Coughlan in fine form

DESPITE the absence of the top men, there was a bright start to the season last weekend with a total of 245 in action in the three races at Navan on Sunday. There was keen competition there and at the other venues. The action this weekend will be at Dunboyne tomorrow and Blarney and Dundalk on Sunday, but the handicap race listed for Aghagallon on Sunday has been postponed because of road works.

Simon Coughlan was the winner in impressive style of the main event at Navan from Paul Butler and Robert Whelan. Butler started off on a winning note in the Mid Eastern Region league race on Saturday, while Ross Blayney emerged best in the Banbridge club's handicap at Annaclone and completed a quick double in the event for juniors at Navan. In the Kiely Cup at Blarney, Brian Kenneally got his season off to a successful start.

Apart from the select group who have gained places in French and Belgian teams, those on duty in the Tour of Malaysia miss out the home scene again this weekend as that 11 day event does not finish until Sunday back on the island of Langkawi.

Butler did not go as expected last week to join the ranks of those racing in France. The Carrick on Suir man is going to Catavana, the last team Sean Kelly was with, but because of unfavourable weather in the Paris region he was advised by Kelly to delay his departure. He is set to go next week. Englishmen Ray Eden and Lee Davis are also in the team.

Butler will he taking in the Mid Eastern Region league race at Dunboyne tomorrow and the Kay Stratton memorial event in Blarney on Sunday he leaves for France, and it will be surprising if he is not among the prizewinners at both venues again.

The Blarney promotion will be over seven laps of the seven mile Blackstone Bridge circuit. There should be a big turn out also for the Cuchullain club's handicap at Dundalk. Both events are listed in the fixtures booklet to start at 1.0 p.m., but Blarney has been changed to noon. There were 69 in the opening Mid Eastern Region league race and more are expected at Dunboyne tomorrow, 11.0.

Entries close on Tuesday with Sam Darcy for the Amev Irish Road Club's St Patrick's Day handicap from outside Finglas to Drogheda and back. He also has entry forms out for the Easter weekend promotion from Tallaght to Gorey and back. The first 160 in will be accepted.

The Des Hanlon memorial races will be the first events in the classic leagues for seniors and juniors on March 31st. The competitions will be sponsored again by Telecom Call card, with eight events for seniors and six for juniors. The road race championships, which will be at a new venue, Portglenone, on July 7th, are not included.

The other championship dates are 10 mile time trial, at Clonmel on June 9th third category, veterans and women's road race, Cork on August 18th, 25 mile time trial, Wexford August 24th under age events, Tuam, August 24th and 25th, hill climb, Stepaside, August 25th 50 mile time trial, Knockmore, September 15th, cyclo cross, Ballymoney, December 7th.