Michael and William Dunlop stole the show at the 70th Anniversary AXA Bikecare Skerries in north Dublin as adverse weather led to the cancellation of the feature Grand Final.

Thirteen-time Isle of Man TT winner Dunlop made the most of the dry weather earlier in the day as he swooped late on his MD Racing BMW to snatch the lead in the Open Superbike event from Derek Sheils, who led for much of the race on the Cookstown B.E. Racing Suzuki.

Dunlop made his move on the final lap and crossed the line with half-a-second to spare over Sheils, with William Dunlop completing the top three on the MMB Yamaha R1 at the 2.9-mile course in north Dublin. Race winner Dunlop also clocked a new lap record on his third lap at 110.817mph.

Meath’s Alan Bonner, Skerries man Michael Sweeney and Derek McGee from Mullingar rounded out the top six.

William Dunlop (IC Yamaha R6) triumphed yet again in the Supersport class but the injured Ballymoney rider was made to work hard for the win by McGee, with only three-tenths-of-a-second between them at the finish.

Dunlop made a late decision to compete at Skerries as the 30-year-old recovers from back and hand injuries he sustained in a crash during practice at the TT. Michael completed the top three on his MD Racing Yamaha at sponsor Gary Ryan’s home circuit.

Sweeney won the Supertwins race by less than one second from Sheils, with Magherafelt’s Paul Jordan a long way back in third. Fermanagh’s Paul Gartland – back in action after a crash at the North West 200 in May – finished sixth.

Adam McLean and Davy Morgan were the respective winners of the 125cc and 250cc races.

The Grand Final was called off late in the afternoon as heavy rain left standing water on the circuit.

Walderstown in Athlone hosts the next Irish National meeting from July 9-10

Kyle White