By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Cycling Club members showed their skills on the national stage last weekend.

WINNERS: Killarney Cycling Club member Frank Doherty won the Senior 4 race and was joined on the podium by second-placed club member Thomas O'Reilly.

TOP STEP: Mark McGlynn won the S2 race.

The club hosted the second round of the Irish Cross-Country Mountain Bike National Points Series at An Óige Youth Hostel in Fossa on Sunday.

Over 150 riders from all over Ireland took part in the biggest mountain biking event in the area since the club last hosted the national championship in 2018.

Several club members won their category in the event. Adam Murphy was the top junior, Mark McGlynn topped the Senior 2 men’s race, and Frank Doherty was the winner in the Senior 4 men’s race.

“It was a spectacular performance from Mark McGlynn, combining strong legs, great technical abilities and tactical prowess to come away with the win, getting the better of 30 riders on home soil,” said club PRO Keith Lyne.

“Adam Murphy continued his good form on two wheels to finish very comfortably on the top step of the podium in the junior race. A strong sprint at the start saw a gap open very quickly which continually increased as the laps went on. No one is capable of getting the better of this young man at the moment.”

Lissivigeen man Doherty has a passion for two-wheeled sports. Last year he raced motorcycles at Mondello Park. After the season ended he took up cycle racing and has many top 10 results all over Kerry and beyond. He went off road last weekend.

“Frank Doherty swapped out his usual racing wheels for something a bit thicker and found himself on the top step of the podium after an hour of fast racing. Thomas O’Reilly wasn’t far behind and finished a well-deserved second,” added Keith.

“We also had Noel Doherty, Eoin Mannix and Cathal Hickey racing in style, and all finishing inside the top 10 [in S4]. All of our riders showed off their technical abilities around the course and provided spectators with great entertainment.”

The club PRO paid tribute to his fellow club officers who put in weeks of work to make the event happen.

“We are very grateful to everyone that made Sunday possible; An Óige for the use of the facilities, all of our sponsors who continuously back our ventures and all volunteers on the day who helped with marshalling, traffic control, set up and clean up, resulting in smooth running from start to end,” he said. “Thanks to all of the riders who travelled from all corners of the country to participate in a very enjoyable day of racing in the Kingdom.”