O’Loughlin comes south as favourite

DAVID O’LOUGHLIN travels south this weekend when he will be favourite to win the 21st edition of the Gene Moriarty Cup cycle race in Listowel on Sunday (1pm) and will again figure in the Crotty Cup, promoted by West Clare Cycling Club, in Kilrush on Monday (12.30pm).

“I have been to Kilrush before, but it will be my first time to ride in Listowel and I am looking forward to it,” explained the Mayo man who is enjoying an extended stretch at home.

But that will come to an end next week when he heads to Belgium with the national team, returning to international duty for the first time since finishing 25th in the world B championships in Aigle where he was a key player in Ireland’s bid for two places in next year’s Olympic road race.