Road Club rider Brennan getting back to his best

On Saturday both were in action in the Bobby Crilly road races which were promoted by Phoenix CC and featured the Divis mountain top finish.

Eileen took second place in the ladies race, which was the second round of the women’s trilogy league. Matthew was fifth in the A3 senior race.

On Sunday Eileen recorded a personal best time of 58 minutes 16 seconds in the “Fathers’ Day” (one week early to avoid a clash with the Grand Fondo) 25 miles time trial, which was promoted by Ballymoney CC, at Woodgreen.

Eileen’s husband Jason also had a PB 55.30 and was fifth fastest and Matthew Brennan rounded off a great weekend by finishing second in the John Mulligan memorial race at Omagh.

Matthew said: “I sat in the bunch for three laps of the Crilly race as I knew nothing would happen to the climb through Dundrod and Hannahstown.

“The pace on the climb was fast and by the top, nearing Divis, I was in a group of five, with the bunch scattered all along the road behind us.

“Unfortunately Banbridge had two riders in the break and they played a tactical game to finish first and second.

“I was then battling it out for third place at the top of Divis but managed fifth.

“In the John Mulligan Memorial at Omagh I attacked on the first lap and got a gap of one minute with a small group.

“We were caught on lap four. I sat and rested for a lap.

“My legs felt good so when Drew McKinley of Newry attacked, with two laps to go, I rode across to him with three others.

“Aaron Swan of NRPT and I pulled them along. Aaron attacked on the last lap and I went straight after.

“Aaron won and I was 10 seconds back in second place and then it was another10 seconds to the other three breakaway riders,” added a delighted Matthew.