Ras Mumhan to visit Duhallow on Easter Sunday

THE elite of Irish cycling compete in the Dornan Ras Mumhan with a return to Duhallow terrain on Easter Sunday, a testing 115km circuit culminates on a finish at the Kerryman’s Table close to Mushera near Millstreet.

Rás Mumhan is one of the premier cycling events in Ireland, run by Cycling Munster, the Race passes through some of the most stunning scenery in Kerry’s Ring of Kerry and North West Cork .

From a cyclists perspective, demanding tarmac will be encountered with the addition of a summit finish at the Kerryman’s Table on Stage 3 viewed as a possible defining outcome of the top contenders.

Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club are helping to co-ordinate Easter Sunday’s action, participants convening in the Green Glens Complex in Millstreet for a take off at 10.55am, heading towards Rathmore (11.1311.17am), Top of Cullen (11.2311.30am), Derrinagree Junction (11.31-11.40am), Newmarket (11.46-11.59am), Ballydesmond (12.10-12.30pm), Knocknagree (12.20-12.42pm), Rathmore/Shinnagh Cross (12.26-12.50pm), Ballydaly (12.34-1.01pm), Top Of Bellagh (12.38-1.07pm), Kilmeedy Castle (12.43-1.12pm), Liscahane Road, Millstreet (12.451.15pm), Millstreet Country Park (12.55-1.33pm), Kilcorney (1.021.46pm), Moll Carthy’s Bridge (1.05-1.51pm), Tullig Cross, Millstreet (1.15-2.04pm), Kerryman’s Table (1.25-2.15pm) and a finish at Mushera (1.28-2.20pm).

Among the competitors this year are previous winners Lindsay Watson and 2022 Ras Tailteann champion Daire Feeley along with Conn McDunphy and Dean Harvey.

The Trinity Racing Squad parade a formidable line up as do the Isle of Man and Foran Construction teams, the latter are a London Irish-based squad, seeking to replicate past successes, winning two stages last year with Thomas Springbett and Dom Jackson.

Elsewhere young Seth Dunwoody adds an exciting dimension to the competition as does Clonakilty’s Liam Crowley riding with UCD. With both senior and U23 squads in contention, the squad will be aiming to make an impact on the race through Milo Donaldson, Euan Buckley and Ben Murphy from Knocknagree representing Sliabh Luachra CC.

The Stage Schedule over the four day Dornan Ras Mumhan is

Stage 1A – Friday, March 29: Currow, Village, TTT First Team off at 12.02pm with stage finish on the Scartaglin road in Castleisland .

Stage 1B – Friday. March 29: An Riocht AC, Castleisland, departure at 3.50pm for ceremonial start through the main street and on to Brosna and five laps of circuits in Knocknagoshel with finish on the village’s Main Street.

Stage 2 – Saturday, March 30: St Oliver’s School, Killarney RollOut at 9.45am down through countess and up Killarney Main Street in Killarney and on to Killorglin via the infamous Bealach Oisin, Cuam a Ciste and finish after a circuit in Sneem Village.

Stage 3 – Sunday, March 31: Green Glens Arena, Millstreet Roll-Out at 10.55am. Taking in the climb of Kilmeedy and Mushera and finishing close to the Kerrymans Table.

Stage 4 – Monday, April 1: Killorglin CYMS Roll-Out at 9.55am through the town of Killorglin onto the Beaufort loop, onto Killorglin circuits with the finish up the hill on Main Street.