Irish one-two as Conn McDunphy wins second stage of Rás Tailteann after outsprinting Liam O’Brien
Ireland’s Conn McDunphy of the Skyline Cadence team wins stage two of Rás Tailteann 2024
There was an Irish one-two on Rás Tailteann today as Kilcock native Conn McDunphy, riding for the US-based Skyline-Cadence team, outsprinted promising teenager Liam O'Brien of Team Ireland into Sneem at the end of stage two.
The duo went clear of an elite front group of around 20 riders shortly after the summit of Coomakista with approximately 40k remaining in the mountainous 184km stage, eventually finishing 30 seconds clear of their nearest chaser, George Peden of the UK’s Team PB Performance at the line.
McDunphy admitted afterwards that he used his head as much as his legs in the final 3km in order to overcome his 19-year-old rival and secure victory.
“I was lucky I was with Liam O’Brien,” McDunphy said afterwards of his escape bid.
“He’s probably the strongest man on the Rás and I was sat on him, absolutely swinging, for a lot of it. With 3km to go, I played the game, took a gamble and didn’t ride. He was riding for GC and he’s on the strongest team… the strongest rider and at 19, you have to say ‘Hats off to him’. I got him in the sprint, which is a rare thing for me so I’m absolutely delighted.”
Defending Rás champion Dillon Corkery led home the rest of the group for fourth on the stageand now leads the points classification for his efforts, while British rider Logan McLean, riding for Kerry, now leads the Irish Independent King of the Mountains competition having led across Bunglasha and Ballaghasheen today before picking up another six points for third across Coomakista.
British rider Dom Jackson (Foran CT) now leads the Rás overall due to better accumulated stage placings but is level on time with O’Brien and McDunphy heading into today’s 154.8km third stage.
With just two category three climbs to contest on the road from Kenmare to Cahir, it may finally be a day for the sprinters.
