Derek Sheils on top at Faugheen 50 Road Races

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, in action during the Faugheen 50 Road Races. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The quaint rural village of Faugheen in county Tipperary which is located in the foothills of the Slievenamon mountains was the setting for the seventh round of the Irish road racing championship. With the weather forecast looking threatening for the afternoon, race organizers were keen to get racing underway at the 11am scheduled slot. A couple of drizzling showers fell in the early in the morning, but by the first race for the Senior Support riders conditions were dry.

Tommy Henry on his Yamaha R6, lead the field away and began to pull clear of Darragh Trappe  and Andy McAllister. Coming through the field after starting from the second wave on another Yamaha was Dermot Cleary. Cleary looked fast and spectacular over the brow of the hill just after turn one, controlling his Yamaha on the back wheel with ease. Equally impressive was Henry who too had his Yamaha on the back wheel on the opening laps as he tried to make a break for it. Cleary though just had that bit extra and cross the line to win by 0.563 of a second on corrected time.

Dermot Cleary, Yamaha R6, on his way to winning the Senior Support race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Next up was the Open class which brought out the Superbikes for their first run of the day. Carrying on his qualifying form in Walterstown last week, Derek McGee headed the front row and used it to the full as he lead the field out of the first corner. Closely followed by Michael Sweeney and Derek Sheils. The sheer speed of these bikes at full pelt along the narrow country lanes is a sight to behold and how the riders keep control of them never ceases to amaze hedgerows of spectators. McGee still recovering from injures received at the Isle of Man TT, didn't show any signs of it as he controlled the race from the front. By lap two Sheils was past Sweeney and the Dubliner set upon catching the "Mullingar Missile" ahead. The Kawasaki mounted McGee was every match for his Suzuki mounted rival. Then on the last corner of the final lap he was out maneuvered as Sheils made a great move round the outside to McGee's surprise to take the lead and victory by 0.051 of a second. Michael Sweeney brought his BMWS1000RR home in third.

Derek McGee, Kawasaki ZX10R, leads Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR1000, and Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, during the Open Race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR1000, in action on his way to winning the Open Race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR1000, celebrates with a wheelie after winning the Open Race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Sadly the Junior support race didn't run its full distance after being red flagged twice but thankfully all riders involved were not seriously injured.

Supertwins were brought out next and from the off Michael Sweeney and Derek McGee set about battling for the top spot of the podium. Both riding Kawasaki ER6's they were only followed by James Chawke on the classic looking Patton. Sweeney grabbed the lead on lap one but positions were swapped on lap two but sadly as the race was building up to be a cracker, McGee's bike broke down leaving Sweeney to run free to victor from James Chawke and Daryl Tweed.

Flag marshal Ray Halpin mans his post as Derek McGee, Kawasaki ZX6, passes by during the Supersport race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek McGee, Kawasaki ZX6, celebrates after winning the Supersport race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the Moto 3 / 125cc race McGee lead into turn one and was never challenged and comfortable won by 13.895 seconds, but it was the battle for second which kept the crowd entertained as sibling rivalry between the two Kennedy's evolved. It was Mellissa who outfoxed her brother Wayne to come home second to add another podium to her list this year. The Lightweight Support race was also a close run thing with David Howard taking the win from Steven Tobin by 0.134 of a second.

A specator looks on as Derek McGee, Honda Moto 3, passes by during the Moto 3 race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For the Supersport race the top three again lined up along with rising star Mike Browne. Another great battle was anticipated but sadly another mechanical failure on his Yamaha R6 put paid to Derek Sheils chances to make a hat-trick. All the same McGee, Sweeney and Browne did put on a show but nearing the end McGee had pulled out enough to win by 0.958 of a second with Sweeney a further 1.7 seconds back in third.

Derek McGee, Kawasaki ER6 leads Michael Sweeney, Kawasaki ER6, during the Supertwins race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Michael Sweeney Kawasaki ER6, on his way to winning the Supertwins race. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Michael Sweeney gives Derek McGee a lift back to the paddock on his Kawasaki ER6, after winning the Supertwins race.  Photo: Barry Cregg.

In the 250cc Classic race Brian Mateer headed home Richard Ford and Philip Shaw with Edward Manly taking the win from Mick Brady and Ian Thompson in the 350cc Classic race. In the 500cc Classic race John Pemberton won comfortably from Freddie Stewart and Andy Kildea. The big 1000cc Classic race Richard Ford continued his winning ways from Ian Thompson and Philip Shaw.

With the wind picking up and the dark clouds gathering the Grand Final was the last race of the day. Another chance for fans to see the top men on the big bikes and for McGee to get one over rival Sheils. The saying "We have saved the best to last" is often used for different events but at Faugheen today the best was most certainly saved for last. The three top men at the moment put on one of the best displays of racing not seen for a long time. Not an inch was given and the rest of the field had no chance in joining in.

Derek McGee, Kawasaki ZX10R, leads Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, with Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, in third. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek McGee, Kawasaki ZX10R, leads Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, with Michael Sweeney, BMW S1000RR, in third. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Sheils made the start and lead on his Suzuki GSXR1000 from Michael Sweeney on his BMWS1000RR with McGee back in third on his Kawasaki. By lap two McGee was up to a place and less than a second covered the top three. By lap four of the six lap race McGee was past Sheils and into the lead. In the first superbike race when in the lead McGee controlled it and set out to do the same without the end repeating itself and letting Sheils gets passed.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000, leads Derek McGee, Kawasaki ZX10R, on his way to winning the Grand Final. Photo: Barry Cregg.

He held his lead going on to the last lap but Sheils was out for victory again and made his way back passed McGee on the final lap and held it to the flag and deservedly took the win. Again McGee had to take another big bike race on the chin and Sweeney came home just behind. A fantastic ending to a great days action.

Derek Sheils, Suzuki GSXR 1000,celebrates after winning the Grand Final. Photo: Barry Cregg.