After having competed with distinction with the top French club ACBB for two seasons Paul returned home and devoted his energies to fishing, shooting and golf. Then in 1970 he made a comeback that produced an unprecedented double of the National Championship Road Race and The Tour of Ireland within the space of a couple of weeks. However in typically single minded fashion and having achieved his objective he retired again.

Tragically he was drowned in a boating accident while duck shooting on the Shannon on January 9th 1988 at only 45 years of age and is buried in Kilmacanogue beside his father Shay and Shays son Pascal.

TUESDAY, 19th April, the Phoenix 'Park Gallop', brought a big number of riders out to participate in the 30 mile race run over 15 laps of the 2 mile circuit.

However, only two Bray riders took part in the event, Declan Murphy setting off with the first group of roughly forty riders including veterans, juniors and category 'C' riders followed 2 minutes 30 seconds later by a fifty man group of senior 'A' and 'B' riders including Joe O'Callaghan.

Over the closing laps a bunch sprint looked likely as no rider was let away, and both O'Callaghan and Murphy moved closer towards the top of the bunch in an effort to place themselves in a winning position. As the bunch made its way towards the line, both riders slipped back in the field but finished well inside the first half of the sprinting bunch with Orwells Paul Lee winning the event from Fosters John McQuaid.

Saturdays 'Sorrento Grand Prix' a 70 mile race for senior 'A and B' riders only, with Bray's Mark Murphy, Paul Fahy, Brendan O'Callaghan, Joe O'Callaghan and Mick Cahill taking part, through Wicklow and travelling down to Ashford, up the Devils Glen to Laragh and then climbing Glenmacnass, Sally Gap and Luggala twice before finishing at the Sugarloaf had an effect on many of the 48 man field of riders before the event was won by Foster's Gary Thompson.

Bray Wheelers Sunday (24th) promotion in the Phoenix Park for both under 14 and schoolboy riders, unfortunately without a win, showed a fine display from all the Bray riders involved, as they made a mark in one of the first races of this sort, so far this year to by held on the Park. Cathal O'Toole who rode in the under 14 event along with another 15 riders rode strongly to stay in contention over the 6 laps of a 2 mile circuit, and managed to put himself in a position for the final sprint placing him in third place overall. The Schoolboy event was just as exciting, which included Bray's Stephen Salmon and Colm O'Doherty, who rode for three-quarters of an hour followed by 5 laps of a 2 mile circuit. The bunch of some fifty riders stayed together for most of the race until the final lap when Salmon attacked and left his chasing rivals 20 seconds behind. Despite being caught soon after he made a second attempt to clinch a win but was caught once more and had to be content with finising in the bunch along with Doherty who also rode well throughout the day to finish the race.

The Stamullen Grand Prix, promoted by St. Patrick's C.C., involving 3 laps of a 21 mile circuit followed by 4 laps of a 7 mile circuit for A and B riders including Sean Gilmore, Joe O'Callaghan, Mark Murphy, Herbi Monks and Paul Fahy, saw a big withdrawal of riders including O'Callaghan (on the 3rd lap of the second circuit), Gilmore (on the first lap of the 2nd circuit); and Monk due to mechanical problems. Only Fahy and Murphy succeeded in finishing the 99 mile event, Fahy involving himself in the sprint for the line but failing to take a major placing.

Arklow C.C.'s "Open" promotion held in Arklow over the Bank Holiday weekend brought the best of the action from Bray Wheelers under-16 and under-14 riders this season.

The race run over a circuit which began in Arklow, proceeded to Gorey, where it turned around and travelled back to Arklow, a total distance of 20 miles, consisted of one lap for the u-14, and two laps for the u-16 competitors.

The u-14 event, consisting of some 15 riders including Bray's Cahil O'Toole, was by far the most exciting of the two events. O'Toole, who rode strongly over the course, sat firmly at the top of the bunch as they began to cover the final miles of the circuit.

As the bunch approached the finishing straight he struck and began the bunch sprint. road to the other he held off his Switching from one side of the rivals to the line and earned himself an excellent first place, providing another Bray win, and adding to his spell of good performances this season.
The second event for u-16 riders included Bray' Colm O'Doherty, Stephen Salmon and Alan Corlett.

The three riders rode hard to stay in contention over the final lap of the circuit as continuous attempted breakaways failed to stay away from the chasing bunch of 40 riders.

With such good performances from both u-16 and u-14 riders last weekend and so far this season, we can expect to see a possible repeat of their good performances as they partake in forthcoming events throughout the country this coming month.

Last Thursday's "Inter-club Mass Start Championships". which included some fifty to sixty riders, over a 42 mile course was won by Bray's Mick Cahill, after he chased and caught rider after rider over the course with the aid of the other Bray riders. The event ended with Bray Wheelers taking the top three places.

1, Mick Cahill; 2, Paul Fahy: John Dunne.

PAUL FAHY having succeeded in achieving top placings in minor races this year landed the long awaited big one in Dublin's Phoenix Park last Thursday.
The St. Loman's Hospital Benefit Race, sponsored by Coca Cola, involving 15 laps of a 2 mile circuit, had a field of 98 competitors. He got home first in a bunch sprint from Les Jeunes' P. Callaly after a highly competitive hours racing.

