Throwback Thursday....... for the weeks leading into the Donal Crowley memorial sportive, we will be dedicating our weekly ‘Throwback Thursday’ series to Donal Crowley’s memory. Donals illustrious cycling career began in 1965 at schoolboy level. His rise in the sport was so quick that the following year he was selected to represent Ireland at the 4 day European championships in Düsseldorf. Here is Donal some years later powering on towards the finish line.

Today, Blarney Cycling Club took a leap into the Virtual world, adding a new chapter to the esteemed history the club has built up over the 132 years the club has been established. The oldest Cycling Club in Ireland can now add being the first Irish Club to officially host a training session on the Virtual World that Zwift allows us to experience. The structured session which allowed club riders to mingle and ride with riders from countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, United States, Sweden and Belgium (just to name a few) and more importantly enjoy a good mid-week training session while being able to test themselves against riders of varying levels. In total there were 85 riders who took part in the session which was led by club rider Owen Mullowney. Tonight’s session was the first of a recurring Tuesday training session that is open for all riders of all abilities. Why not drop by the Virtual Gully on Zwift next Tuesday evening at 5:25 pm and join us on our new venture in taking Blarney Cycling Club into the future.

The annual Donal Crowley Memorial Sportive takes place on Sunday February 18th, and Blarney CC welcomes cycling enthusiasts of all levels to take part. Details are as follows; Date: 18th February 2018 Sign on: The Castle Hotel, Blarney from 9.30am Start Time: 10:30 am sharp 100km (intermediate/Advanced level) Cycle: €25 online/ €30 on the day 40km (beginner level) Cycle: €15 online/ €20 on the day Online Registration now open. To register online go to; http://www.blarneycyclingclub.ie/donal-crowley-memorial-2018/

DCM18 entry opens at 9am tomorrow... flashback to 2017 from Declan Shine... https://www.facebook.com/Blarneycyclingclub/videos/1437015299650775/

Online entry for the Donal Crowley Memorial Sportive opens this Saturday at 9am *small insight of the 100km route*

Throwback Thursday..The Ray Looney trophy was fought for on a glorious Blarney evening on Saturday August 20th 2011 over a fast and furious criterium circuit. Winner on the night, just pipping the 'Pocket Rocket' Paudi O'Brien, and representing Blarney, was Eddie Barry. With this win, Eddie joined an illustrious list of previous winners including Donal Crowley, Pat Crowley, Ger Madden, Gerard O’Shea, Brian Osbourne and Anthony Dineen. Results that evening were as follows: 1. Ed Barry – Blarney CC 2. Paudi O’Brien – Sports Active 3. Stephen Clancy – Limerick CC 4. Owen Cummins – Blarney CC 5. Brendan McLoughlin - Blarney CC

Best of luck to Fiona Meade who will be representing Blarney Cycling Club at the National Cyclocross Championships in Glencullen Adventure Park, Co Wicklow this coming weekend.

Looking forward to seeing cycling enthusiasts of all levels taking part in the Donal Crowley memorial sportive on 18th February!

Throwback Thursday...our Club President Denis Forrest always smiling, even when racing!

Happy New Year from the team. Here’s to a huge 2018.