There were perfect racing conditions on Sunday with dry roads making the competition fast and highly competitive. At the top the competition was fierce between Keith Amor, Ryan Farquhar and the Dunlop brothers William and Michael.  Races were all run over 8 laps apart from the final which was a 10 lap race.

Race 1: 250cc Junior Round of Two Stroke Racing Supporters Club Championship

Sponsors: Mossy Fitzgerald Building & Renovation; Kilkieran Cottage Restaurant; Sky Dive Ireland, A O’Sullivan & M Keys

Racing commenced in lovely weather to see the two Dunlops battling it out for poll position with William getting the better of Michael.  They led the field the whole way round from 3rd position Davy Morgan.  Previous race record was set by Michael Dunlop last year at 1:21.623 and has been beaten this year b y William at 1:20.014.

Race 2: Support 401 – 750cc Championship Round of Daingean Motorcycle Supporters Club.  Sponsors: Philip Lynch Livestock; M McGuire Machine Hire, Callan Tyres; Suir Plant Hire

Great cheers greeted local winner and club member of this race Alan O’Dwyer.  There will be great celebrations following his success recently with a win in Walderstown and second in Kells.  Andrew Farrell came in second followed by David Yeomans who was the top qualifier for this race last night.

Race 3: Open 201cc-1010cc Championship Round of Daingean Motorcycle Supporters Club.  Sponsors: Donagh O’Sullivan Heating & Plumbing Contractor; Roadstone Retail; Mark Maher Construction Plant & Crane Hire, Whitechurch Technologies Ltd

This race was won by Keith Amor followed by another club member John Walsh who was second.  Locals will be delighted to see club members getting rewarded after all the work they put into the club before race day even arrives.  Michael Dunlop was in 3rd position getting the better of William in this race after being beaten by him in Race 1. Ryan Farquhar the favourite to win this race had to retire due to bike problems.  Lap record held for this race was in 2006 by Raymond Porter at 1:15.923, this has been beaten by Keith at 1:15.044.

Race 4: Classic 250cc-1000cc Championships

Sponsors: Carraig Hotel; Sheehan’s Garage; ABCO Marine Ltd; Clonmel Tyres

The 250cc and 350cc Championship was held Saturday evening after Practice.  The winner of the 250cc was Robert Wright with a time of 2:00.371 followed in second by Greg McCarten.  The comfortable winner of the 350cc was Ed Manly (Jr)  also a club member 14.865secs ahead of Denis Gallagher with Freddie Stewart gaining 3rd position.  Ed has beaten his 2007 race record with a new time of 9:50.730 and also set a new lap record of 1:37.036. The 500cc part of the race was held Sunday with Gary Jamison the winner over Billy Lyle with Gary Hutton in third place.  The 1000cc also held Sunday was won by Richard Forde a lap ahead of Gerry O’Sullivan.

Race 5: 600cc Championship.  Sponsor:  Grange Motorcycles, Co. Limerick.

Ryan Farquhar came back strongly after his earlier bike problems to win this race just .842 secs ahead of William Dunlop who had the fastest lap of the race at 1:16.687 giving Ryan a good challenge in this race and beating Ryans 2007 Lap Record.  Keith Amor only 6.972 secs behind came in 3rd in this race after his previous win in Race 3.  Ryan did set a new race record beating his previous 2007 record in a time of 10:23.181

Race 6: Support 201cc to 400cc Championship. Sponsor: OK Lifts Trucks Ltd, Grannagh, Waterford

There was a number of incidents in this race which was stopped and rerun as a 5Lap race.  One incident occurred at Creamery Corner the other occurred at Church Corner and unfortunately Alistair Haworth (UK) who is one of the leaders of this race in the Irish Championship was one of those involved, however there were no serious injuries.  There was a ferocious battle between winner Ronan Pentony and Andrew Farrell who had the fastest lap with a time of 1:28.473 and came in .060secs behind Ronan. In third position closely following the leaders was Paul Maguire.

Race 7: 125cc Championship.  Sponsor: Signiatec Ltd, Castlehale, Co. Kilkenny

Cousins Michael and Sam Dunlop battled it out in this Championship race with Michael winning 6.691secs over Sam.  Graham Wilson came in third 16.437secs behind the leader.  William Dunlop unfortunately didn’t get to join the grid due to the fact that he is only allowed to race 5 times in one day and we will see him in the Grand Final.

Race 8: 600cc Non-Championship. Sponsor: Shay Power Ltd, Plant Hire; Keohoe’s Bar, Clonmel

Competition was fierce between the top 3 competitors of this race who were well separated from the rest of the group.  Ryan Farquhar took his second win of the day by just half a second ahead of William Dunlop.  Keith Amor followed extremely closely to gain third position, he got the fastest lap with a time of 1:16.822.

Race 9: Senior Support 401cc-750cc Non- Championship. Sponsor: ‘Sponsor a bale’

Andrew Farrell the winner of this race from Myles Byrne.  In third position was our own Alan O’Dwyer who was met with cheers of “62 We Love You” from his young supporters.  The gap between 2nd and 3rd was a mere .238 of a second.

Race 10: Faugheen’s Grand Final. Sponsor: Suirway Forklifts; Tegral Thrutone Slates; Michael Phelan Transport Ltd

Bike Trouble once again knocked Ryan Farquhar out of competition for this race giving Keith Amor his second win of the day over this ten lap race with a best lap time of 1:15.306.  The Dunlop bothers were competing once again with Michael in second and William in third position.  Club Member John Walsh did excellent taking fourth position only 6.740secs behind the leader. 

All in all an exciting well ran race with plenty of surprises for spectators with different racers sharing the podium.  It was great to see Ryan, Keith, William and Michael each having a win.  The Faugheen 50 Club are also extremely proud of their own members Alan, John and Ed who also had great results.  Sincere thanks to all those involved in the running and organising of this great annual event.

Report by: Carol Curran, Faugheen 50 Supporters Club PRO.