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By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent/Evening Herald/Sunday Independent
Ras Luimini held centre stage yesterday for cyclists looking for competition on a bank holiday Monday in Ireland.
The setting for Ras Luimini and the weather was reminiscent of scenes from the film "Angela's Ashes" where it rained for virtually the best part of the story line. This highly acclaimed movie was shot in Limerick a number of years ago and received rave reviews in the film world. It was based on a best-selling book written by Frank McCourt, himself a native of the city. Luimini is the Irish version of Limerick.
The success story of the Cidona Carrick club continued with Timmy Barry coasting to a solo victory in the Ras Luimini, which was sponsored by the St. Albie's Credit Union in Caherconlish, Co. Limerick. The tally for the Tipperary club is now gaining momentum with five wins plus a number of minor placings.
For the second day in a row the competitors had to contend with heavy showers, which did no favour to the large turnout for the 125km event, which went by Caherconlish and Ballynitty. Barry along with Sean Lacey and Brian Kenneally finally broke the stranglehold of the main peloton by moving ahead on the last lap of five.
It became obvious to Sean Lacey that tactically the Carrick lads would make matters difficult for him to restrain the tactics which the boys would put in place after they had put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
Fortuitously the trio had the support of Eddie O'Donoghue (Cidona) and Ciaran McMahon (Earl of Desmond) who were less than co-operative as the main pack sprung into action after the lull caused by the escapees.
After a number of energy sapping attacks in the closing kilometres by Kenneally and Barry which eventually bore fruit in favour of Barry to forge ahead and add to his success of a fortnight ago in Kanturk, Co. Cork.
1 T. Barry (Cidona Carrick) 2 S. Lacey (Earl of Desmond/Tralee Bicycle Club) 3 B. Kenneally (Cidona Carrick) 4 E. O'Donoghue (Carrick Cidona) 5 R. Cahill (Banteer CC) 6 K. McMahon (Earl of Desmond CC) First Cadet: M. Herity (Autopart) First Junior: P. O'Brien (Kanturk Credit Union) First Veteran: S. McElroy (Carrick Cidona) First U-12: J. Coffey (Killorglin Credit Union) First U-14: G. Brown (Kanturk Credit Union) First U-16: S. O'Halloran (Safaris-Duhallow Whls)