Credit Union Ras Mumhan - NE

Ireland, March 25-28, 2005

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Stage 1 - March 25: Killorglin, 52 miles

Saunders wins stage one

By Shane Stokes, Irishcycling.com

Isle of Wight rider Simon Saunders proved best on today's opening stage of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan four-day in Kerry. Saunders, representing the Surrey League team in the race, beat Leinster's Brian Keane and John Dempsey (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) in a fierce three-man sprint to the line.

The trio were part of a twenty man group which went clear 6 miles into the 52 mile stage. The group steadily built its lead, increasing from 50 seconds at Killarney to over 2 minutes at Tralee. This advantage had grown to almost three minutes by the time Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways.com) took the King of the Mountains prime at the top of the Sliabh Mish climb.

Dempsey attacked outside Milltown and built a lead of 9 seconds with 3 miles remaining. However he was joined by Saunders and Keane and had to be satisfied with third place in the final gallop to the line. Miceal Fitzgerald (Cycleways.com) took fourth, with Fergal Kelly (Bray Wheelers), Richie Cahill (Killorglin Credit Union), Paul Griffin (Earl of Desmond A), Stephen O'Sullivan, Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways.com) and Brian Truman (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers A) completing the top ten.

The race continues tomorrow with a mountainous 94 mile taking in Sliabh Mish, the first category Conor Pass, Gleann a Gealt (category 3) and Sliabh Mish once more before finishing in Killorglin.

Results

1 Simon Saunders (Surrey League)                   1.55.38
2 Brian Keane (Leinster Cycling Federation)           0.02
3 John Dempsey (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers A)     0.04
4 Miceal Fitzgerald (Cycleways.com)                   0.16
5 Fergal Kelly (Bray Wheelers)                        0.19
6 Richie Cahill (Killorglin Credit Union)
7 Paul Griffin (Earl Of Desmond A) 
8 Stephen O'Sullivan (Cycleways.com) 
9 Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways.com) 
10 Brian Truman (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers A)

Points

1 Simon Saunders (Surrey League)                      0.15
2 Brian Keane (Leinster Cycling Federation)           0.14
3 John Dempsey (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers)       0.13

KOH

1 Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways.com)
2 Paul Griffin (Earl Of Desmond A)
3 John Mason (Cyclewayscom B)

Category 2

1 Peter O'Connor (Killarney CC)
2 Mark Nestor (Team Murphy & Gunn)
3 Michael O'Donnell (Leinster Cycling Federation)

Under 23

1 Andrew McQuaid (Leinster Cycling Federation)
2 Miceal Concannon (Killorglin Credit Union)
3 Hugo Keetman (BRC Kemmerland)

Teams

1 Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers A