By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
The title sponsor of this year's Ras, FBD Insurance, must be very happy with the reaction to the quality and numbers eager to participate in the race, which will be held between May 22-29. Organiser Dermot Dignam had to close off at 200 because that is the maximum number of riders allowed by the UCI for international races. The start list includes professional teams, national teams, continental regional teams and of course a strong contingent of Irish county teams.
As such there is no word about the announcement of an Irish national team, but there is a chance that those attached to professional teams may get released from their contracts to participate in the event. Navigators Insurance team members, Ciaran Power and David O'Loughlin, have both figured on numerous occasions on an Irish team, but a decision to release them for this race rests their American employers.
In any case, the selectors have an abundance of talent from which to choose an Irish team. Tipperary's John Dempsey staked a major claim with his great win in Rás Mumhan over Easter, while Kerry's Eugene Moriarty and Paul Griffin are also in great form. Perhaps the new kid on the block, Brian Keane, will come in to the reckoning following his performance in Rás Mumhan. Or, alternatively, the Irish selectors could opt for a young, developmental team with the next Olympics in mind.
