Rás Tailteann is promoted under     Cycling Ireland     and     UCI     rules  
Home 
 
 Route Details
 
 Press Releases
 
 Results
 
 Picture Gallery
 
 Race Manual 2024
 
 Race Manual 2023
 
 Race Manual 2022
 
 Race Manual 2021
 
 Race Manual 2020
 
 Race Manual 2019
 
 Race Manual 2018
 
 Race Manual 2017
 
 Race Admin
 
 Rás Over The Years
 
 Rás Stories
 Rás Stories
 Old Rás Pictures
 
 Kreiz Breizh Élites


Visits:


Sponsored by:

 

President Cycles
Rás Archives

 

 

Mike The Man Of The Rás "73"
By Dermot Mulligan, Carlow County Museme
Jan 16, 2015, 16:27


Mike O'Donaghue Carlow In The Race Winners Yellow Jersey After He Won THe 1973 Tayto Rás Tailteann
In May 2013 Carlow County Museum unveiled a special temporary exhibition to mark the fortieth anniversary of Carlow man Mike O’Donaghue winning the Rás Tailteann (now the An Post Rás), Ireland’s premier bike race in 1973. The exhibition launch coincided with Stage 6 of the 2013 An Post Rás stage finishing on Barrack Street, Carlow Town earlier that afternoon. The An Post Rás with the assistance of Carlow County Museum as the Stage End Coordinator brought the riders just over 154kms from Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

It is not often that museums mount an exhibition about a living person let alone hold a major street event in their honour. What resulted was an exhibition rekindling memories of an occasion that was front page news in 1973 with a link to the modern day with hundreds of spectators on the streets of the town cheering on the ‘Men of the Rás’.

Video of the ‘Mike the Man of the Rás ‘73’ exhibition held in Carlow County Museum in 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc2JN0Ve5vQ

Mike O'Donaghue In The Phoenix Park Enrute To Winning The 1973 Rás Tailteannn
On Sunday July 8th 1973 thousands gathered on a sunny afternoon in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, to witness the conclusion of the twenty first edition of Ireland’s great bike race, the Rás Tailteann. This ten day gruelling race had visited each of the four provinces and the final stage saw Carlow’s Mike O’Donaghue in the coveted yellow jersey of race leader. After twenty laps of the Phoenix Park’s Polo Ground circuit Mike crossed the line as the only Carlow man so far and the first from the south east to win the Rás Tailteann.

In 1953 the first staging of the Rás Tailteann had taken place over two days under the auspices of the National Cycling Organisation (NCA). The race founder and the Race Director from 1953 to 1972 was a larger than life character Joe Christle. Joe along with a small committee oversaw its development through its difficult early years. Joe was able to generate much national and local publicity for the Rás, at times he courted controversy for the Rás. A Dubliner, Joe’s father Jim was from Offaly while his mother Johanna O’Keeffe was from Seskin, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. During the 1950s and 1960s the Old Leighlin area was used regularly as a base for cycling training camps. 

The first Rás in 1953 was modest, completed for over just two stages, from Dublin to Wexford. On the following day the return journey passed through Carlow. Based on the close Christle family connections to county Carlow it’s not surprising that Carlow featured on the second stage. Even less surprising is that the Leighlin area featured and thus began decades of a close relationship with the Leighlin area and the Rás Tailteann. The ascent of the Butts above Old Leighlin is classed as a Category 1 climb where the long steep climb is crucial to determining many stage outcomes. Based on the success of both the race and the publicity it generated the first Rás Tailteann quickly developed into at least eight days in length and many from the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s were held over 10 gruelling days. It was not uncommon for a race stage to be over 200 kilometres (124 miles) in length.

Mike Posing For Photograph For His Carlow Sponsor Corcorans & Co. Ltd.
The Rás Tailteann’s nationalist, indeed republican undertones, in its early political outlook helped shape its name. The ancient Irish Tailteann Games (pre dating the ancient Olympics) had had a revival from 1924 to 1932 during the early years of Irish independence. The name gave it an instant recognition that people could have empathy with. Through its toughness and endurance it quickly became a legendary race among the Irish people making heroes of its competitors and household names of its winners. Many cyclists considered it an honour and indeed the career highlight to have simply completed the race in full. The inter-county rivalry of teams, based upon that of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) proved to be a hit with the public.

