The Dungannon-based team did not intend to race at the Irish National meeting so soon after the Isle of Man TT, but team boss John Burrows granted Sheils the use of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike for the event, which the Dublin rider ran alongside his own 600cc Yamaha.

After claiming pole position, Derek eased to a comfortable victory in the Open race on Sunday by more than six seconds from Michael Sweeney. His margin of victory was even greater in the Grand Final, with Sheils coming home almost 15 seconds clear of Paul Jordan after Sweeney was ruled out in the early stages with an issue.

Derek unfortunately suffered an engine problem with his 600cc Yamaha as he was battling for the lead in the Supersport race with eventual winner Jordan, although he still earned the ‘Man of the Meeting’ award for his performances on the day.

Team Principal – John Burrows: “It wasn’t in the plan to do Kells but I told Derek the bike was there for him if he wanted it. He made a late decision on Thursday evening that he would go ahead so we got the Suzuki GSX-R1000 sorted for him and obviously he has done the business. It’s good for the team and it’s a bit of a confidence boost as well for Derek. A few weekends like that will certainly do no harm leading up to the Ulster Grand Prix.

“Tom Weeden wasn’t in action at Kells but likewise with Derek, the bikes are there for Tom if he wishes to compete in any races that are outside of the team’s event programme for 2019. The next meeting we have committed to as a team is the Skerries 100 in July, but the bikes are there if Derek or Tom decide to race at Enniskillen at the end of June.”

Derek Sheils: “It was a late decision to go to Kells but it turned out well for us. I had a good run on the big Suzuki and I was just able to set off at the front in both races and set my own pace. The bike was basically the same as it was from the Senior TT, with a couple of small changes. It sounds funny to say it with half the season gone, but we’re learning with the Suzuki all the time. It’s a new bike this year and we haven’t had much mileage on it. The North West 200 was wet and we lost out on a lot of time at the TT due to the weather, so we’re still working to find our best dry set-up.

“It was a pity about the 600 because I felt I had the pace to win my first Supersport race. I and Paul were having a ding-dong and then the motor let go. There’s a not a lot of mileage on the engine, certainly nowhere near its limit, so maybe a valve or something let go, but it’s definitely something internal. It was unfortunate but what do you do.”