Sport
Are you doing the Ring?
It’s all systems go for the 42nd instalment of the Ring of Kerry charity cycle, writes Eamonn Fitzgerald
“Are you doing the Ring?” That is the frequently asked question at this time of year, as it has been for the past 42 years. It’s getting close now, just one week to go before the Ring of Kerry 2024 gets underway.
Jordan Lee, the Irish Paralympic high jumper will officially start the Ring of Kerry cycle on July 6 in Killarney. He is a member of the local Killarney Valley AC. What an inspirational athlete! He is preparing for his second Olympics, and he is undertaking all his training locally.
Brendan Coffey, a member of the organising committee, informed me earlier this week that registrations are still open for the 2024 ROK, but there will be a cap of 4,500 cyclists because of the logistics involved and to ensure that all participants have a safe and enjoyable day on the 110-mile (171km) circuit. You can register at ringofkerrycycle.ie/register-2024.
It is a cycle and not a race, so cyclists going on ROK for the first time should be mindful that the prime aim of this wonderful event is fundraising for so many deserving local charities.
To date, over €19 million has been raised by volunteers and there are so many volunteers, not just the cyclists but the whole organising committee. It may appear to be a one-day event but the planning for the next ROK commences the day after each year's event so cyclists can enjoy that wonderful trip around the majestic Ring of Kerry.
Tier 1 beneficiaries this year are Comfort for Chemo, Focus Ireland, St Francis Special School, and Breakthrough Cancer Research. There are also Tier 2 and Tier 3 beneficiaries who will also receive funding.
The Irish Cancer Society are running the 170km MyWay which allows people to cycle 170km in their own area at their own pace over a few days.
QUESTIONS
I did get answers to some questions that cyclists have, particularly those who may be doing the ROK for the first time. With the vast experience gained over 42 years of staging this mammoth charity event, the organisers have tweaked the structure of the day. Times have changed and E-Bikes have become more popular. E-cyclists who are raising money for their preferred charity are welcome to participate. However, they should bring a spare battery to avoid queuing up at some charging points along the way.
The control centre in Killarney is in constant phone contact with key personnel such as Paul Curtis who heads up the mechanical backup team. Even a basic puncture can disappoint a cyclist but Paul and his team are only a phone call away once more.
On one of the years I did the ROK, we started at the International Hotel but my friend got his first puncture outside the current Easons. Swift support from the backup mechanics had him on the road very quickly until he reached Ballydowney Bridge. Puncture number two, and the third one came at The Gap Cross. Was he cross? Not at all. Such stoicism and then it was all good from there on. He had a tale to tell at the finishing line and said he was determined to finish after collecting so much money for his favourite charity. Once again the focus is on a cycle and a fundraiser for a charity.
Can you start at another point away from Killarney and still cycle the 110miles? The answer is ‘yes’ but that cyclist will not have the comfort of the backup teams, road closures (only for a certain time) and no sweep cars to get you out of trouble. The marvellous services of the Irish Red Cross, Order of Malta and the Civil Defence will not be able to service cyclists who start their ROK at points other than Killarney. So, the advice is to be in Killarney for 7.30am when Jordan will set you on your way.
If a cyclist for some reason or other is unable to complete the ROK, the sweeps will transport you and your bike back to Killarney. Fiona Carroll will be heading up the sweep operation.
The whole organisation allows up to 14 hours support but at 8pm all support systems will be stood down and any cyclist who for whatever reason has not completed the ROK will not have the benefit of backup services or traffic restrictions.
There are three official food stations along the cycle. These are located at Cahersiveen (72 kms), Kenmare (136 kms) and Killarney (finish). However, there will be plenty of facilities to stock up on water, bananas etc. along the route. There are also so many people along the Ring who provide drinks and sandwiches all out of the goodness of their hearts as their way of thanking cyclists for raising so much for charity.
To all the cyclists, whether it's your first or 42nd ROK, enjoy the day and the camaraderie. Tóg go bog é. Remember it is the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, raising money and awareness for deserving causes; a cycle not a race. No yellow jersey or King of the Mountains. Enjoy and be safe.