In the early decades the starting point of the race was the GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin with the finish always on a Sunday afternoon in the Phoenix Park. The majority of the Irish competitors in the race are amateurs, making their achievements all the more spectacular. In 1953 the first international team from Poland participated and over the years since, the Rás has hosted many foreign teams. The ‘peleton’ usually in excess of 150 riders is made up of amateur, semi-professional and professional cyclists.

In 1960 a fourteen year old Mike O’Donaghue read an advert for a beginners race in the Nationalist & Leinster Times newspaper. Mike cycled the 37km (23 miles) from his home just outside Carlow town to Monasteriven, Co. Kildare and entered the race. Although not having a proper racing bike Mike won and thus began a great cycling career. Following this early success Mike developed his cycling skills and with dedication his talent quickly emerged. As well as racing on the roads Mike enjoyed the thrills & indeed spills of fast paced track racing. It was on these tracks he set many Irish records. From the track circuit he emerged as a sprinter of some note. During those early years like many of his compatriots Mike cycled to the race location, cycled the race and cycled home. His track bike, like all track bikes, has no gears or breaks and must be continually pedalled. Mike recalls cycling this bike over the Wicklow mountains to a race, winning the race and making the return journey on the same day.

Report From The Nationalist & Leinster Times Newspaper 1960 On Mike O'Donaghue First Win
Mike wasn’t just a sprinter, he was well able to complete over longer distances and make progress up the climbs. Certainly competitors were wary of Mike in the closing stages of a race, if they hadn’t shaken him off earlier in the stage they would have a battle to beat Mike in a sprint. Like all good sprinters the final 200 – 300 meters was the strike range and Mike had the ability to make a decisive move at the right time and take race victory. Several photos of Mike in the 1960s and 1970s emphasis this, including a great photograph of Mike winning Stage 9 of the 1969 Rás Tailteann on the Staplestown Road in Carlow Town. Mike along with Jean Pierre Cabassut, France and Jim McConville of Down were leading the race down the Tullow Road and on towards the finish line on the lower Staplestown Road. In classic Mike style he made his burst with a few hundred meters to go and had a ten to fifteen meter lead as he crossed the line. Such was his lead that Mike was able to sit up, show off his Carlow tri-colour jersey sponsored by Corcoran & Co. Ltd much to the delight of the home crowd.

Mike Winning Stage 9 From Waterford To Crlow 1969 On the Staplestown Road
Such was Mike’s versatility he completed an amazing double in September 1967. He won the Dublin to Tralee Invitational, Ireland’s longest race, 308km (192 miles) from Dublin to Tralee, Co. Kerry and three weeks later he won the Sprint Championship of Ireland, Ireland’s shortest race, a 200 metres track race in Dublin. The Dublin to Tralee victory and subsequent two races clearly show Mike’s ability, dedication and stamina. The race left Dublin early on a Saturday morning and quite a number of the riders didn’t finish due to the extreme length of the race. A weekend of racing was organised as part of the Rose of Tralee Festival then held in September. On the Sunday and Monday evenings the town of Tralee hosted a ‘round the houses’ race. Round the house(s) race were quite common throughout Ireland where cyclists rode around a street circuit of a town for one hour and then cycled ten more laps. The majority of the cyclists who took part in Tralee round the houses races hadn’t undertaken the arduous journey from Dublin on the Saturday. Mike undaunted won the race on Sunday and was second on the Monday.

Mike Finished 6th In His First Rás Talteann In1964 at st. Leo's School Old Dublin Rd. Carlow
 
