On the road, Roche, Martin and Deignan are undoubtedly the strongest riders here. However, with the small field, there's a good chance a break will get away. Vespa with 5 riders must be in with a decent percentage chance of winning if that does happen.
The two main favorites are Paul Healion and David O'Loughlin. Eurosport man Healion is the first of the two to go and has the fastest time through the checks.
That is until O'Loughlin takes to the course. He's comfortably ahead at each of the two checks on the road, and comes through at the finish a comfortable leader, and eventual winner.
Good result from the Ernst and Young man - he'll have a special jersey to show off next year. Healion is further off the pace than he'd have liked, and Gallagher maybe hopes that his podium might earn him a ride with someone next year.
It's a course designed it would seem by the Irish cycling authorities to favor their two favorite sons, Martin and Roche, and most of the riders in this race I'm sure will be happy to simply survive a day such as this.
There are attacks early on but on the up and down course none actually manage to stick. Instead what we have with just over a 100k to go is Dan Martin riding tempo on the front and the field gradually spreading out behind him.
20k further on and it looks as if Eurosport and 100% ME have agreed amongst themselves to let Martin and Deignan ride away off the front. There are no attacks, Healion and Roche just look at each other. Vespa man Ciaran Cassidy doesn't have the class to hold the wheels and just like that Martin and Deignan begin to open up a gap.
50k to go, Martin and Deignan have carved out a lead of 5 minutes on the Roche/Healion/Cassidy three. One of the lead pair will surely now be the winner. Deignan is a useful rider, but will need a miracle to come out on top against a rider of Martin's class.
30k to go and as the last spell of serious climbing begins, Dan Martin's superior ability begins to show. Deignan is struggling to hold the wheel.
Behind Nicholas Roche finally decides to attack the chasing trio. It's easy for him to get away. Healion can't hold his wheel, and Cassidy in turn cannot hold Healion's wheel and blows up completely.
It's all completely academic now though, as up front no one can catch Dan Martin and he has plenty of time to celebrate capturing the Irish Championship.
