Sunday, July 23

Sheils shines at Faugheen 50



Derek Sheils took the spoils in the big races today at Faugheen starting the day first by winning the Tramore Construction Open race and then again the Sean O’Reilly memorial\Friends of Faugheen Grand Final. Leading from flag to flag in both races on the Cookstown Engineering John Burrows GSXR1000, Sheils completed the double by a considerable margin in the end winning comfortably in the warm sunshine. Derek McGee finished in 2nd as Micko Sweeney took 3rd having been tormented by the efforts of Paul Jordan. McGee and Sweeney also finished in the same position in the Open race.



The Ground control sponsored Supersport 600 race was a classic that went the way of Paul Jordan on the ex Tarran MacKenzie British Supersport Yamaha R6. A 4-way battle ensued from the beginning involving Derek McGee, Derek Sheils and Micko Sweeney and Jordan but, as soon as he took the lead, Paul Jordan broke free from the pack to leave Derek Sheils in 2nd and Micko Sweeney 3rd. Cork man Ray Casey will be thrilled with his 5th place on the Kawasaki ZX-6r and is showing consistent results since Skerries and Walderstown.



A short interval was taken around lunchtime for Derek Sheils and Gary Dunlop to circulate on the immaculately prepared Honda RC45 and RS250 that Joey Dunlop so successfully raced. Probably the last time we’ll get to experience these beautiful machines on Irish roads and for displaying them on the track we’re extremely grateful to both Gary and the Faugheen club.



Joey Loughlin had a tremendous race meeting in the Tipperary village winning the Junior Support, Senior Support and Supertwins race. Producing a flawless race in both Junior and Senior Support, the ‘Blaney resident put it up to the main men in the Supertwins race by initially passing Derek Sheils and then chasing down Derek McGee to win by just under a ½ second.



In the 201-400cc race Neil Kernohan won by 13s from Seamus Elliott and Callum Laidlaw.
In the Classic races Ed Manly won the 350 race from Sean Leonard and 3rd place Herbie Ronan, while in the 250 class, Richard Ford was victorious from Brian Mateer and Philip Shaw.



The grids were formed quickly and races ran extremely well without fuss, something the club deserves enormous praise and credit for. Thankfully no red flags were deployed, the only interruption being the Joey Dunlop bike parade, all was ended by 3.30 and roads opened shortly thereafter.





Words and images Andy Quinn

Full results on www.mylaps.com


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