  In 1962 Mike set his ambitions on entering the Rás, then a ten day gruelling race over 1,000 miles (1609 kilometres). Mike was just nineteen years of age in 1964 and he is credited as the first Carlow cyclist to take on challenge. Joe Christle never one to miss an opportunity decided that Carlow town would be the stage finish for the first stage of the 1964 Rás. Joe went as far as putting together a Carlow team choosing none other than legendary Rás Cyclist Kerry man Gene Mangan to be Mike’s team mate. Mike’s ambition was simply to complete in the Rás and hopefully survive the ten days and cross the finish line in the Phoenix Park. The Rás left the traditional starting point of the GPO on O’Connell Street and the finish line was outside St. Leo’s Secondary School on the Dublin Road. Gene Mangan, Mike’s teammate was in the leading group. On the Dublin Road in the vicinity of where Alyesbury Court housing estate is now Gene made his move. He apparently mounted the footpath and broke from the group and proceeded to win. Mike crossed the line in an excellent sixth place. The presentation of the stage prizes was made on the steps of Carlow Courthouse. Gene didn’t complete the Rás and Mike therefore without any team mates finished his first Rás in the Phoenix Park in sixth place overall. Mike in jest reflecting on his first Rás felt he could have done better but his father, concerned for his son’s safety, told him just before the start to take it easy!
 

Two excellent reference books on the history of the Rás Tailteann are: ‘The Rás, a day by day diary of Ireland’s great bike race’ by Jim Traynor, 2008 and ‘The Rás, the story of Ireland’s unique bike race’ by Tom Daly, 2003. Sincere thanks to Mike, Jeanne O’Donaghue & family for assistance and access to Mike’s archive for both the exhibition and research.

 

This is part two of a Blog ‘Mike the Man of the Rás ‘73’, part one was published last month. In May 2013 Carlow County Museum unveiled a special temporary exhibition to mark the fortieth anniversary of Carlow man Mike O’Donaghue winning the Rás Tailteann (now the An Post Rás), Ireland’s premier bike race in 1973. This Blog gives a summary of Mike’s great win and some career highlights.

 For much of his career Mike wore the distinctive Carlow tri-colour jersey. He was probably the first Irish cyclist to have a sponsor – Carlow’s famous mineral water company Corcoran & Co. Ltd. In a number of hand written letters to Mike, Paddy Governey Snr of Corcoran’s wrote to Mike congratulating him on his various successes and in one letter dated the 14th of July 1967 states ‘You certainly gave Carlo Orange & Lemon plenty of publicity and we hope you will allow us to sponsor you next year again’. Depending on Corcoran’s wishes Mike wore names such as ‘Carlo Orange’, ‘Carlo Lemon’ and ‘Castle Orange’ across his jersey and on his shorts. Incidentally on the winning podium in the 1973 Rás whether by accident or not Mike wore his Corcoran & Co emblazed tracksuit top thus covering the yellow jersey sponsored by Tayto. In the south east and surrounding areas the Corcoran’s truck was often present near the race finish line. It was by all accounts a good promotional opportunity for the company and indeed the cyclists appreciated sampling the merchandise to satisfy their thirst after a day in the saddle. Mike was one of the few Irish riders to wear sunglasses while racing, indeed such was the virtual absence of cycling glasses in the country he wore normal sunglasses. Mike with his tri-coloured jersey, sunglasses and haircut (part of his pre Rás preparations) cut quite a dash as he raced along the high ways and by ways of Ireland.

The Carlow Team For The Rás 1969 (L to R) Mike O'Donoghue, Eddie Dawson And Mick Kinsella
 Mike also sampled international cycling, he was the third cyclist to represent Ireland at both road and track races. One French newspaper, Quest France in August 1974 after a race victory by Mike in France referred to him as an unorthodox cyclist. In essence Mike spotted an opportunity a little further out than the usual 200/300 meters to make his final move and burst into the lead. The group of mainly French riders were simply caught unawares by Mike who make good his advantage and won, somewhat to their annoyance and this was reflected in the subsequent newspaper report. According to Mike’s Carlow contemporaries Eddie Dawson and Billy Archibold Mike was an astute and ‘class’ cyclist. Much of his work was done in training prior to races. Billy well remembers Mike’s tactical astuteness and knowledge of his competitors. Before a race Mike would talk to his fellow Carlow team mates about the course and which cyclists to watch out for and indeed follow. Mike himself stated that he would plan his races and his training accordingly, if an upcoming race was to be relatively flat he concentrated on speed work; if a race would be mountainous he concentrated the training on hill work. In preparation for the Rás Mike would certainly undertake at least fifty mile daily cycles increasing this up to one hundred miles over a weekend.
When Mike entered his ninth Rás in 1973 he had become one of Irelands top cyclists. Mike enlisted Ballon man and experienced cyclist Eddie Dawson as his manager for the race. Eddie, Mick Kinsella and Mike were the members of the Carlow team in the 1969 Rás. The race in 1969 saw the start of Eddie Dawson’s connection with the Rás, since then he has been involved every year either with a team participating or involved with the administration of the race. Presently he is the Assistant Race Director.