GREAT CRAIC
I have enjoyed that ROK spin so many times, in all kinds of weather. Mostly good, but we also had wind and rain. Yes, it was an odyssey hugely enjoyable and great craic. Mind you there wasn’t too much opportunity for free-wheeling and that climb up from Waterville to Coomakista was a reminder that like life itself one meets the highs and lows.
How did we face that challenge? How did Roche and Kelly manage the Category 1 climbs to the Pyrenees, Vosges Jura etc? Certainly, don’t try racing. Just drop down on the gears and tóg go bog é in a manner of speaking and there are great breaks on the trip. The first main food stop at Coláiste na Sceilge is a Godsend. Say hello to the CNS principal Maurice Fitzgerald, one of the all-time greats of Kerry’s football stars.
Coomakista provides a splendid vantage point from around the Grotto. The drop-down from there to Caherdaniel is one of my favourite views of Kerry. On your right is the broad Atlantic Ocean, surely one of the highlights of the well-marketed Wild Atlantic Way. There is Derrynane House, the home of Daniel O’Connell. What a journey he had by horse carriage to the London parliament in the 1820s.
Before one gets to Castlecove on your right are the ruins of Lady Albinia Brodrick’s hospital at Ballinacoona, an amazing woman of royal stock in England who came to Ireland in 1915 and then disowned her royal riches, changed her name to Gobnait Ní Bhruadair, fought in the War of Independence and in the Civil War, set up a co-op for the local farmers and lived to the age of 93, dying in 1955.
On to the famous Black Shop. Brendan Galvin is no longer alive to greet so many cyclists who marvel at his collection of monuments to local heroes. Take a breather there and on your right is a collection of famous local stars such as Olympian Eamonn Fitzgerald, who also won three All-Irelands with Kerry and of course the Iron Man of the Rás Tailteann, Mick Murphy. Them and many more. Take a breather. It’s worth it.
After a few kilometres, freewheel into Sneem, that delightful village. Say hello to Louis Moriarty, a veteran of many Rás Tailteanns, who cycled the Ring on his 80th birthday. Inspirational. He owns the Sneem Hotel.
I always found the section between Sneem and Kenmare challenging. No hills, but a dead road. Food stop in Kenmare and relish it. You will need it for that long six-mile pull-up to Molls Gap. Nearly there, just 15 miles, but don’t be fooled. It isn’t all downhill, but the views are spectacular.
Home to base in Killarney. A wonderful day on the bike and a good few bob collected for charities.
SPIN
And it all started 42 years ago when Denis Geaney and his friends met at the Grotto for their Sunday morning spin when cycling wasn’t as popular as today. More for a dare or for the craic they said they might try cycling around the Ring.
They did and decided to do it for charity and over 40 years later the ROK has done so much for healthy exercise and raised over 19 million for deserving local charities.
It is a remarkable success story and volunteerism is at the heart of this marvellous fundraiser.
Sport
Jack O’Connor’s Kerry squad is looking deeper and stronger (but the proof will be in the eating)
As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, Adam Moynihan takes a close look at Kerry’s strength in depth
As the Kerry players, management team and backroom staff huddled together for a photo with the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup in front of the Hogan Stand, one of the photographers raised his fist in the air, trying to illicit something resembling a celebratory scene. No joy.
Victory over Mayo had been secured in convincing enough fashion but winning the league has never been grounds for buoyant celebrations as far as Kerry are concerned. Retaining Division 1 status and unearthing some new talent is generally enough to tick the springtime box ahead of the serious business of the championship. Once that has been achieved, anything else is gravy.
Going by the disappointing loss to Armagh in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, the need for new blood was especially great heading into the 2025 season. The team faded badly down the stretch and into extra time against the Orchard County with overdependence on core players glaringly obvious. It wasn’t the only reason they lost but Kerry simply didn’t get enough from their supporting cast on the day.
With that in mind, Jack O’Connor knew he had to work on the depth of his squad during this league campaign, and you’d have to say he made a pretty good fist of it.
