By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
The Gene Moriarty Cup is the highlight of the Irish cycling calendar this Sunday in Listowel, Co. Kerry, but the town is also famous for the Writers Week and the Festival of Horse racing in September. The local community are very supportive of all things that bring people to the town
Organiser Tadgh Moriarty has once again set the bar when it comes to the promotion of a cycle race. "I have been around for a quiet a while and I recognise that it is important that when it comes to bike racing, what is needed," he said. "My first priority has been the safety of the competitors, but equally the general public who I don't wish to discommode. After all, I need everybody's support and particularly the local community."
Of the past winners in the last 24 years, Brian Kenneally from Piltown, Co. Waterford heads the list. He has been successful on three occasions in the last 10 years, and admits now that to make it numero four is a big ask for want of a better word.
Defending champion Ken Norgrove is in buoyant mood. "Yes, I feel that with the way the All System Dublin Wheeler team is going at the moment, that I have a better than average chance of repeating my success of a year ago." Since the McGraths Concrete Ras Connachta a couple of weeks ago, the ‘Wheelers' have been doing the business. So, we'll wait and see the outcome on Sunday in the Kingdom.
The injury sustained by Eugene Moriarty of MyHome.ie back in April seems to have healed, so Listowel should see the team that has been in the news last week with the sale of the company for €50 million.
Coming into form at the moment is the M Donnelly Stamullen Racing Team, and they will surely be a force to be reckoned with. Craig Sweetman's victory in the Leinster Road Racing Championship hasn't gone unnoticed.
Tadgh was at pains to point out that also included on the clar (Irish saying) was a race for third category competitors who should bolster the numbers in town, and the odds are that they will head to Clare via the ferry at Tarbet for the Crotty Cup on Monday.
