| |
|
|
Kanturk Cycling Club Date With Ras Tailteann 2026
By By Management Team
Jun 1, 2024, 13:55
 |
| Willem O'Connor O'Leary Stone Kanturk Gets His Firat White Jersey Best Under 23 Rider In His Native Banteer |
Stage 1 of the Rás Tailteann got underway today with a ceremonial start in Portlaoise before the racing began in earnest on the road to Kilmallock.
Our five riders — Arnaud Dumoulin, Willem O’Connor, Ben Murphy, Rory Condon and Darragh McGee — rolled out ready for a hard opening day. The lads were active from the off, especially in the first hour, getting themselves into moves and making sure Team O’Leary Stone Kanturk CC was well represented at the front. However, with a strong headwind and plenty of teams keen to keep things together, nothing was allowed to stick.
The first real test of the day came on the Category 3 climb of Dolla, where Willem produced a strong ride to take 3rd place in the KOH sprint, getting the team off the mark in the mountains competition.
 |
| Willem O'Connor O'Leary Stone Kanturk sprinting to Take second place In Banteer |
Unfortunately, there was a major crash around 100km into the stage. Thankfully, none of our riders came down, but Darragh was caught behind the incident and, through no fault of his own, never saw the front of the race again. We would like to wish everyone involved in the crash a full and speedy recovery.
At the finish, Willem, Rory and Ben came home in the main bunch, less than a minute down on the stage winner, with Rory and Willem both finishing inside the top 30. Both riders are also well placed in the young rider classification after a very solid opening day.
To top it off, we are currently joint leaders of the County Team Prize — a great reward for the lads’ teamwork and commitment on stage 1.
Tomorrow brings the race onto more familiar local roads, with a big stage finishing in Banteer. At 195km with 1,900m of climbing, the lads will definitely earn their dinner!
A big thank you to today’s stage sponsor, Munster Business Equipment in Mallow. Based in Quartertown Industrial Estate, Mallow, MBE provide high-quality business printing solutions, managed print services, interactive displays and touchscreen solutions for businesses across Ireland. We really appreciate their support.
Thanks Jillian and thanks lads for the report.
Rás Tailteann – Stage 2 Race Report
Team O’Leary Stone Kanturk C.C.
What a day. What a stage. What a result for the club.
Stage 2 of the Rás Tailteann rolled out from Rathmore this morning for the longest stage of this year’s race, finishing on home roads in Banteer. From the start, there was a special atmosphere, with banners everywhere for local legend Ben Murphy — a brilliant sight and a proud moment for everyone involved with the club.
The racing was aggressive from the flag, and Arnaud Dumoulin was straight into an early move, showing the intent of the team once again. That break was brought back quickly, and the bunch stayed largely together as the race climbed the iconic Caha Pass.
The real damage came later over Windy Gap, where the race began to split under pressure. From there, the action intensified, and Willem O’Connor made it into a strong breakaway of 12 riders as the race pushed on through Dripsey. That move would go all the way to the finish.
In Banteer, in front of a brilliant local crowd, Willem produced a superb sprint to take 2nd place on the stage — a huge result on one of the biggest days in the club’s history. An incredible ride and a massive achievement.
After today’s performance, Willem now moves into:
1st in the U23 Classification
3rd Overall on General Classification
Leader of the County Rider Classification Behind, Rory Condon and Darragh McGee came home in the chasing group, with Ben Murphy and Arnaud Dumoulin finishing in the next group on the road. Arnaud also moves up to 2nd in the C2 Classification, another great result for the team.
To round off a historic day, Team O’Leary Stone Kanturk CC now lead the County Team Prize Classification.
A stage finish in Banteer, a local crowd, podium success, jerseys, and the team leading the county prize — days like this do not come around often.
A huge thank you to all the past club members, supporters, families and friends who came out to shout the lads on. The atmosphere on the road and at the finish was something special. A special mention also to Banteer-Lyre-Nadd & Districts Community Council for putting on a fantastic show and creating such a brilliant welcome for the race.
Thanks as well to Barry Meade for housing the team and providing five-star accommodation on the Newmarket Road, and to Bobs Bar And Restaurant for once again keeping the lads fuelled and looked after.
It was also great to see club hero Paidi O’Brien on the podium today for the presentations — a fitting touch on a very proud day for Kanturk cycling.
Today’s sponsor: McAuliffe Engineering
Need your plane serviced? McAuliffe Engineering have you covered. Based at Lyre International Airport and specialising in Boeing aircraft, they can cater for everything from left phalange replacements to circuit breaker resets. No job too big, no turbulence too small.
On to Stage 3 — but today will live long in the memory.
Rás Tailteann, Team O'Leary Stone Kanturk C.C. Kanturk CC Banteer. County Team Prize U23Leader Irish Cycling Rás 2026
Sent from my i Phone Rás Tailteann – Stage 3 Race Report
Team O’Leary Stone Kanturk CC
Stage 3 of the Rás Tailteann took the riders from Mitchelstown to Enniscorthy, covering 155km of fast and aggressive racing.
 |
| Pinning The Race Number on Willems Jersey |
With a cross-tailwind for much of the day, the pace was on from the start. The bunch averaged an incredible 49km/h for the first two hours before the climbing began, making it a very demanding day in the saddle.
Our riders stayed sharp and well positioned throughout the early part of the stage, with Rory Condon producing a brilliant ride to make it into the winning break of the day. Rory fought hard all the way to the finish and came home 14th on the stage, a superb result in a strong front group.
The rest of the lads rode strongly and finished safely in the bunch after another tough day of racing.