Starting in goal, the situation here is clear with Shane Murphy providing back-up to Shane Ryan.
Moving out the field, in recent years Kerry have generally gone with Jason Foley at full back, Tom O’Sullivan at left corner back, and one of Paul Murphy or Graham O’Sullivan at right corner back.
After making his debut in the league in 2024, Damien Bourke has emerged as a genuine right corner back alternative with some strong performances that have vastly enhanced his reputation. Not many Kerry players came out of the Dublin defeat with extra credit to their name but Bourke was brave and tenacious, bursting out of defence and using the ball wisely. He was replaced as a starter by the experienced Murphy in later rounds but the Tralee man capped his league with a goal off the bench against Galway in Salthill.
Dylan Casey also got extended game time in the absence of Tom O’Sullivan and he acquitted himself professionally. He has a solid head on his shoulders and you get the impression that Jack O’Connor would now be comfortable throwing him into any given situation without hesitation.
The versatile Graham O’Sullivan is also an option at corner back and it looks like he’ll need to slot in somewhere other than his natural position of half back as Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Gavin White are nailed on starters at 5 and 7. O’Sullivan lined out at half forward against Galway and Mayo, underlining his flexibility and importance to the team.
There could be a changing of the guard taking place at centre back with Mike Breen seemingly shaking off the injury woes that have held back his progress with Kerry to date. With regular number 6 Tadhg Morley unavailable for selection for most of the league, Breen slotted seamlessly into that crucial central role, and he looked really confident against Mayo on Sunday. As things stand, Morley will be doing well to displace Breen but either way Kerry should have two good centre back options heading into the summer months.
Midfield has been a head scratcher for Kerry for a number of years but in Diarmuid O’Connor and Joe O’Connor they appear to have found a winning combination. Diarmuid was playing the best football of his career up to his injury against Armagh in Round 6 so getting his shoulder right for championship is of paramount importance to Kerry’s chances.
Joe is a guaranteed starter too but his assured display at wing forward against Armagh was interesting in that it opens the door for a third midfielder to start. Seán O’Brien and Barry Dan O’Sullivan both applied themselves admirably when called upon in the league and the manager should feel like he can trust them more now than he did 12 months ago.
Joe O’Connor’s arrival as a half forward candidate has improved Kerry’s options to the extent that it’s difficult to predict how they will line out from 10 to 12 in the Munster Championship. Micheál Burns has done quite well upon his reintroduction to the team after being dropped from the panel in 2024, and Paudie Clifford is looking sharp at centre forward. Tony Brosnan and Dylan Geaney are options along this line too, although Dylan has been operating as a withdrawn inside forward to date – a role Tony is also capable of playing.
Of course, Seánie O’Shea will have to fit in somewhere in this department when he fully recuperates from his knee ligament injury, so it will be interesting to see how Jack O’Connor works this conundrum out. File under ‘good problems’.
Dara Moynihan is still recovering from a hip injury and has not yet featured in 2025. He would naturally be an option at 10 if he can get back up to speed. Meanwhile, Darragh Lyne, Ruairí Murphy and Cathal Ó Beaglaoich all featured at half forward in the league.
David Clifford and Paul Geaney will play at 13 and 14 with Dylan Geaney in pole position to start at 15 on the back of a really good run of form, perhaps excepting the league final in which he was relatively quiet. Tony Brosnan is a prime candidate to challenge Dylan for that spot; the Dr Crokes player has kicked some fantastic scores in each of his last three appearances as a substitute.
As for out-and-out inside forwards, Conor Geaney and Killian Spillane are likely to be used as impact subs.
All told Kerry do appear to have better depth than they had last year, particularly with the emergence of second season players like Bourke, O’Brien and Dylan Geaney as legitimate options, and with Breen beginning to fulfil his potential. Burns’ comeback and Joe O’Connor’s newfound ability to play the 12 position also help.
As always, though, the proof will be in the eating. We will have to wait for the suffocating heat of do-or-die championship matches to find out if this squad is as deep and dependable as it looks on paper.
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