*Danny MacDonald. 

For the first time since 1991, Clare will have a team of riders racing in the Rás Tailteann.

Burren Cycling Club will partake in the five stage race which commences in Dublin on Wednesday June 15th and finishes in Dundalk on June 19th. Clare will host a stage once again for the Rás with stage three bringing riders from Newcastlewest to Lisdoonvarna- a gruelling 175 km’s the longest stage of this year’s RAS.

Bellharbour’s Mark Shannon, a multiple Rás winner is currently one of Cycling Ireland’s top ranked riders, the winner of this year’s Crotty Cup in Kilrush is part of the Burren team. Their youngest member is twenty year old Danny MacDonald of Clooney, he won this year’s Lacey Cup. They are joined by former Connacht champion, Richard Meaney, Simon Kelly a former professional with the Sean Kelly/An Post squad, Adare’s Paul Kennedy a Masters 40 National Time Trial Champion while Clarecastle’s Ger Troy is the team’s reserve rider.

Cycling enthusiasts John Nilan and Patrick O’Donoghue set up Burren Cycling Club on November 28th 2003. The currently has over 110 members. To cater for a growing racing cohort Burren CC set up a racing side to the club to assist racing riders develop. The racing side of the club was formed in 2016. Burren CC have had its best racing year to date with multiple victories and placings in races across the country so far this year.

Known as Ireland’s number one elite cycling event for men, the Rás has changed its format this year to be spread across five days. This epic race began in 1953 and has been held every year since bar one in 2019 and was postponed because of Covid 19 in 2020 and 2021. It is one of Ireland’s top sporting events and has consistently brought world class sporting action and a significant economic boost to towns and villages nationwide.

Related News

treacys oakwood (1)
Curtain falls on fundraising concert series with final show for Laura Lynn
court yard lanters 1-2
Gort Arts to host exhibition at Kennedy studio for Culture Night
donna mcgettigan 1
Abnormal rental prices in Clare says McGettigan
donald trump 2
Trump 'more than welcome' in Doonbeg for Irish Open says Agriculture Minister
Latest News
roisin considine liscannor 2
'I don't know when it will happen for Liscannor but hopefully it won't be much longer' - Considine
treacys oakwood (1)
Curtain falls on fundraising concert series with final show for Laura Lynn
cratloe v st josephs doora barefield 16-08-25 samuel costelloe podge collins 2
Semi-final pairings set for senior, intermediate & junior football championships
david speed mural killaloe 1-2
Salmon of knowledge mural unveiled in Killaloe
colm walsh o'loghlen marco cleary 1-2
Marco makes his mark to claim player of the week
Premium
Clondegad cruise past Naomh Eoin to qualify for Clare IFC semi-finals
Cratloe claim victory over Ennistymon following extra-time excitement
Parish produce big second half pump to knock out Kilmurry Ibrickane
O'Currys relegated to Junior A ranks for first time since 95 following Ennistymon loss
Wind in Corofin's sails to bounce back to top tier after quarter-final win over Gaels

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.