Breaking the chain

Rás Mumhan abanonded to prevent spread of Covid-19

THE roads in Kerry and West Limerick will be eerily quiet this Easter weekend as the colour, excitement and carnival atmospheres associated with Ras Mumhan, one of Ireland’s premier cycling events, will be sadly missing for the first time in 22 years.

On March 13 the organisers of the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, Killorglin Cycling Club, decided to cancel the race in line with good practice and the problems associated with the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The race organising committee of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan 2020 are disappointed to announce that the 2020 race will not proceed as scheduled from April 10 to 13. The decision is prompted by an abundance of caution to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 illness,” said Tadhg Moriarty, Press Officer for Ras Mumhan. “The decision was not taken lightly, but due to uncertainty surrounding the length of time that the current sanitary guidelines in relation to COVID-19 will be in operation it was deemed necessary to bring certainty to our affairs. The race organisers are cognisant of the fact that stage racing is an expensive proposition for teams and riders. The race organisers hope that by giving this early notice that teams and riders will be able to cancel any already booked travel and accommodation without penalty. The race organisers will consult with Cycling Ireland to examine the possibility of hosting the race at a later stage during the 2020 season.”

The race which attracts more than 180 cyclists and up to 40 teams, takes place over the Easter weekend with Killorglin as its base. While Killorglin Cycling Club, which is celebrating 125 years in cycling, hosts the event it is run by Cycling Munster and over the four days passes through some of the most stunning scenery in Kerry. From the cyclists’ point of view, the superb route has some of the most demanding and scenic terrains in Ireland. The event has been based successfully in Killorglin since 1998, having been originally run in the 1950s.

“The race has traditionally attracted the cream of Irish amateur cyclists. Over recent years the event has attracted cyclists from England, Scotland and Holland. This has added immensely to the competitive nature and the profile of the race. Ras Mumhan is organised thanks to a massive volunteer effort which results in more than 200 people on duty each day. It is a major community event and in addition to our dedicated volunteers many community groups in the towns through which the races passes also assist us in ensuring safety and comfort for the spectators,” said Mary Concannon, Race Secretary.

Apart from the sporting nature of the event, the race also injects a major financial boom to the region at the start of the tourism season. More than 1,300 bed nights are occupied over the weekend with cash injections to other business operators in the region including shops, restaurants and filling stations.

“One key element is the continued sponsorship of this prestigious International Cycle race by Kerry Group. It is through their commitment that the reputation of the race at home and abroad continues to grow. The cooperating of home owners along the route has also been phenomenal and we offer our sincere thanks to them for their invaluable assistance,” Ms Concannon added.

The Kerry Group Rás Mumhan was due to take place over the four days of Easter weekend, starting this Friday and finishing on the Bank Holiday Monday. The 500km route, including 26 categorised climbs, was to start Good Friday with a 100km stage from Killorglin. Cyclists would pass through Killarney, Kilcummin, Scartaglin, Castleisland, Currans, Ballyfinnane, Firies, Castlemaine, Milltown to the finish in Killorglin.

On Easter Saturday the peloton was to start in Listowel and after a 130 km route through Ballylongford, Tarbert, Glin, and three laps of a route around Athea would finish in the West Limerick village.

Stage 3 on Easter Sunday would have taken the riders to the start line in Waterville and then on a scenic route once described by Irish Cycling legend Phillip Cassidy as “the finest road racing stage in Ireland”. The route features Waterville, Ballinskelligs, Valentia, Cahirsiveen, Dromid, Portmagee, Coom An Easpaigh, The Glen and the finish in Waterville.

The final stage on Monday was to start and finish in Killorglin covering a 25km loop through Beaufort on three occasions followed by 10 laps of the town circuit to add a further 40 km, a total distance of 115km.

Some of the previous winners of Ras Mumhan features the top names in Irish cycling. Among the unique group of Kerry riders to win were Listowel native and Ras Tailteann hero Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways Meath) 2001, Tralee cyclist Sean Lacey (The Edge Cork) 2011, Sean McKenna (Team Ireland) 2015. Sean’s grandfather came from Annascaul.

Ras Mumhan in the early years, which was mostly organised in Cork, was first run off in 1957. Kerry winners in those decades included Gene Mangan (Killorglin) 1958, John Mangan (Killorglin) 1975 and Beaufort native Mike Breen (Killorglin) 1978.

The hard working and highly efficient and professional Kerry Group Rás Mumhan Race officials for 2019 event included Tadhg Moriarty (Race Director); Kieran Doherty (Event Organiser); Mary Concannon (Race Secretary); Michéal Concannon (Technical Director); Rory McGillycuddy (Commercial Director); Tadhg Moriarty (Press Officer); John Breen (Commissaire President); Brian Jordan and Roddy Keane (Commissaires); Tom Sheehy and Tom Gentleman (Moto-commissaire); Garry Nugent (Judge/Time Keeper); Rory McGillycuddy (KOM Judge); Michéal Concannon (Photo finish); Daan Brand (Results Generation); Ted Crowley (PA announcer); Dan Aherne (Safety Officer); Rory McGillycuddy (Stage Start); Kieran Doherty (Stage End); First Aid/Ambulance, Irish Red Cross, Cara Ambulance Service; Sean McIlroy, Anthony Carolan and Gene O’Shea (Commissare Drivers); John Mangan, Donal Clifford, Alan Ryan and Eoin Ryan (Lead Cars); Peter Clendennan and Brendan Cassidy (Neutral Service), Gary McIlroy/ Henry Whitston (Blackboard); John Galvin, Stephen Whelan, Gerry Barry, Ken Counihan, Gerry Christie, Eoin O’Connor, Ciaran McKenna and Larry Clare (Moto Marshalls); Mary Concannon, Sinead O’Shea and Caitriona O’Shea (Sign-on); Oliver McKenna (Radios), Micheal Concannon and Micheal O’Shea (Signage), William Roche (Broom), Fiona Cooke (Twitter).