Enda comes a cropper in Ring of Kerry mist

FORMER Taoiseach Enda Kenny was a high profile casualty during Saturday’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle which was blighted by dismal weather along a 35km stretch if its 180km route.

There was a dense mist at Coomakista on Saturday and as Kenny – who was cycling on behalf of Derrynane Inshore Rescue – approached the rest stop in the mountain pass between Waterville and Caherdaniel he clipped the back wheel of the cyclist ahead of him and was knocked from his bike.

Though his pride may have been dented the former Taoiseach – who has completed the Ring of Kerry cycle on several occasions – wasn’t injured, save for a grazed leg, and he was quickly back on his bike.

The heavy mist and rain made conditions between Waterville and Sneem very difficult in some locations and several cyclists came off their bikes, though thankfully none were seriously hurt.

The most serious accident occurred near Ladies View where an elderly cyclist was thrown over a wall.

The cycle was paused for about 30 minutes as the cyclist was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Kerry.

There was another incident near Blackwater Bridge between Sneem and Kenmare where a mass pile up saw four cyclists injured.

While the poor weather made sections of the cycle more difficult than usual the event’s PRO Cathal Walsh said there had been no serious accidents.

“To my knowledge there wasn’t any major incidents. There might have been the usual minor injuries with people falling off and remounting, but I certainly didn’t get any details of anything major,” he said.

“Somewhere down from Ladies View there was a person taken to hospital alright but I don’t believe their injuries were too serious. The weather was particularly bad around Cahersiveen, Waterville and Sneem, but then it brightened up again after that,” he added.