The Irish National Downhill Championships took place last weekend at a brand new venue, just outside the Heritage town of Cahir in Co. Tipperary, organised by 021racing from Cork.
 
As the song goes ” It’s a long way to Tipperary”, but damn was it worth it!  For once the weather did it’s best and joined the party, unlike the pissy humour it’s been in all year!
 
Riders were on site from the Wednesday before the event, to ensure they got maximum practice and it paid off for some riders namely Colin Ross and Carl Young, who both won their respective categories!  Scaragh woods offers a great venue with a spectacular finish and parking all in the same area, which helps create an electric atmosphere, which was also made better by the presence of Lakis the Red Bull DJ, in his awesome converted US army Dodge truck, he kept spectator’s and riders entertained with his cool tunes.  Nacc Event’s from the UK once again did a great job with the live timing and with commentator Ian Brown on the PA, everyone was kept up to speed with the latest times and reults.
 
 The lovely Red Bull girls kept over 180 racer’s energised in the heat and added a nice touch of glamour to 2008’s most prestigious mountain bike event, Red Bull also provided the Red Bull arch and riders could have been forgiven for thinking they were competing at an International event, it was definitely a big step up from the NPS.  The basics were right and the track was class!  As the Irish Team Manager Joe Ward described it, you need big balls, serious fitness, you need to be able to jump well and corner well.  It definitely tested the best riders all round abilities.  The fastest times in seeding were all around the 2.05 mark, but riders were winding their way through the trees at over 25mph all the way down!
 
Many riders got six and seven runs in practice due to the superb fleet of Mercedes Sprinter LWB vans that were shuttling the riders in record speed!
 
The racing got under way at midday on Sunday.  The start had spectacular views of the Galtee mountains.  The first category to go was the U14’s and man were these guys flying!
Dan Sheridan took the win with an amazing time of 2.13!  Cameron Cornforth from 021racing took 2nd place ahead of Christopher Mclinchey in 3rd.
 
U16’s next, Gavin Carroll was the young man who dominated this category, he put 5 second’s between himself and 2nd placed Taryan Lewis from Killarney.  Micheal McCaann rounded off the podium in 3rd.
 
The Super Vets were up next and to be honest I hope I’m still able to ride a bike when I’m their age, let alone race!  Tom Sheridan wrapped it up, he couldn’t let Dan enjoy being # 1 on his own!  Peter Popham flew into 2nd, followed by CRC’s Derek Cowan.
 
The Veterans was very competitive this year and it could have been anyones race!  In the end Carl Banana Man Young nodged it ahead of Stevie Davidson with the Flying Deise man from 021racing Dave Mc Manus in 3rd.
 
Into the Masters and with the absence of current National Champ Micheal Cowan, due to a shattered pelvis, new man Glyn O Brien was in Flying form taking the win ahead of 021racings John Thompson (JT), with Dale Mc Mullan from CRC in 3rd.
 
The Sport category was won by a man who has returned to the sport after a long absence, Paul MeGarry took the honours ahead of IMBRC’s Gareth O Rielly with James O Reilly in 3rd.
 
The Senior category was won in a super time of 2.06 by Dave Egan, who said he has never had such an amazing run in his whole life!  Welcome to Pro- Elite Dave!  2nd spot was taken by the ever improving Cathal Hickey from Killarney with Brian Cooney in 3rd spot.
 
There was a great turnout in ladies and your 08 National Champion is the Flying Doctor Maeve Baxter,  Aoife O Donoghue from DCU was 2nd followed by Nathalie Jedda in 3rd.
 
The Juniors was tight, but the rider of the year Ewan Doherty retained his National title ahead of his closest rival and Irish team mate Seanan O Riordain, with Wee Johnny McKee in 3rd after a superb race!
 
THe Elites was quite open, with Ben Reid deciding to rest ahead of his World Cup campaign in Canada.  The man who made it count was Colin Ross and the Wolfe brothers duked it out for the remaining podium spots, with older brother Ger knocking Dan into 3rd.  Gareth Mckee continued his impressive season with a fine 4th place ahead of 021racing’s Greg O’ Keeffe in 5th, just beating his best friend and team mate Tom Power into 6th!
 
It’s all over another year, Ten riders get the pleasure of carrying the moniker of National Champ for a year!
 
Thanks again to all involved in organising the event and all the riders who supported it!