2011 DINNER DANCE

Main sponsor Michael Clarke, family and club members

The annual BVRC dinner was held on Saturday 26th at the Wild Duck Portglenone. Following the dinner  Lawrence Maguire gave the
chairman's speech commencing with thanks to all who helped in any way, with a special mention for the marshalls and to the Hawthorn Inn for the use of their car park during the time trials, in what was one of the most successful seasons in the Club's history. 

Mike Carroll and Chairman Lawrence Maguire

With all our events, from the Club time trials through to the main calendar events such as the Bann Valley Classic and the Marie Curie charity run, attracting record numbers and with large numbers turning out for the ''Sunday runs'' the growth of the Club this year was notable.

Tony McPeake with Adrian McPeake Bicycle Snack

Lawrence then commenced the prize giving by reading a list of achievements by our very talented under 16 star, Conor McAteer. Conor
among many other awards this season has been selected for the Cycling Ireland Talent Team who are aiming for the 2020 Olympics and  also took Gold in the U16 scratch competition at the Irish track cycling championships. 

Gerry McCullagh GMC Electrical with the Prize winners

The Club prizes were presented for the  GMC ELECTRCAL road race league with sponsor Gerry McCullagh presenting Tony McPeake
with the trophy for first place while the AWT REFRIGERATION ten mile time trial league trophies were presented by sponsor Trevor Reid, Mike Carroll collecting the trophy for first place in this discipline.

Trevor Reid AWT Refrigeration and Dean McElfatrick

Other presentations were made to Damian Convery for the most improved rider and to Bernie McNally for first lady in the TT league. Mike

Carroll recieved  the BAR award while the Hill Climb trophy went toTony McPeake. Other presentations were made by Adrian McPeake on

behalf of the Bicycle Shack.

Bernie McNally

After the presentations the chairman thanked all the Clubs sponsors with a special thanks to M. Clarke and Sons contracts for their
continued and vital sponsorship and closed his speech by expressing thanks to the Wild Duck for the superb meal and surroundings

Christina Clarke and Conor McAteer

Bann Valley’s Conor on Irish Cycling Talent Team

Bann Valley Road Club (M. Clarke & Sons Contracts) received the welcome news this week that its 16 year old Irish champion cyclist, Conor McAteer,  has been selected for a place on the newly established Cycling Ireland Talent Team 2020. Conor, who is an A’Level  student at St. Louis Grammar School, was one of only eight in his age group from across Ireland to be offered a place on the Talent Team, based on race results in 2011. The initiative aims to identify and develop talented youth riders, building a structure that will see the development of cyclists through to the 2020 Olympics.  In the short term, the experience should also help smooth Conor’s transition from the Youth to Junior ranks next year.

Another local cyclist, Aaron Swann of TSC Racing, is amongst the eight other riders selected from the younger age groups.  Both athletes attended the first of 3 one-day team sessions in Dublin on Saturday 29th October. Going forward, it is intended that the Talent Team will compete internationally as a squad in 2012. Bann Valley Road Club congratulates both riders and wishes them well in this venture.