Club History 1998/1999

The 1998/99 committee was headed by brothers David (Captain) and Alan Lane (Secretary), with Jason Fallon looking after the Clubs coffers. Brendan Kilbride (Public Relations Officer) remained very much involved in all Club activities, while Oisín Boydell heading the Mountainbiking section. Cormac Ó Dubhthaigh remains as Club President, with brother Maoilíosa again acting as Senior Treasurer. The racing team was made up of David Lane, Alan Lane, Jason Fallon, Oisín Boydell, Noel McGlynn, Brendan Kilbride, Kieran Keane, Dermot O’Dwyer and David McQuaid.

UCDCC, under the guidance of Brendan Kilbride, again hosted the annual Intervarsity Mountain Bike Championships and although UCD failed to get hold of the main prizes, the overall success of the event yet again demonstrated the Club’s superb organization. This year the showpiece event returned to Ballinastoe Wood, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, for what proved a very competitive and exciting day’s racing. Teams from nine colleges, North and South, competed in the race. The circuit, modified considerably from the previous year’s event, was deemed quite challenging with a steep climb, 30 mph desents and 90 degree bends. In the Sports category of the Championship, UCD’s Dermot O’Dwyer, who lead for much of the race, narrowly missed out on the gold medal, instead having to settle for 2^nd place behind Tom Greene from DIT Bolton Street. UCD’s other competitor, Oisín Boydell, finished just outside the medals in fourth place. Brendan was due to compete himself but elected to concentrate on the smooth running of the event instead and he received much praise from all involved for the level of professionalism evident from the event. He was later honoured with the Club Mountainbiking Award for his efforts.

The Waterford IT hosted Intervarsity Road Championships proved to be a day of near misses for UCD. Race organizer, Eddie O’Donoghoe (WIT) won the time trial ahead of John Lally (DIT) and UCD’s David Lane taking the bronze. Although to the fore throughout the road race, by the end, David again had to settle for his second bronze, as he was pipped to the line by O’Donoghue and Thomas Hogan (IT Tralee). Hosts Waterford IT took the team honours ahead of UCD.

David McQuaid again rode with distinction throughout the racing season. Two performances stood out more than most, as he won both the Matt Corcoran Trophy in Naas as well as the Ben McKenna Trophy in Balbriggan. He competed for Ireland in the World and European Championships, placing 46^th in the latter. His involvement with the Irish team also saw him compete in the 5-day Tour of Greece. McQuaid’s two home victories earned him capture the ‘Club Rider of the Year’ award while David Lane won the ‘Club League’ title. Lean Garland secured her second Ladies Achievement Award on the trot.