Rás Mumhan hits the testing Duhallow roads in style

RÁS Mumhan returned to testing Duhallow terrain on Easter Sunday with a 115km circuit of the North West Barony culminating with a finish at Mushera close to the Kerryman’s Table near Millstreet.

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

From a cyclist’s perspective, demanding terrain was encountered, exciting fare with the addition of a summit finish overlooking Duhallow.

Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club helped co-ordinate Sunday’s action, participants convening in the Green Glens Complex in Millstreet for a take off towards Rathmore, Cullen, Derrinagree Junction, Newmarket, Ballydesmond, Knocknagree, Rathmore/Shinnagh Cross, Ballydaly, Top Of Bellagh, Kilmeedy Castle, Millstreet, Millstreet Country Park, Kilcorney, Moll Carthy’s Bridge, Millstreet and a finish at the elevated Mushera.

At the end of a hectic day, Sliabh Luachra CC extended thanks to all involved in contributing to the massive success of the staging.

“We extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all our club members, marshalls and their families, to all the locals for their due care, support and patience. Also many thanks to all the committee members of the Dornan Rás Mumhan, Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club and Munster Cycling Academy for all their hard work and dedication behind the scenes to make Stage 3 in Duhallow a success,” said club PRO Michelle Whelan.

“To all those who helped us capture the event and a massive Congratulations to all the riders taking on a very hard challenge on a very tough, hilly, blustery but successful stage,” she said.

British Continental team Trinity team member Dean Harvey from Belfast won the stage, fellow team mate Luke Tuckwell from Australia successfully held onto the yellow jersey before being crowned outright winner in Killorglin.