Placings
1. Orla Walsh UCD 2. Cleo Harvey Dublin Wheelers 3. Jennifer Neenan Longcourt NCW 4. Annalise Murphy Longcourt NCW 5. Yvonne Doran Pinergy Orwell =6. Jennifer Bates Longcourt NCW =6. Elizabeth Kent Spin the Bean p/b Coffee
B Race Standings, after three rounds.
Pos Name Pts 1. Ellen Ní Cleirigh 33 =2. Aoibhe Murray 20 =2. Danya El Gahzel 20 =4. Ciara Meagher 17 =4. Marijke Beltman 17
A Race Standings, after three rounds.
Pos Name Pts =1. Yvonne Doran 22 =1. Orla Walsh UCD 22 =3. Jennifer Neenan 20 =3. Cleo Harvey 20 5. Annalise Murphy 17
ROUND 2: Corkagh Park Crit Race, 25th April 2023
Tuesday night saw the first of the three criteriums of the Orwell’s Women’s league take place on the Corkagh park race track.
(All smiles in the B Race!)
The less experienced racers went of in the B race for 25 minutes and three laps. The 13 minute women in this race largely stayed together until the last lap, sharing turns at the front and getting familiar with optimum race lines. We expect the experience of the first night will lead to more race activity next week! The sprint for the podium places was nearly a full lap and had Ellen Ni Cleirigh come out on top, closely followed by Aoibhe Murray and Ciara Meagher.
After their finish the B racers then got to watch some tactical racing with a break from the get go in the 12 rider strong A race. When this break was brought back another attack happened but at the same time there was a small crash in the main bunch which led to a neutralisation and a restart to allow the crashed riders to get back into the race. Both riders were able to shake off the adrenaline of the crash and be well in the mix during the rest of the race. In the end a group of five riders broke away and managed to keep the gap to the chasers. The sprint for the podium places was won by Orla Walsh, closely followed by Cleo Harvey and Annelise Murphy.
(the 5 rider winning break in the A race)
Thanks to all the racers, D squared from Sundrive for their help trackside, Bear Events for the portaloo (a lot to be said for a little comfort) and Appleby Jewellers or their continued support of the league. Well done to all tonight, hopefully see you all next week – same time, same place!
(report thanks to Marijke Beltman)
(The B group getting used the the track and some cagey racing)
PHOTOS FROM THE RACE HERE
A Race
Group | Name | Club | Place | |
A | Orla | Walsh | UCD Cycling Club | 1 |
A | Cleo | Harvey | Dublin Wheelers | 2 |
A | Annalise | Murphy | Longcourt Hotel – NCW Wheelers | 3 |
A | Autumn | Collins | Longcourt Hotel – NCW Wheelers | 4 |
A | Aoife | Reilly | Dunboyne Cycling Club | 5 |
A | Yvonne | Doran | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 6 |
A | Suzanne | White | Sorrento CC | 7 |
A | Elizabeth | Kent | Spin the Bean Power by Coffee | 8 |
A | Josephine | Lynch | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 9 |
A | Niamh | Stephens | Team Giant Dublin | 10 |
A | Jennifer | Bates | Longcourt Hotel – NCW Wheelers | 11 |
A | Monica | Marconi | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 12 |
A | Gráinne | O Callaghan | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | DNS |
A | Fiona | Guihen | Un-Attached Leinster | DNS |
A | Danielle | Travers | Dublin Wheelers | DNS |
A | Aine | Kelly | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | DNS |
A | Beata | Golczak | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | DNS |
B Race
Group | Name | Club | Place | |
B | Ellen | Ni Cleirigh | Un-Attached Leinster | 1 |
B | Aoibhe | Murray | Moynalty Cycling Club | 2 |
B | Ciara | Meagher | Spin the Bean Power by Coffee | 3 |
B | Marijke | Beltman | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 4 |
B | Lorraine | Mc Gill | Blanch Wheelies CC | 5 |
B | Ciara | O Shea | Sundrive Track Team | 6 |
B | Danya | El Gahzel | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 7 |
B | Jean | Wilson | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 8 |
B | Susanne | Reid | Bohermeen CC | 9 |
B | Máire | Diggin | Un-Attached Leinster | 10 |
B | Clara | Fitzsimons | Lucan Cycling Road Club | 11 |
B | Emma | Convey | EPIC MTB/Expert Cycles | 12 |
B | Heather | Jameson | Un-Attached Leinster | 13 |
B | Elena | De Marco | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | DNS |
B | Liz | Hanley | Dublin Fire Brigade Cycling Club | DNS |
B | Lizanne | Healy | Mondello Park Cycling Club | DNS |
B | Zoe | Shakespeare | TC Racing | DNS |
ROUND 1: 10 MILE TT @ Batterstown, 18th April 2023
Round 1 photos HERE
NAME | CLUB | START | FINISH | TIME | RESULT |
Jennifer Neenan | Longcourt Hotel – NCW Wheelers | 19:22 | 19:45:30 | 23:30 | 1 |
Aishling Barry | Dunboyne Cycling Club | 19:19 | 19:44:20 | 25:20:00 | 2 |
Yvonne Doran | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 19:20 | 19:45:32 | 25:32:00 | 3 |
Fiona Guihen | Un-Attached Leinster | 19:21 | 19:47:35 | 26:35:00 | 4 |
Suzanne White | Sorrento CC | 19:15 | 19:41:52 | 26:52:00 | 5 |
Ellen Ni Cleirigh | Un-Attached Leinster | 19:09 | 19:36:32 | 27:32:00 | 6 |
Danielle Travers | Dublin Wheelers | 19:12 | 19:39:46 | 27:46:00 | 7 |
Danya El Ghazel | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 19:11 | 19:38:49 | 27:49:00 | 8 |
Lorraine McGill | 19:10 | 19:38:16 | 28:16:00 | 9 | |
Carmel Moran | Un-Attached Leinster | 19:13 | 19:41:35 | 28:35:00 | 10 |
Josephine Lynch | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 19:16 | 19:44:42 | 28:42:00 | 11 |
Lizanne Healy | Mondello Park Cycling Club | 19:06 | 19:34:54 | 28:54:00 | 12 |
Jean Wilson | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 19:07 | 19:35:57 | 28:57:00 | 13 |
Marijke Beltman | Orwell Wheelers | 19:02 | 19:31:39 | 29:39:00 | 14 |
Zoe Shakespeare | TC Racing | 19:05 | 19:34:45 | 29:45:00 | 15 |
Susanne Reid | Bohermeen CC | 19:03 | 19:33:13 | 30:13:00 | 16 |
Clara Fitzsimons | Lucan Cycling Road Club | 19:01 | 19:31:41 | 30:41:00 | 17 |
Heather Jameson | Un-Attached Leinster | 19:08 | 19:46:52 | 38:52:00 | 18 |
Elena De Marco | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 19:04 | DNS | ||
Elizabeth Kent | Spin the Bean Power by Coffee | 19:14 | DNS | ||
Eleanor Gallagher | Un-Attached Leinster | 19:17 | DNS | ||
Gráinne O Callaghan | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 19:18 | DNS |
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