Great day for a hill climb

by Martin · October 3, 2026

On Saturday 3 October 2026 Dromara Cycling Club hosted the National Hill Climb Championships on their Dree Hill – Slieve Croob route. This was the 10th year the club has run this hill climb and we were honoured to have the opportunity to host the national championships for the first time.

Over 70 riders had registered from across the island of Ireland to take on the 5 km route. Starting from the Peter Morgan cottage at the end of Dree Hill, the riders set off in one minute intervals up Dree Hill before turning into the Slieve Croob car park. From there the riders then made their way up the mountain road to the summit. This year included chip timing suppled by racetimingireland.com. The weather was pleasant all day, cool at the top of the hill but the riders were able to enjoy the panoramic views while catching their breath.

Once finished the riders returned to the cottage for tea/coffee, biscuits and cakes.

In the non-championship support races, Aoife Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) and Ignas Valliauga (Un-attached Leinster) were the Under 16s entries. Neil Crompton (Dromara Cycling Club) took the win in the adult category with Kealan Naughton and Adam Naughton taking second and third respectively.

In the M60s category, Eamon Byrd (Un-attached Leinster) defended his title from 2025. Shaun Kelly (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) was second with John Madden (Inspired Cycling) third. Alan Watson (Dromara Cycling Club) just missed out on the podium.

Dermot Radford (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) also retained his title from 2025 in the M50s category. Neil McKenna (AHC Racing) was second with Tomas McCabe (Moynalty Cycling Club) third and Peter Morrison (Velo Cafe Magasin) fourth.

It was yet another title retention this time in the M40s race with Stuart McCaughey (Phoenix CC) back on the top step of the M40s category. Tristan Druet (Un-attached Leinster) was second with Sean McIntyre (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) third.

In the women’s race, Eimear Nicholls (Inspired Cycling) took the win in a time of 18:29. 2025 winner Caoimhe May (Team WORC) was second, Elena Wallace (Harps CC) was third. Niamh O’Dwyer was second in 2025 but had to settle for fourth this year. Junior rider Holly McCaffrey (Longcourt Hotel – NCW Wheelers) was fifth.

In the Open race, Matthew Walls (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery) was fastest on the day in a time of 14:13. Second was Callum McCaffrey (Natural-Greatness-Rali-Ale). Fastest rider up Slieve Croob in 2024 and 2025 was Gareth O’Neill (Athlete Nutrition Coach Nordic Labs) but he had to settle for third place this year. Junior rider Tom Hughes (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) was fourth. Darnell Moore (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) was the fastest rider up Slieve Croob in 2017 and 2018 and his times still stand as the ones to beat (13:37 and 13:55). Darnell finished fifth today.

Eimear Nicholls and Matthew Walls were photographed with the Slieve Croob Hill Climb trophy.

Thanks to all the club volunteers for hosting the event, to the Cycling Ireland staff, commissaires, the landowner for the use of the hill, the management of Peter Morgan’s cottage, the James King pub, the photographers and spectators and everyone else who helps make this a great day.