Kells and Armoy have joined forces to launch Ireland’s first ever Cross – Border Championship. The first round of the Championship will take place on the 17th & 18th July at Kells and then on the 6th/7th August at Armoy.

The Heritage Town of Kells is famous for the Book of Kells and the Cross of Kells but to Race Fans it is well known for the annual Road Races. Armoy of course is where it all began with the “Armoy Armada”, Joey, Mervyn & Frank.

Both clubs have worked extremely hard to attract the best Road Racers to each event and at round one in Kells we look forward to seeing Cameron Donald, Keith Amor, Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald, Michael Dunlop, John Walsh, Michael Pearson, Damien Mulleady, Paul Robinson to name but a few.

The Southern Launch at Farmleigh was hosted by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey TD and was attended by Meath TDs Mr. Thomas Byrne, Johnny Brady and Damien English and officials from both Kells & Armoy Clubs, local councillors and executives from both Kells Town Council and Moyle District Council and officials from MCUI U/C and MCUI S/C.

Lending his support to this new cross – border initiative Minister Dempsey said: “ I wish the initiative every success. The racing Championship and sporting events will further develop a strong, sustainable and genuine cross-border and cross-community partnership between the people of Counties Meath and Antrim. I would like to congratulate Aileen Ferguson and her colleagues for all the great work they put in to making the event such a triumph every year.”.

Northern Ireland Minister for Sport, Nelson McCausland sent his good wishes and said “Road racing is part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and the launch of this championship brings an exciting new concept for motorsport fans here in Northern Ireland and our neighbours in the Irish Republic. Through the Armoy/Kells collaboration, both clubs have benefited from increased promotion of their events. I with the organisers every success in making the championship a major fixture in our local sporting calendar and hope the riders enjoy both events and return safely to the finish line”.

This new championship has attracted the backing of the title sponsors of each event namely Adelaide Insurance (Kells) and Coleraine Skip Hire and Recycling (Armoy).

Sam Geddis, Director of Adelaide Insurance Services in Belfast who specialise in motorcycle insurance said “ Motorcycling is a sport that genuinely has no boundaries throughout Ireland and we’re delighted to increase Adelaide Insurance Services’ involvement in yet another cross border initiative”.

Packie Laverty MD of Coleraine Skip Hire said “We were very pleased to fund last year’s inaugural and historic Armoy Road Race. Living in the locality getting involved in this year’s Race of Legends meant a lot to me personally and I’m delighted to further the partnership with the Armoy Club by backing this new venture”.

Aileen Ferguson, Race Sec. for Kells MCRC welcomed everyone to Farmleigh and said how proud her club was to be part of this initiative.

Motorcycling has always brought people on this island together with their love of the sport and with the involvement of the children playing soccer, rugby and adults playing hurling matches on the lead up to both events this is forging even stronger links with both communities. Links have of course been forged with Antrim through the Adelaide Kells to Kells Rideout which takes place every year from Kells in Antrim to the Fairgreen , Kells in Meath. At both locations there will be fun filled entertainment provided for visitors on Friday 16th, & Sat 17th July. The Rideout departs Kells, Antrim at 2pm, Sat 17th and arrives at the Fairgreen at 5pm.

We wish all competitors well at Kells & Armoy and would like to thank Adelaide and Coleraine Skip Hire for supporting this championship financially which means that the riders in the 401-750cc, 600cc and Open races stand to make extra prize money overall . Points will be awarded from 1st to 12th place. The combined points total from Kells and Armoy will generate an overall winner who will be presented with a unique Cross-Border Championship Trophy and a cash bonus of £700.

Bill Kennedy who is the Clerk of the Course for Armoy and newly elected Mayor of Ballymoney said “The Armoy Clubs is delighted to team up with Kells to help promote a quality line-up of riders at both events creating a more exciting event for both competitors and spectators alike. Fans will have to wait until 7th August to see who our first ever winner on the podium and I anticipate a very interesting and challenging championship.

I’d like to thank Sports Minister Nelson McCausland and his department for all their help and of course Ian Paisley Jnr whose support and enthusiasm for road racing has been hugely invaluable.

I’d also like to thank Lester & Aileen for all their hard work in putting together the “first ever” in road racing and of course all the hard working volunteers in both Clubs.

Both clubs are actively promoting road safety with their respective councils and at Farmleigh launched their Road Safety Initiative with the help of the Scouts from Kells. The message to fans travelling to Kells in July and Armoy in August “Please Heed Your Speed”. Mr. Michael Finnegan, Road Safety Officer from Meath County Council said that they were very pleased to be associated with Kells MCRC in promoting this Road Safety Initiative.

Mr. Kevin Kidney, Failte Ireland, spoke on how important the races were for Tourism in Antrim & Meath , they generate much needed revenue.

Both clubs would like to thank the M.C.U.I for their support and all their sponsors who give much needed financial aid. A big thank you to all the volunteers at both events, the Medical Teams , other clubs, without whose support we could not continue to run.