An Cosantóir

28 | BY CAPTAIN DAVE COUGHLAN (2 CAV SQN) PHOTOS PAT DOHERTY RÁS MUMHAN 2012 riders from Europe. A field of 183 riders assembled in Kilorglin, Co. Kerry on Friday 6th April. The field included the elite of Ireland's domestic professional riders including Ryan Sherlock, Adam Armstrong, Conor Murphy, Sean Lacey (winner 2011) and Paidi O'Brien. The field also included elite teams from Italy, Holland and Great Britain. The following four days witnessed an epic battle played out on the windswept and mountainous roads of Co. Kerry. 485kms were covered in only 11 hours 47 mins, an aver- age speed of 41km/hr. The Atlantic cross winds and unpaved ascents broke the spirit and heart of some of Europe's finest bike riders but did Easter weekend saw myself, Capt Coughlan and Lt Michael Barry (27th Inf Bn), competing in the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, a four day international stage race open to amateur and professional nothing to dent the aggression and endurance of Lt Barry. He finished stage 3 in 10th position but moved to an overall 7th position. Sherlock moved into the race lead, acknowledging the help of Lt Barry in gaining the yel- low jersey. The final 110km, rain soaked stage, tested the ability of competitors to recover from the previous 3 days punishment. At speeds of 80km/hr on glassy roads, prospective finishers had to negotiate 10 laps without being lapped by the leaders to avoid elimination. Lt Barry, Paidi O'Brien and Capt Coughlan led the peloton into the final lap, doing all they could to keep the pace high - there by securing Lt Barry's 7th position - and staying out of danger. The greasy roads took their toll. A lapse in concentration saw Sherlock crash heavily in the second last corner. This was heartbreaking for the Irish as it handed the overall race victory to the flying Dutchman, Dennis Bakker and demoted Sherlock to second place. Lt Barry and Capt Coughlan crossed the line in Kilorglin for the tenth and last time safely inside the whittled down peloton of 35 riders. Lt Barry secured 7th place overall and 2nd Irishman after Sherlock. This is an astonishing achievement con- sidering the quality of the Irish riders he comprehensively beat. It attracted the attention of several team selectors. Capt Coughlan finished the weekend 32nd overall and 18th Irishman. A fine achievement being only 27 seconds behind 31st place, professional rider and winner of the King of the Mountains competition, Conor Murphy. An Cosantóir July/August 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie

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