Shaw takes national cycling championship in some style

As Westmeath's senior footballers - ladies and gents - reached their respective Leinster senior football finals, Mullingar cyclist Damien Shaw completed a fantastic weekend for the county by winning the National Cycling Road Race Championship in Omagh on Sunday.

Shaw, a part-time competitor, fended off opposition from some of Ireland's premier professional cyclists, finishing at the head of 104 riders, including Matt Brammeier, Martyn Irvine and defending champion Ryan Mullen.

Lakeside Wheelers alumnus Shaw, a fireman by trade, had a minute to spare over teenager Eddie Dunbar, as he romped home in the Team Asea colours.

The former Paralympian, who recently claimed the National Criterium Cycling Championship in Mullingar, was welcomed back to Mullingar by a large crowd gathered at Mullingar pub Canton Casey's tonight, as revellers celebrated both cycling and GAA successes.