Emyvale CC News: The weather has been pretty poor over Christmas and early January, but last weekend we started to get a break from the storms and icy weather. The Saturday groups route took in Scotstown, Smithboro, Kileevan, Newbliss, Swans X and back home via Monaghan for just over 60kms. Sunday’s route rolled out from the parish field as usual for Tydavnet, Scotstown, Rosslea, Donagh,Newtownbutler, Clones (tea stop) and home again via Monaghan all for 90kms. Over the Christmas and new year some of our intrepid racing crew continued to compete in the local and national cyclocross leagues. Here are the race reports from Dara McKenna. 10th December 2023 – Ulster Cyclocross Championships 2023-24. Very wet muddy conditions in Portadown today as Declan McEntee took to the start grid in the M50s. He and Jason Henry pulled away from the rest from the start and were knocking lumps out of each other for the first 2 laps. On the third lap Declan started to open a gap on one of dragging climbs to the top of the field and he held that lead all the way to end. Declan had the bit between his teeth today and there was no way he was settling for anything but the gold medal. Fantastic ride! 31st December 2023 – Round 5 national CX Series Round 5 of the National Series CX took place in McCrystal’s track yesterday (Saturday). Declan McEntee, Dara McKenna and Barry Cassidy were in the M50 race. Conditions were very slippery with all the recent heavy rain. Even parts of the track that we are used to riding at ease before Christmas had to be ran because of lack of traction. As the race progressed, the mud got drier and thicker which wasn’t as slippery as before, but clogged up the bikes quickly. Declan put in a big ride to take 2nd place, Dara was 24th and Barry even with 2 mechanicals and a bad fall came in 29th. Special thanks to Jaki , back on pit duty again and with 4 bikes this time to wash this time , well done Jaki. Declan is shaping up well for the final round in Dublin next Sunday and the National Championships in Limerick in 2 weeks time. 7th January 2024 – Round 5 national CX Series Final round of the National Series today in Stepaside Dublin. Declan and Dara rode the M50s on a great course, fast flowing field section and a wooded technical section too. Declan got held up a bit in a crash on first lap and Alan Bingham rode away from everyone. Dec held on to take 4th and a fantastic 3rd overall in the Series. He was also 2nd overall in the McCrystal winter league, results were announced last week. Dara didn’t get a good start on the grid and worked his way up several places on the 1st lap but crashed on the 3rd and lost a few positions again. A great day out, thanks to the organisers and also to Jaki for doing the pits and the food afterwards. 14th January – National CX Championships - Limerick Declan McEntee 5th, Dara McKenna 38th and Barry Cassidy 45th. 21st January 2024 – Sean Sharkey Memorial Race Bellurgan. Well that’s the CX wrapped up for this season, after a great race in the National Championships in Limerick last weekend , Declan, Barry and Dara travelled over to Dundalk this morning for the Sean Sharkley Memorial race at McCrystals track Bellurgan. It was a great race and the ground was reasonably dry , but sticky in places but at least there was no rain for the duration of the race. The U14s where let off first followed by the U16s , then the women , then the ole fellas followed by two National Champions Dean Harvey and Conor Murphy. The two lads eventually passed everyone after a few laps with Dean taking the win , Conor 2nd and Declan 3rd . Thanks again to Bryan McCrystal for the fantastic facility he created, from the summer league into the winter league and National events it is so good to have on our doorstep. So it’s clean down the bikes and shoes this week and get ready for the road season in about 5 or 6 weeks time.