Great news for Irish Cycling
We welcome the news that one of the biggest stage races on the Irish calendar has secured Dornan as the title sponsor of Rás Mumhan. With preparation well under way for the 2024 edition it is once again going to be a spectacle on the roads of Cork and Kerry being one of the biggest sporting events on the island of Ireland for the Easter weekend. The partnership will secure the future of one of Irelands biggest stage races and will further allow investment in bringing the race to a bigger audience and also provide a fitting challenge for our national and international riders.
Race Director John Breen said he and the organising committee are ‘thrilled at the announcement of Dornan as the title sponsor, with the success of the 2023 race it is great to be able to build year on year, the legacy of previous committees has set the bar high and we must do everything to maintain that, now and into the future”.
President of Cycling Ireland, Tom Daly said, Rás Mumhan has deep historical roots in Irish cycling and retains much popular appeal with the general public and cycling fans alike. It is a cornerstone event in the Irish racing calendar. The race not only continues to attract high-level international competition but also plays an invaluable role in the development pathway for both young and elite domestic riders. Therefore, given the event’s significance, profile and quality, Cycling Ireland is delighted to continue as event partner as Dornan come on board as a sponsor of the race this year. We are all very much looking forward to Rás Mumhan 2024 and commend Cycling Munster for their continued development of this wonderful event.
Dornan, a leading Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation contractor with its Group Managing Director, Micheál O’Connor, hailing from Kerry is proud to announce its role as title sponsor of Rás Mumhan. The decision to support this prestigious cycling event reflects Dornan’s commitment of supporting initiatives that contribute to the well-being and vibrancy of local communities.
Micheál O’Connor, Group Managing Director of Dornan, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “As a Kerry native and cycling enthusiast myself, and with our headquarters based in Cork, I am thrilled to announce Dornan’s participation as the title sponsor of Rás Mumhan. This challenging race not only provides a platform for the growth of cycling talent, but it also serves as a catalyst for promoting sports across the region. We are excited to be part of an event that showcases the beauty and dynamism of the Munster region to a diverse and extensive domestic as well as international audience.”
Already, Dornan Rás Mumhan is eagerly awaited by all cyclists, teams and supporters from Ireland and further afield. When asked specifically about the format, John stated that “The race will start again on Good Friday and race right through to Easter Monday. There will be a lot of familiar terrain on the route and also some new challenges. Once the final logistical issues are sorted we will announce the route but riders and teams will need to be aware there will potentially be an earlier start on Friday with the possibility of five stages this year”.
The hopeful introduction of a fifth stage will surely spike the interest of all those with an eye on the prize, taking in the testing backdrop of the Cork and Kerry mountains as well as the fast-initial stages. It will once again prove to be the place for all enthusiasts of Irish cycling. Changes in the format of the event will be announced in the New Year and it is expected to be once again oversubscribed with demand from national and international teams. The success of professional contracts being awarded to Irish riders is proving to be a golden streak in domestic cycling, with one of the stand out professional riders in 2023, Ben Healy, also a former winner of Rás Mumhan in 2019.
Repro Free: Pictured at Dornan HQ located in Little Island, Co. Cork, for the the launch of the Dornan Rás Mumhan Cycle Race 2024 were . L.R: Ben Murphy Kerry , Izabela Wojtaszek Cork (Dornan Cork Sports Club), Tom Daly (President Cycling Ireland), Micheál O’Connor Cork (Group Managing Director Dornan), John Breen Kerry (Race Director), Darren Tutty Cork (Group Finance Director Dornan), Liam Crowley Cork, Mark Murphy Kerry (Race PR) and Sinead Moriarty Kerry (Race Secretary), Photo By: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD. ALL IMAGES ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT ©