John Neill wins final stage of Bobby Crilly 3-Day on Monday 28th August 2006.
(could this  photo win the 2006 best Madigan Shirt photo competition? it would take a cracker to beat it I think?).
 
John Neill (Team Madigan) from Mossley had a fantastic final stage win in the first Bobby Crilly 3-day stage race promoted by Phoenix CC near Crumlin last bank holiday weekend Saturday 26th to Sunday 28th August 2006.
Belfast’s Peter Hawkins (Usher I.R.C.) was the overall winner, David Mulholand (Apollo CC) was second and Adam Armstrong (Northern CC) was third.
 
John Neill the 29 year old Shorts Fitter was in lively form throughout the event finishing equal 11th in Saturday's opening road race stage.  He dropped back to 15th place on GC after the Sunday morning Time Trial, however he worked very hard to close the gap on a strong breakaway group in Sunday afternoon's road stage.  This was after race leader Adam Armstrong (Northern CC) was caught stranded in the chasing group.  It was John who assisted him to close the gap plus moving himself back up to 11th place on GC after three stages were completed.
However the best from John was still to come!  It was in the later part of the Monday's final 4th stage a 48-mile road race that John broke clear of the field along with Allister MacSorley (Apollo CC).  The pair worked well together opening up a lead of over a minute.  The big chasing bunch were in 'full steam ahead mode' in the closing miles.  MacSorley could not keep pace with John and was caught.  John powered on strongly by himself and just managed to hold the bunch off for a superb stage win and 10th place overall on GC.  It was a superb performance from a man who had been laid off the bike for over two years after lower back surgery.  John's team mates Johathan Kyle and Gary Johnston enjoyed the event also, even though they finished at the lower end of the GC table.  For Gary this was his first ever stage race plus he has only just started to race in open races this year and is making good progress.  Jonathan has been up there with the best of them in the past and after a lay off is only starting to get in some racing now at the end of the season.  It's all looking good for next season when Team Madigan should have Gary McKeegan back to fitness and the support of Chris Roper a good squad of riders should be ready to challenge in open races next year.  
 
Final Overall General Classification:

1 Peter Hawkins (Usher Irish RC) 05:46:07
2 David Mulholland (Apollo CC) 05:46:25
3 Adam Armstrong (Northern - Dave Kane CC) 05:46:36
4 Daire O'Sullivan (Newbridge CC) 05:46:39
5 Tommy Wilson Ballymena RC 05:46:45
6 Conor Lavery (Apollo CC) 05:47:25
7 Barry Mullin (Phoenix CC) 05:47:28
8 Matthew Ward (Usher Irish RC) 05:47:46
9 Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) 05:47:50
10 Neill John (Team Madigan) 05:48:07


Points: Adam Armstrong Northern - Dave Kane
Veteran: Peter McConville Newry
Junior: Alaister Fiddes (Orchard Wheelers)
Team: Apollo