Mike With EddieDawson Team Manager 1973 Before The Rás Tailteann 1973, Eddie Is Now tTe An Post Assistant Race Director
 The twenty first edition of the Rás started on the evening of Friday June 29th 1973 at the GPO with Carlow as the stage finish. On the Saturday Mike won Stage 2 from Carlow to Waterford and again winning Stage 4 from Macroom to Tralee, Co. Kerry on the Monday, both in sprints. It was on the Wednesday that Mike made national sporting headlines, when after Stage 6 from Gort, Co. Galway to Belmullet, Co. Mayo Mike took over as race leader and for the first time wore the famed yellow jersey. Although cycling is an individual sport, being part of a cycling team is also very important. Many cyclists win races with the help of team mates such as assisting with pace making, following race breaks, leading out a team mate for the final sprint. During this period Carlow rarely had a large team to enter the Rás while counties like Dublin, Kerry and Meath might have two teams involved. This in mind it was spectacular that Mike had managed to become race leader and that he could seriously have the expectation of holding onto it for the next four stages. Mike’s tactical astuteness came to the fore, he knew the talents of most of his competitors and he used their abilities to his advantage. He also made some gentlemen’s agreements with cyclists he was friendly with, in particular Kildare man Paddy Flannagan with whom Mike had trained and raced with for years. In return for supporting each others efforts on the road Mike knew he had some temporary team mates. This was crucial because Mike had the misfortune on the next two stages from Belmullet to Donegal and Donegal to Clones to have a puncture on each stage.

Mike Winning Stage 2 Of The 1973 Rás Tailteann In Waterford
 Mike recalls that on Stage 7 when he received his first puncture he managed to get back to the group and cycled to the front so everybody was aware that he was still in the race. On Stage 8 when he punctured the peleton (main bunch) decided to race hard as there now was an opportunity for a new race leader to take over from Mike. Mike managed to catch up to the bunch but deliberately stayed at the back of the group. Many of the riders were unaware of Mike’s presence, still thinking they had an opportunity of taking over as race leader they maintained a fast pace. In particular the threat was from the French and Cork teams who had riders in second and third place. Eventually Mike made his way through the bunch and no doubt his presence was a deflation to his closely ranked competitors. Mike’s progress was reported widely in the daily newspapers and on the Sunday morning of July 8th many proud Carlovians made the journey to the Phoenix Park to witness the arrival of the final stage from Navan. If Mike had no disaster enroute and stayed with the bunch for the twenty laps of the Polo Ground circuit he would become the first rider from not only Carlow but from the south east to win the famed Rás Tailteann. Indeed this came to pass, no doubt it must have been hugely satisfying for Mike on those last few laps knowing that he was going to win. He was second overall in 1972 and he felt that would be the best he would achieve in the Rás, but just twelve months later he completed a worthy and deserved victory. Among his close supporters that day was his pregnant wife Jeanne who had played her part in Mike’s training by assisting with pace setting on her “Garelli” moped.

Mike & Jean In The Phoenix Park After He Won The Rás Tailteann
 During Mike’s time competing in the Rás he won it in 1973, was second in 1972 and he won a total of nine stages. He won his first stage in 1965, in 1969 he won three stages, a stage in 1971 while in 1972 & 1973 he won two stages in each race. In 1965 and 1969 he won stages into his home town of Carlow. He retired in 1978 but decided to return in 1980 and finished competitive cycling in 1983. Such is the significance of cycling in Mike’s life he still cycles at least forty miles every day. In 2011 he was the recipient of the Hall of Fame award at the County Carlow Sports Star awards night.

