Maeve Gallagher and Shay Donley both finished impressively in 8th place in their respective Road Races at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Gyor, Hungary today. These results place the two riders in the history books as the top finishes for Irish riders in a Road Race event at the EYOF.

The girl’s race was a fast one, with the race finishing ten minutes ahead of schedule. In the first lap of the 44.5km race, a crash affected Lara Gillespie, forcing her to chase for 8km before reaching the main peloton. Gillespie, silver medallist from earlier this week, finished in 18th place despite this effort, just outside the formidable 8th of her Mayo teammate, Gallagher.

Caoimhe O’Brien was also involved in a crash in the closing stages of the race, with her bike faring worse off. The determination of the 15-year-old Lakeside Wheeler shone through, with her carrying the bike over the line to finish in 60th place.

Girl’s Road Race

Gold Dina Scavone (BEL) 1.08.21
Silver Wilma Olausson (SWE) 1.08.21
Bronze Maria Bertelsen (DEN) 1.08.21
8th Maeve Gallagher (IRL) 1.08.21
18th Lara Gillespie (IRL) 1.08.21
60th Caoimhe O’Brien (IRL) 1.11.34

Boy’s Road Race

Gold Andrea Piccolo (Italy) 1.37.02
Silver Vlas Shichkin (Russia) 1.37.02
Bronze Viacheslav Polozov (Russia) 1.37.02
8th Shay Donley (IRL) 1.37.54
43rd Cathir Doyle (IRL) 1.37.54
69th Mark Smith (IRL) 1.38.24

CONGRATULATIONS MEAVE ON A SUPER RESULT FROM ALL IN SWINFORD AC.