Rás Mumhan promoters withdraw from Easter weekend cycle race

THE organising committee of Rás Mumhan has announced that they will not promote the event in 2021.

The Easter weekend cycle race, which always took in Castleisland on its Good Friday stage since its inception in 2001, will now have to find a new organising committee in a climate likely to be in the grip of financial constraints as a result of the current, Covid-19 business restrictions.

The committee was disappointed to have been unable to host the 2020 edition of the race and the decision to withdraw from event promotion was taken early this year, – according to race director, Tadhg Moriarty.

“The intention of the organising committee was to announce the decision at the conclusion of the 2020 race – events however overtook the plan,” said Mr. Moriarty.

“Given the complexity of organising the event, the committee felt it necessary to provide clarity regarding the future promotion of the race.

“It is hoped that this announcement will provide Cycling Munster with sufficient time to find an alternative promoter for Rás Mumhan for 2021.

“The committee wishes to sincerely thank all those involved in the promotion of the event that has been based Killorglin since 2001.

“The committee also wishes to acknowledge the longstanding support of all sponsors, especially, the title sponsor of the event, Kerry Group.

“The developments of recent years would not have been possible without Kerry Group’s support and in particular the encouragement of Frank Hayes.

“The committee feels fortunate to have been the custodians of the event, which has a long tradition within Irish cycling.

“We wish Cycling Munster every success with the event in the future.” – Tadhg Moriarty, race director.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the 2020 Rás Tailteann which had lost its June dates due to the Covid-19 restrictions are still hopeful that the event will go ahead later in the year.

The Rás, in which a stage end and start were scheduled for Castleisland during June, lost its grip on the 2020 calendar in line with all great world sporting and civic events and September was mentioned as a possible rescheduling target. But this will depend on the prevailing government and medical advice as the time draws near.