The Rás Tailteann, or the An Post Rás, as it is now known, has been held annually without interruption since its inception 60 years ago in 1953. The Rás regularly visits County Carlow with both Carlow town and Tullow hosting stage finishes. Two of Mike’s Carlow team mates have had prominent roles in the Rás. In 1982 Bennekerry man Billy Archibold was the Rás Race Director while today Ballon man Eddie Dawson is the Assistant Race Director. The 2013 edition of the An Post Rás was the forty fourth consecutive year Eddie was involved in the Rás – well done Eddie.

To commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Mike’s great win Carlow County Museum developed a special exhibition titled ‘Mike the man of the Rás ‘73’. The exhibition was officially launched on Friday May 24th 2013 by Mel Christle, son of Joe Christle, the founder of the Ras. Mel, now a Senior Counsel, rode the Rás in 1971 and is believed to be the youngest ever competitor at just thirteen years of age. Similar to many cyclists of that era he emphasised that he simply wanted to complete the race. He was joined on the night by his brother Terry, both of them multi Irish champion boxers.

Mike With Hs Daughter Michelle Viewing The "Mike The Man Of The Rás"73" Exhibition In Carlow County Museum
The exhibition launch coincided with Stage 6 of the 2013 An Post Rás stage finishing on Barrack Street, Carlow Town earlier that afternoon. Carlow County Museum has asked the An Post Rás to hold a stage end/start in Carlow to mark the anniversary. The An Post Rás embraced the opportunity and with the assistance of Carlow County Museum as Stage End Coordinator the riders cycled just over 154kms from Mitchelstown, Co Cork. This was the second longest stage of this years An Post Rás with the cyclists passing through counties Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Laois. The lead riders that afternoon reached speeds of over 50kms per hour on the final sprint along Barrack Street. The Stage Winner in Carlow was Rico Rogers of the Azerbaijan Synergy Baku Cycling Team while the General Classification (Yellow Jersey) was retained by Marcin Bialoblocki of the UK Youth Pro Cycling Team. In fact Marcin Bialoblocki was the An Post Ras 2013 winner when the race finished on Sunday May 26th in Skerries, Co. Dublin. On Saturday May 25th after a parade from the Greenbank car park down Dublin Street the cyclists departed from the Post Office on Burin Street. The peleton travelled across the county and into Tullow and then headed towards Shillelagh. The stage end was in Naas after they had eight serious climbs in the Wicklow Mountains.

Rico Rogers Synergy Baku Azerbaijan Wins Stage 6 Of The An Post Rĺs Into Carlow
Rico Rogers, Azerbaijan Synergy Baku Cycling Team winning Stage 6 An Post Rás 2013 with a sprint finish on Barrack Street, Carlow. Photo Carlow County Museum.

Two excellent reference books on the history of the Rás Tailteann are: ‘The Rás, a day by day diary of Ireland’s great bike race’ by Jim Traynor, 2008 and ‘The Rás, the story of Ireland’s unique bike race’ by Tom Daly, 2003. Sincere thanks to Mike, Jeanne O’Donaghue & family for assistance and access to Mike’s archive for both the exhibition and research. Thanks to Tony Campbell, Race Director and all at An Post Rás for support, encouragement and statistical information. Thanks to Eddie Dawson, Assistant Race Director for his help, information and access to his archive.

Mike just after crossing the finish line as the 1973 Rás Tailteann champion in the Phoenix Park. He is greeted by Carlovians Billy Archibold and Hugh Coogan while Tom Reilly, Meath looks on. Photo courtesy of Mike O’Donaghue.

 
Mike After Crossing The Finish Line As The 1973 Rás Champion In The Phoenix Park. He Is Greeted By Carlovians Billy Archbold And Hugh Coogan

 

 

 



Rás Stories
Latest Headlines
John O'Hallorans Rás Storey 1992
Seamus Kennedy Winner Of The Health Race Rás Tailteann1978
‘The Rás – The Story of Ireland’s Unique Bike Race’
Rider Blog Team Gerard DHL
ESB At 1961 Rás Tailteann
Gabriel Howard, Legendary Figure In Irish Cycling
The Late Gabriel Howard
Gerry Keogh Stage Winner In His First Rás Tailteann
My Own Personal Feeling
Phoenix Rás Team 2015

 

Last Updated: Feb 23rd, 2024 - 15:58:26

Website maintained by:
Dragonfly Web Media