Donnelly goes it alone for Naas win

KARL DONNELLY of the Amev team was out on his own at the end of the Callcard-sponsored Matt Corcoran Memorial classic league …

KARL DONNELLY of the Amev team was out on his own at the end of the Callcard-sponsored Matt Corcoran Memorial classic league race over five laps of a circuit of almost 20 miles at Naas yesterday,

Although Donnelly was fifth overall in the Ras last month and has attained international status, this was his first win of the season.

At the finish he was a minute and 50 seconds ahead of Richie McCauley, who punctured with nine miles to go, with Raymond Clarke third at 2:40. This puts Clarke back into the lead in the league.

On the first lap through Ballymore Eustace and Blessington a group of 10 went clear - Donnelly and McCauley were there with Clarke, and also included were Ian Chivers, Shane Baker, Nigel Forde, Barry Whelan, Michael O'Reilly, Simon Coughlan and John McCarthy.

READ MORE

Donnelly, McCauley and Forde went away from the rest, but Forde eventually dropped back. The main pack reeled in all of the second group except Clarke but up at the front, after McCauley's mishap, Donnelly pressed on and kept going strongly to win.

In the league, Clarke has 33 points with Ciaran Power, who came through to take fifth place, next on 31.