Moriarty to make amends

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent

The 48th edition of the Shay Elliott Memorial race rolls out from Bray Town Hall on Sunday, April 24. After 160 kilometres of testing competition in Co. Wicklow, 'The Garden County of Ireland', it will snake its way back to finish on the outskirts of the town at the Southern Cross. Regarded as one of the best one day events in the country, the "Elliott" attracts competition from far and wide and this edition will be no different.

Last year's winner of the Murphy & Gunn sponsored one day race, David O'Loughlin is an unfortunate non-starter because of commitments in the Dodge Tour of Georgia in the USA with his team Navigators Insurance.

For the last number of years the event had recognition from the Union Cycliste Internationale, but on this occasion the promoting club, Bray Wheelers CC have opted out of that arrangement, because of the increased costs levied on clubs who want their event on the international calendar. Having the event listed as an international fitted in with the aims of Cycling Ireland who listed this development in its manifesto for Irish cycling for the new millennium. Still, this will not detract from the organisers' ambition to stand and deliver the goods.

The entry list is impressive with Malcolm Elliott, one of the greats of cycling in England and further afield who is making a welcome return to the event. He is present with his team courtesy of the sponsors, Murphy & Gunn who will be anxious to do the business on the day. Last weekend, Eddie O'Donoghue registered a success for Murphy & Gunn CC when he won the Stamullan Grand Prix, whilst his success last Sunday was sweet, he would literally relish winning the 'Elliott.' The winning trophy has a series of names of the greats of Irish cycling, including Sean Kelly who won it twice.