Sporting boost as Athlone to host stage finish of Rás Tailteann

A significant date has been added to the local sporting calendar this year as it's been announced that Athlone will host a stage finish of the prestigious Rás Tailteann cycling event in May. 

The first stage of the Rás will conclude in the town on Sunday, May 20.

Shannonside Cycling Club succeeded in bringing the event to the town with the support of Cllr Ailish McManus and the Athlone Municipal District. 

The race will start in Drogheda and the first (136km) stage will conclude at Accommodation Road, Athlone, beside the front gates of Custume Barracks, at around 3.15pm on May 20. 

The following morning - at 11am - the second stage will begin in Athlone, proceed to Ferbane, and continue onwards to Tipperary town. 

Shannonside Cycling Club said this would be only the third stage finish to be held in Athlone in the 65-year history of the Rás, with the others taking place in 1954 and 1985. 

The club pointed out some other significant local links to the event. The late Kerry Sloane, who lived in Coosan, competed in the first ever Rás and finished third overall on general classification while riding for the Kildare team. 

Two of the five-person local organising committee for the upcoming event, Morgan Fox and Jim Maguire, have competed in the Rás on numerous occasions. Other locals to have featured are Morgan’s brother Keith and Mark Nestor.

Morgan Fox will have a major interest in the 2018 Rás as he will be Director Sportive for his own team Viner-Caremark-Pactimo.

Shannonside CC members Steve Digby, Phillip Hayes, and Gordon Brett make up the rest of the local organising committee that will liaise with the Rás organisers. 

Chair of the committee, Gordon Brett, commened: "Shannonside CC is very proud to host a stage of the Rás in 2018. 

"We have been far too long waiting for the race to return to Athlone and we believe that we are set up for what promises to be a fast flat stage that will culminate in a spectacular sprint finish along the Shannon in Athlone."

The Chairman of Shannonside CC, Jim Maguire said: "We acknowledge the support of Cllr Ailish McManus, Barry Kehoe, and Athlone Municipal District in supporting this venture. 

"A Rás finish will cause the absolute minimum of traffic distraction on the day of the event and bring over five hundred riders and support staff to stay in the town on the Sunday night. Hopefully the Rás will come to Athlone on a more regular basis into the future."