The Arklow Grand Prix promoted by Arklow Cycling Club provided the action for Bray's U-14, U-16 and Senior riders, and once again it was the U-14 rider, Cathal O'Toole, who provided the most excitement. O'Toole and one other rider got clear of the bunch in a break and O'Toole won the sprint to give the Bray Club it's second big win of the week.

Bray Wheelers ace Paul Madden came second in the All- Ireland time trial championships and in so doing beat the previous Irish record. His time of 54 minutes and 27 seconds is also a new club record. Dermot McGrath of Bray Wheelers won the under 50 years veteran event in a mass start on the Navan Road.

Results from the Eamonn Ceannt track racing event: 1, U. 14, C. O'Toole, U. 16, 1, C. O'Doherty.

Club C.P. schoolboys-1, A. Corbett; 2, C. O'Doherty: 3, C. O'Toole; 4, T. Johnson; 5, P. Flanagan.

Seniors-Juniors: 1, P. Fahy; 2, M. Murphy; 3, S. Gilmore; 4, C. Corbett; 5, D. McGrath; 6, M. Law.
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Inter-club schoolgirls and schoolboys T.T. 1, David Richardson (Sorrento); 2, Alan Corbett Bray 3, John Hudson (Sorrento): 4. Kylie Ryan (Sorrento); 5. Rory Hogarty (Sorrento); 6, Keith Campbell (Hibernia).

A TOP Bray sporting club is planning a free-wheeling year to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 1989.

Already, a packed programme of events is being prepared by the Bray Wheelers Cycling Club, one of the best known such organisations in the country. As part of their plans, the club would like to hear from past and present members who would be interested in helping out.

At the club's 39th annual general meeting, Mr. K. Coates was presented with one of the new club jerseys by Michael Cahill on behalf of the outgoing committee for this work throughout the year. The Committee would also like to thank Jack Gilmore and the Racing Committee for their work in 1988.

The following officers were elected for the coming year at the a.g.m.: Hon. Life President, Joe Loughman; Chairman, Harry Dawson; Treasurer. John Dunne; P.R.O., Michael Cahill; Secretary. Urban Monks. Committee members - Aidan Keogh, Sean Gilmore, Stephen Salmon, Ronnie Coates and John Dillon.

Newcomers are welcome to the regular meetings at the Clubhouse any Thursday from 8 p.m. Club "spins" leave Brennanstown on the Dual- Carriageway every Saturday and Sunday morning at 10 a.m. sharp.

TUESDAY night's Guinness Grand Prix run as part of the Dalkey Festival has a turn-out of almost 55 competitors who competed over the gruelling 1.7 mile circuit.

With Bray's Paul Fahy, Mark Murphy, and Joe O'Callaghan taking part, Murphy was quick to make his presence known, attacking from the line and managing to stay 10 seconds dear before he was recaptured two laps later.

With 1 lap remaining, victory for Julian Dolby looked certain and he hung an, leaving his rivals to fight it out for 2nd place. Murphy, aided by Fahy clearly out sprinting his rivals to take 2nd place followed by McLynikey who pipped Fahy for 3rd place.

Result: 1, Julian Dalby (James Connolly C.C.) 2, Mark Murphy (Bray Wheelers, C.C.) at 20 secs.; 8, Mark McLynskey (Telecom Eireann); 4 Paul Fahy (Bray Wheelers); 5, P. Tufts (Dane); 6, S. Mackey (IrC.).

Following the Dalkey GP, Wednesday night's Coca Cola Grand Prix had a small turnout of 20 riders including a large Bray Wheelers contingent. By lap four a break of 5 had developed including Paul Fahy, Mark Murphy, Phil Cassidy, Brendan O'Callaghan and Gary Thomson.

32 minutes into the race Thompson attacked and stayed away until the finish winning by a 27 sec. margin and making amends for his unlucky performance in Dalkey.

With the remainder of the break caught by the bunch the sprint for began. Led out by Murphy once again on his rivals to take a 2nd place with Fahy taking 3rd.

Results : Gary Thomson (Emerald Fosters Lager); 2, Mark Murphy (Bray Wheelers) at 23 secs.; 9, Paul Fahy (Bray Wheelers); 4, Brendan O'Callaghan (Telecom Eireann); 5, Phil Casiddy.

WHEN local charity Open Door asked Kilmac man Paddy Martin to help them raise some funds, they got quite a reaction.

A chain reaction in fact when Paddy last year agreed to cycle to Belfast and back on a very successful Maracycle.

For not only did Paddy himself turn up he also brought along his son Tony (25) and his daughter Gillian (21)

Now the Martin family presence in this annual will be even stronger this year when Paddy, Tony and Gillian will be joined by David (18) the youngest in what is a veritable cycling clan.

Paddy is of course a veteran member of Bray Wheelers so its hardly surprising that his enthusiasm with the sport has gone through to his children. 

Starting out from Santry on the 24th June next at 8am, the Martins will be taking on the gruelling 212 mile trip to Belfast.

And while Mrs. Tess Martin may not be there with the rest of the family her support and encouragement both before and after the event will play an important part in willing her husband and children on!