Date: April 25, 05

  Western Lakes cyclist Martin Munroe (17)scored a major international success at the weekend when he came second in the Junior Tour of Paco in Marseilles, France.

  Riding for the Irish team, Munroe put his stamp on the race when he won the Time Trial on Sunday.

  He eclipsed his Irish team-mate Maurice O’Brien (Kanturk) in the Time Trial. On Saturday, Martin finished in the main bunch in the 120km road race.

  On Sunday, he was 12th in the 80km road race, which featured three gruelling 10km climbs.

  The Irish team – managed by Western Lakes man Padraig Marrey – won the team prize in the Time Trial, an outstanding achievement in a field that contained teams from France, Italy, and Belgium.

  The race was organised by the Societe Tour deFrance, who also organise the Tour deFrance.

  Another Western Lakes rider, 15 year-old William Connolly was also competing abroad over the weekend.

  He spent three days at the Sean Kelly Academy in Belgium, the new coaching centre set up by Cycling Ireland. He was part of a Connacht squad that also included Covey Wheelers riders Damien Gavin and Keith Rowley.

  While there, they rode two races, and William finished 30th and 16th in the two races. Damien and Keith also acquitted themselves well. The team was managed by Western Lakes member John O’Halloran, who is actively involved in coaching at Connacht level.