Conn McDunphy wins a very tight two-up sprint from Liam Crowley in the Des Hanlon Memorial (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Conn McDunphy (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery) has added his name to the Des Hanlon Memorial trophy, as winner of the 2026 edition, after he claimed the main event in Co Carlow today.
At the end of 130km of racing, with the riders battered by wind and rain, McDunphy came to the line with one of the in-f0rm men of the domestic campaign so far, Liam Crowley (Pinergy Orwell).
However, after he led out the sprint, and looked like he might win it, Crowley was tied up a little just before the line. McDunphy came off his wheel and maintained his effort all the way to the line, pipping his rival by no more than an inch or two.
Less than 10 seconds later, Jack Conroy (Velo Performance) took 3rd place, just ahead of Callum McCaffrey (Natural-Greatness-Rali-Ale), who was closing fast but couldn’t beat Conroy.
In the women’s race, a similar scenario played out, with two top riders coming to the line to fight it out for victory, though with a much bigger gap back to those racing for the final step on the podium.
Abi Conway (Paralloy RT) was clear with Linda Kelly (Dan Morrissey Pissei) and the Co Mayo woman had too much for her rival, taking the win from Kelly by a couple of lengths.
Kelly’s team mate, and national criterium champion, Aine Doherty was best in the battle for 3rd place.
Sun, March 29th | Des Hanlon Memorial
Promoted by Carlow Road Cycling Club
Co Carlow
C1 Race
Conn Mc Dunphy APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery
Liam Crowley Orwell Wheelers
Jack Conroy Velo Performance Racing Team
Callum McCaffrey Natural-Greatness-Rali-Ale
Josh Callaly Velo Performance Racing Team
Gareth O Neill Athlete Nutrition Coach Nordic Labs
Matteo Cigala Dan Morrissey Pissei
Conal Scully Dan Morrissey Pissei
Daniel Stone Roadman Cycling Club
James McKenny Velo Revolution-Speed Queen
Women’s Race
Abi Conway Paralloy RT
Linda Kelly Dan Morrissey Pissei
Aine Doherty Dan Morrissey Pissei
Elena Wallace Harps CC
Claire Diffley Orwell Wheelers
Mia Smith Brother UK-Team OnForm
Yvonne Doran Orwell Wheelers
Jennifer Caverly Dublin Bay Cycling Club
Ysabella Huele Rudyco Cycling Team Vzw
Niamh O Brien Barrow Wheelers
C2Race
Tom Hughes Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial
Conor Regan Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial
James Logue Carrick Wheelers
Oliver O Shaughnessy Dan Morrissey Pissei
James Griffin Waterford Racing Club
Dermot Radford Dan Morrissey Pissei
Niall Browne Drogheda Wheelers
Matthew Lane Orwell Wheelers
Caoilin Considine Bray Wheelers
Neill Delahaye Bellurgan Wheelers
C3 Race
Craig Brookes Comeragh CC
Daithi Killeen Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial
Kyle Minford Naas Cycling Club
Kieran Keegan Orwell Wheelers
Mark Rowe Dungarvan CC
David Donovan Upperchurch Drombane Cycling
Seamus Babington Carrick Wheelers
Dillon Lynch Kildorrery Cycling Club
Bob Maye Clonard RC
Fearghal Regan Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial