THE longest month of the year, dry January, the month of broken resolutions… whatever you call it, the first part of 2025 is over!
Never to return, but January will go in the history books because of storm Éowyn… I hope you all have your electric back by the time you’re reading this!
One of the images that struck me from the aftermath was that of the roof blown off Aurora Leisure Centre in Bangor. The swimming pool, where our Olympians and Paralympians train, has not opened yet at the time of writing, due to the extensive damage. Thankfully the council confirmed the pool and gym were largely unaffected by the damage so hopefully we’ll see it open again very soon.
But it’s a good job the Olympics aren’t for another three years or this would feel like Covid times all over again for the likes of Danielle Hill.
There was also history made in the sporting world in January. For the first time, Errigal Ciarán became the first club team from Tyrone to reach the All Ireland final.
And although they lost to their Dublin opponents, Cuala, their second half fightback was sensational; they came from 13 points behind to within three points but eventually lost by four.
The Canavan brothers, Darragh and Ruairi, proved they are a chip off the old block en route to the final and, although they didn’t lift the silverware in Croke Park that day, I have no doubt they will be adding to their dad Peter’s trophy cabinet again soon.
There was also a first at the opening glitzy sports awards of the year, the Adelaide Irish Motorbike Awards. For the first time, the awards featured the Female Trailblazer accolade.
There have been female winners before over the years but it was encouraging to see Nicole Lynch pave the way for many more females to follow by collecting the award for the first time.
Pippa Laverty, wife of former World Superbike star Eugene, joined the judging panel this year to help select the nominees. The shortlist had a wide range of talented females including seven-year-old Macy Edgar who is the reigning Ulster and Irish Quad champion.
The star studded night was a huge success with the whole room celebrating Michael Dunlop as he deservedly lifted the main prize, the Joey Dunlop trophy, named after his legendary uncle, as he was crowned Irish Motorcyclist of the Year.
I was carrying out interviews for UTV on the night and Michael kindly gave of his time to talk about achieving his life goal in 2024 by breaking his uncle Joey’s record at the Isle of Man TT. Joey’s record of 26 victories stood for 24 years until Michael equalled it and went on the clock win number 29 last summer.
“To achieve my life long dream was so special,” Michael told me. Michael’s outpouring of relief was clear to see from the tears he shed just after equalling Joey’s record. When I asked him how emotional it was for him, he admitted it was a huge relief.
“My biggest thing was to break Joey’s record but also to keep the Dunlop name at the highest point of the sport. Obviously with everything we’ve been through as a family I’ve always tried to keep the name going, you’re carrying that and I’m the only one left to do that,” he said very openly and honestly.
“That relief of being able to do that and to keep adding to the Dunlop victory count… it’s around 60 wins now around the TT between Joey, my dad and myself, I just want to keep adding to it because it’s a privilege to be a Dunlop and an honour for me to keep adding to the total.”
With that in mind Michael has more wins in sight. He’s achieved his lifetime goal yes, but he’s not finished yet. “I’m as competitive now than I ever was and I think I’m actually faster now than I ever was so I’ll hopefully have a good start in testing and then prepare for the North West 200 in May and the TT in June,” he told me.
Before that, Michael has confirmed he’ll compete at the World Endurance Championship on board a BMW M1000RR for Team LRP Poland. He’ll ride in the Superbike class and will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours event from April 17-20.
The North West 200 will have a different feel without Glenn Irwin competing this year. The popular rider set a new record of 11 Superbike wins in a row on the north coast last year but has opted to concentrate solely on winning the British Superbike Championship this season after second and third placed finishes over the past two years.
So January is over, we go from the longest to the shortest month, the saddest to one with a whole day dedicated to love. And while we’re being positive, here are a few of my favourite things for February…
Six Nations rugby returns, Spring is just around the corner, daylight is getting longer and the golf season is almost back!
With Bike Awards guests Sarah McAlorum and Laura Magee
With top racer Glenn Irwin and partner Laura
With bike awards judge, Pippa Laverty
Main man Michael Dunlop with The Joey Dunlop trophy
