National XC Championships 2025 – Day 2

by Secretary · Published July 20, 2025 · Updated August 11, 2025

Day 2 of the National Cross-country Mountain Bike Championships took place on Sunday 20 July 2025 at Tracton Wood in County Cork. The county had Cork flags flying in every street, on cars and on all the pubs. There was an excitement in the air but unfortunately it wasn’t to do with the mountain bike championships but rather the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships which were on the same day with Cork playing Tipperary at Croke Park. For the riders and supporters attending Tracton Wood it was a return to the muddy conditions after yesterday’s heavy rain. The morning did start off dry and eventually the clouds parted to reveal bright sunshine. The rain was never far away. In the race village the burger van had turned up adding a great smell around the start/finish area. The host club MBCC were all gathered and ready for the riders to turn up. Paul Joyce was back on the microphone providing music and race commentary.

The first race of the day was for the Under 14s. They were using a shorter version of the full course with three shortcuts in place to reduce their lap time. All eyes were on the expected close battle between Oscar Moran (EPIC MTB) and James Cunningham (Team WORC). They have been racing each other during the series with James winning twice and Oscar three times. Their battle started off well with the riders swapping positions during the first lap. Oscar was out in front at the end of lap 1 with James not far behind. However, Oscar returned to the timing tent a short time later the wrong way with a puncture. We’ll never know who would have finally won between the two. James kept a cool head, rode well and went on to take the chequered flag, retaining his national champion status. Ronan McCarthy (MBCC) finished second to the delight of the host club. Cian Walsh (IMBRC) was third with Darragh Jackson (EPIC MTB) fourth. Among the girls Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) was expected to take the win, especially after having won 4 rounds this year and indeed Ava did take the chequered flag. Ciara O’Connor (Drogheda Wheelers) was second with Laoise Crinion (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) third, limbing a bit after a fall.

The next race was for the Under 16 boys, Junior women and Senior women. There were no entries for the Under 16 girls’ race. The boys had two laps of the full course to do and the women had three laps. They were the first riders on the full course which turned out to be over 20 minutes per lap. In the Under 16 boys race Conor Regan (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) was delighted with his victory, giving a big shout as he crossed the line. Fionn Crinion (IMBRC), who won the NPS this year was second. Darragh O’Keeffe (EPIC MTB) was third with Darragh Murphy (Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club) fourth, having to run for most of the second lap after his chain jammed on him.

Under 16s

For this year’s national championships the women’s race was split into Senior women and Junior women. In the Senior Women’s race Caoimhe May (Team WORC) took the win and the title. Tara Brennan (Team Giant Dublin) was second with Fiona Lally (EPIC MTB) third. There was only one entry in the Junior Women’s category. Greta Lawless (Dawson Racing) started 30 seconds behind the Senior women but managed to catch up and pass them to finish her race strongly. Good preparation for Greta who is heading to the European MTB Championships next week in Portugal.

M40s

The next race was for the Masters categories, M40s, M50s and M60s. Just at the start of their race the warm rain returned making the course even more slippery. First away were the M40s with the M50s starting two minutes later and finally the M60s race starting one minute behind the M50s. They all had three laps to complete. The rain did lift half way through the race which then finished in warm sunshine.

Michael Burton (Team WORC) was leading the M40s over the first two laps, setting the fastest lap of the full course of the day so far. However, visiting rider William Simmons (Unattached), who normally races in the British Cross-country series, managed to pass Michael Burton to take the M40 title. Michael finished second with Darragh McCarter (Spellman-Dublin Port) third. David O’Neill (Un-Attached Ulster), returning from Scotland for the event, was just 10 seconds behind Darragh to finish fourth with Fergal Power (Un-Attached Leinster) fifth.

There were no surprises in the M50s race when it came to who was going to win with Robin Seymour (Team WORC) adding yet another title to his long list of palmarès. Pj Hynes (Bellurgan Wheelers) finished second with John Doris (EPIC MTB) third, Barry Convery (Newry Wheelers CC) fourth and Vinnie Fitzsimon (Team WORC) fifth. There were only two in the M60s race with Johnny McCabe (Cuchulainn CC) taking another win finishing just ahead of Michael Jordan (CSS Tallaght Wheelers).

The final race of the day was for the Senior men, Junior men and Masters M30s. The Senior men and M30s had 4 laps to complete with the single entry in the Junior men’s race, Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL), having 3 laps. Ryan is also heading to the European championships next week.

In the M30s race Sean Feeney (Team WORC) took the win ahead of last year’s champion Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles). Lee Clarke (Cycleology Racing Team) was third with Ian O’Connell (Team WORC) fourth and Francis Yates (EPIC MTB) fifth.

In the Senior men’s race Christopher Dawson (Dawson Racing) had some mechanical issues with the brake on his bike causing him some anxiety but it got sorted before the race and once lined up he got on with business to secure his fourth title in a row. Chris had the fastest lap of the day and he is joining Ryan and Greta at the European championships. David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port), the 2021 champion and winner of this year’s series, finished second with Daniel Brickenden (Team WORC) third, Nathan Kurensky (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) fourth and a surprise fifth place for Leo Doyle (ATOM 6 BIKES – DECCA CONTINENTAL TEAM) with this event being only his second ever cross-country mountain bike race!

The day finished in bright sunshine. A huge thanks to all at MBCC for putting on a great championships. A tough course in tough conditions. Unfortunately Cork lost to Tipperary in the Senior Hurling Championships but the county should be proud of what MBCC had done this weekend. We are back in Munster next weekend for the Downhill National Championships which are taking place in Ballyhoura hosted by Limerick Mountain Biking Club.