It was also another excellent day in the classifications, with Willem O’Connor retaining both the White Jersey and the County Rider Jersey. The team also continues to lead the County Team Prize, a fantastic achievement as the race heads into the mountains.
Today brings a big test, starting in Carlow and heading for Baltinglass through the Wicklow Mountains. It will be a hard stage, but the lads are ready and up for the challenge.
On to Stage 4.
Yesterdays stage sponsor was Gary Lawlor of Lawlor’s Garage in Dromahane. Thanks Gary
Stage 4 Rás Tailteann brought the riders from Carlow to Baltinglass, taking on 135km and around 1,800m of climbing through the Wicklow Mountains.
 |
| Willem O'Connor Gets A Fistena Watch In Baltinglass |
It was a fast start once again, with the bunch wasting no time getting stuck into another hard day of racing. Around 60km in, disaster struck for Darragh McGee, who suffered a mechanical at the top of the first Category 2 climb. He was distanced from the front group but showed great determination to battle his way back on. Unfortunately, that effort meant burning a lot of matches early in the stage.
With temperatures rising, it was a very warm and demanding day for everyone. A big shoutout to Dan, Keith and Barry, who were kept busy all day making sure the lads were fed, watered and looked after from the cars. And we must not forget Tim and Rory in the feed zones with the crisp cold cans of coke.
The race really exploded over the Wicklow Gap, where the strongest riders came to the fore. Willem O’Connor produced another outstanding ride, making it over ahead of the bunch and fighting all the way to the line to finish 8th on the stage. That result moves Willem up to 7th overall, while he continues to lead both the County Rider Jersey and the U23 White Jersey.
Rory Condon came home in the second group after another solid ride, with Darragh, Ben Murphy and Arnaud Dumoulin following close behind after a tough day in the saddle.
Unfortunately, we have slipped from the lead in the team classification, but the team remains in a strong 2nd place with one stage to go.
Tomorrow brings the final stage, starting once again in Carlow and heading to Dunboyne. The lads are ready to give everything to defend the two jerseys and finish the Rás on a high.
Stage 5 Race Report
Team O’Leary Stone Kanturk C.C.
Stage 5 brought the “Curtin” down on this year’s Rás Tailteann, with the final stage taking the riders from Carlow to Dunboyne, finishing with three laps of the finishing circuit.
The plan for the day was simple: all in for Willem.
With both the U23 White Jersey and County Rider Jersey to defend, the lads rode brilliantly as a unit from kilometre zero. They were represented in every move, making sure that no dangerous riders were allowed up the road and that Willem was protected all the way to the finish.
It was an incredibly fast final stage, with a blistering average speed of close to 49km/h for the 143km route — which we believe makes it the fastest ever stage of a Rás. Despite the speed and pressure, all of the Kanturk men finished safely in the bunch, meaning Willem O’Connor successfully defended both the U23 White Jersey and the County Rider Jersey.
Willem also finished an outstanding 6th overall, rounding off a superb week of racing.
There were strong performances across the team throughout the race. We secured 2nd Irish County Team, while Arnaud Dumoulin held on to 2nd overall in the C2 classification. Rory Condon also finished inside the top 10 in both the County Rider and U23 classifications, capping off a brilliant Rás for the team.
It was a great day for the club, and we are incredibly proud of these riders.
This year also marked more special milestones for our Kanturk men. Arnaud Dumoulin and Ben Murphy became three-time Men of the Rás, while Willem O’Connor and Darragh McGee became two-time Men of the Rás. Rory Condon also joins the club as our youngest Kanturk Man of the Rás — a fantastic achievement.
A special thank you must go to everyone working behind the scenes throughout the week.
To Tim Murphy and Rory McGee, who kept the riders hydrated and fed in the feed zones, and made sure the lads had their rice and chicken waiting at the finish — thank you.
To “Keith the Mechanic” from Mayo, who kept the bikes in tip-top shape all week — thank you.
 |
| Team Manager Dan Curtin O'Leary Stone Kanturk |
To Barry Meade, our co-pilot for the week, who provided accommodation in the earlier stages, delivered sticky bottles when they were most needed, and a key asset in the car with his Rás experience — thank you.
And to the main man with the plan, Dan Curtin, who once again guided his team to their best ever Rás — thank you.
Thanks also to Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club for the lend of their bus for the week.
Finally, a huge thank you to our club sponsor, O’Leary Stone, and to Conor O’Leary, who has supported our club for many years. Weeks like this would not be possible without your continued backing and belief in the club.
And big thanks to Munster Business Equipment, McAuliffe Engineering and Lawlors Garage.
Go raibh míle maith agat.
 |
| Wiliem O'Connor O'Leary Stone Kanturk With The Ben McKenna Trophy For the Best Under 23 Rider Overall, Willem Finished in 6th. Place Overall 2.26 Down On The Winner ( Photo Lorraine O'Sullivan) |
 |
| Willen O'Connor, O'Leary Stone Kanturk In The Blue Jersey Best Irish Rider in 6th Place Overall (Photo Lorraine O Sullivan) |
 |
| Tom Armstrong UK Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli 2nd On Stage. Ewan Mackie Cycling Connacht 3rd Overall, Liam Flanagan, USA, Aps Pro Cycling Stage Winner, Conn McDunphy , USA Aps Pro Cycling Overall Winner, Liam Crowley Team Ireland Mountains Winner, Willem O'Connor O'Leary Stone Kanturk Points Winner And Best Under 23 Rider Matteo Cigala Dan Morrissey 3rd In Stage And Festina Watch Winner, Shoreman UK Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli Points Winner (Photo Lorraine O'Sullivan) |
|
|
| |
