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Shay O'Hanlon Outstays Everybody
The first Ras Cathal Brugha, the one stage massed start cycle race
from Dublin to Killarney over a punishing 193 miles through seven
counties yesterday, attracted 34 entries, but only 20 finished the
course. Despite this high rate of retirals this, the longest one-day
race ever attempted in Ireland was far from a failure.
It was really a case of the survival of the fittest. The winner was
that outstanding time trialist and cyclist of the year. Shay
O'Hanlon, a Dublin insurance official from the Clann Brugha club who
won in a sprint to the line from Eamonn Ryan (Brownstown C.C.
Kildare) in 9hrs 19mins 10secs.
20 MPH
This represents an average speed of approximately 20 miles per hour
which is pretty good going by any standards considering that for most
of the way the rides had to contend with a high head wind and in the
latter stages a few showers, the time was comparatively speaking,
faster than those recorded each day in this years Ras Tailteann.
Perhaps one of the reasons for yesterdays fast run was the decision
to have nine prime awards along the course at well spaced intervals.
The race started from the G.P.O. Dublin and the first break occured
shortly afterwards. In fact before the cyclists got to Inchicore. The
whole run was marked by such sudden breakaways. However some of the
early pacemakers found the going too tough and faded out of the race.
NO PRIME
Although O'Hanlon did not win a prime he never let the leaders get
too far away from him and it was only a few miles from the finish
when he was with a comfortably leading group of twelve that he took
over, coming out of Farrenfore.
There was no one to challenge him for he showed the speed which has
brought him two national titles for time trials and finished quite fresh.
This was Eamonn Ryan's best performance, being with the leaders most
of the way. A competitor in the Ras Tailteann he has at times been
outshone by some of his Kildare team mates, such as last years
winner, Paddy Flanagan but yesterday he stepped up considerably on
his past form and took the primes at Kildare and Portlaoighise. He
stuck well to O'Hanlon in the final sprint.
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CO. DOWN RIDER
The third man home was the Co. Down rider Brian Monaghan (Newry), the
winner of the prime at Limerick. He led in a group of 10 2min and 10
secs behind O'Hanlon and Ryan after having been well up all day.
Fourth was Patsy Wall (Carrick-on-Suir) who won the fifth stage of
Ras Tailteann into this town this year.
The oldest man in the race was 41 year old Con Carr(Kildare) who,
despite having gear trouble outside Roscrea came in eight, a great
tribute to his stamina. He was one place behind this years Ras
Tailteann winner, Tom Finn(Tailteann Dublin).
Last night both officials and cyclists were enthusiastic about
running a similar race next year on the same day as it has been
decided once again to run the Ras Tailteann early in the season.
DETAILS:
1. S. O'Hanlon (Clann Brugha)9h 19m 10sec
2. E. Ryan 9Brownstown, Kildare) 9h 19m 10sec
3. B. Monaghan (Newry) 9h 21m 20sec
4. P. Wall (Carrick-on-Suir) 9h 21m 20sec
5. M. Logan (Clane Kildare)
6. T. Kiely (Carrick-on-Suir)
7. T. Finn (Tailteann Dublin)
8. C. Carr (midland Kildare)
9. D. Gibney (St. Patricks, meath)
10. J. Curry (Clonmel)
11. B. McKenna (St. Patricks, Meath)
12. E. Flanagan (Midland Kildare)
all at 9h 21m 20 sec.
PRIME WINNERS:
Naas - T. Kiely
Newbridge - J. Ludden (Clann Brugha)
Kildare - E. Ryan
Monasterevan - J. Ludden
Portlaoighise - E. ryan
Nenagh - M. Hackett (Lourdes Louth)
Limerick - B. Monaghan
Rathkeale - T. Kiely
Castleisland - T. Kiely
Irish Independent -- Monday 7th August 1961 |
