Carroll scoops silver in National veterans’ event

The event took place over three laps of a tough 15 miles circuit at Omagh. Michael broke clear with Sean McIlroy (Carrick Wheelers) and Kevin O’Leary (St Finbars) and this trio built up a lead of 24 seconds by the finish. O’Leary won by the narrowest of margins, crossing the line after 2 hours 1 minute 58 seconds racing.

Ballymena Road Club associate member Dermot Hughes (Phoenix) finished a creditable ninth at 9 minutes 39 seconds.

Michael said: “It was good to get silver. Three of us got away at the start of the last lap and we were riding well together and quickly got a big gap, I just got pipped on the line.

“I last won the all-Ireland gold veterans’ medal 21 years ago and I have a bronze as well, plus a few more for time trials and cyclo cross.

“They are all hard to get but this one feels good, I now have six all Ireland and quite a few Ulster medals,” added Michael.

Eileen Burns was in action in both the National time trial and road race championships. The time trial took place on Thursday night over a hilly 23 miles course on the Killyclogher road where Eileen clocked 57 minutes 36 seconds.

The winner was Siobhan Horgan (Team Aqua Blue) with 53 minutes 28 seconds. Eileen’s time was good enough for sixth place.

Eileen’s husband Jason recorded 54 mins 42 seconds in the men’s race, won by u23 rider Ryan Mullen of the professional An Post, chain reaction team.

Eileen was tenth, from 56 starters, in the women’s road race.