Latest news with #RasTailteann
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Irish cycling community ‘devastated' at the death of champion ‘stalwart of road scene' aged 52
THE Irish cycling community is in mourning following the sudden death of a star rider. Craig Sweetman, 52, late of Mornington, Co Meath and Skerries in Dublin, had made eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally, having made his debut in Japan in 2002. Sweetman had attended the Peter Bidwell race in Donore last Saturday evening. However, he was not racing due to an injury and sadly died at his home on Sunday after taking ill. posted a tribute to the married father-of-two who celebrated with his teenage son, Toby, recently after he won a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland. It read: 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. "His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.' said that the long-term member of Stamullen Road Club in Meath was a popular figure on the Irish road racing scene for decades. They wrote: 'He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare long-term commitment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. "He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002. "Craig was also second in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men's senior Leinster road race champion. "He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. Bizarre moment Tour de France rider snatches cardboard sign off stunned fan... but had brilliant reason for doing it "He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. He will lie in repose at his home on Wednesday from 5-8pm. His removal will take place on Thursday to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
BreakingNews.ie
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish cycling community mourns sudden death of accomplished racer (52)
The Irish cycling community is mourning following the sudden passing at the age of 52 of accomplished racer, Craig Sweetman. Sweetman made 11 appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally, having made his debut in Japan in 2002. Advertisement Mr Sweetman, late of Mornington, Co Meath, and Skerries in Dublin, attended the 'Peter Bidwell' race in Donore last Saturday evening. He was not racing due to an injury. He took ill and died at his home on Sunday. Mr Sweetman started cycling as a teenager and won a large number of races as a younger man. He was a former Men's Senior Road Race champion and in 2023 won the Masters 50 title at the Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. posted a tribute to the married father of two whom they said celebrated with his teenage son Toby a couple of weeks ago after the youngster won a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland. 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.' Advertisement said that the long term member of Stamullen Road Club in Meath was a popular figure on the Irish road racing scene for decades. 'He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare longterm committment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002. "Craig was also 2nd in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men's senior Leinster road race champion. "He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. Advertisement "He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. He will lie in repose at his home on Wednesday evening from 5 – 8pm. His removal will take place on Thursday morning to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
Irish Independent
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Two WorldTour entrants taking to the line at Cycling Ireland national road race championships in Navan
With Sam Bennett, Ben Healy, Eddie Dunbar and Archie Ryan all out due to team duties or elsewhere, the race has just two WorldTour entrants in Ryan Mullen (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe) and reigning champion Darren Rafferty (EF Education), although the rise of U23 stars Adam Rafferty (Jayco Hagens Bermans), Seth Dunwoody (Bahrain victorious development team) and Liam O'Brien (Lidl Trek Development Team) as well as the presence of former champion Rory Townsend (Q36.5) former Ras Tailteann winners Dillon Corkery (St Michel Auber 93) and Daire Feeley (Burren CC), among others, means the duo won't have things their own way. 'It is less stacked than previous years,' three time winner Mullen says of the men's start list. 'But it doesn't really change the nature of the race. It's always really aggressive. It just means that the lead group will be missing the horsepower of three or four WorldTour riders but I don't think it'll change the dynamic of the race too much. "Nationals is a funny race. It follows the same protocol every year. If you're not in that move when it goes, then you can kiss goodbye to any chance of a result, so I just have to be vigilant on that first lap and make sure I'm in that deciding move, whenever it does go, and even then you still have to be on the front foot for most of the day.' Although born in England, Mullen has been taking the ferry with his Duleek-born father to race in Ireland since he was an underage rider and the seven time elite national time trial champion is looking forward to riding in front of a large family contingent in Navan on Sunday and would love to add a record-equalling fourth road title to his impressive CV. 'The whole family is going to be out,' he laughs. 'I've family in Drogheda, Navan, Slane, so they'll all be out. I had a little drive around the course when I landed the other day and my dad was pointing out all the gardens he had played in when he was a kid so if there's ever a nationals I'd like to win it'd be this one.' The course should suit his powerhouse style, although a crash in crosswinds at the Tour of Hungary about a month ago means he is still on the mend. 'I did a bit of damage to myself in Hungary alright,' he admits, 'but there was power in the legs on Thursday night, so I'm just going to go in as I always do and see what the day brings.'
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Green light for statue of legendary Kerry cyclist Mick ‘Ironman' Murphy
It is now hoped that this will be achieved with a specially designed statue of the legend in his home town of Cahersiveen. Such a statue will put Mick Murphy up there alongside other renowned Kerry legends not least the late Mick O'Dwyer whose statue stands proud in Waterville as does one of John Egan in Sneem. It has been the long-held dream of a local committee comprised of friends of the legendary cyclist to honour Mick's achievements as an athlete and they have now been given the green light to erect this statue but they are some way off finalising their plans yet. It has been hoped to have the statue put in place this year to mark the 10th anniversary of this death but this now won't be possible as it is hoped to get grant aid to help towards the cost. However, Kerry County Council have given a provisional green light for the statue in the town park in Cahersiveen. This is good news for the committee who will now move towards the next stage which is to get funds together. Substantial funds have already been raised to date through a local cycle that ran for many years in his honour and these combined with grant aid will hopefully help the statue come to fruition. Mike Greaney, who came up with the idea of the cycle and statue, and has played a key role in the project said it is good news that the council have agreed in principle to the idea but he said more work has to be done. "As of a few weeks ago we got a letter of approval for the statue in the town park subject to the design and now paperwork will be put in order for grant-aid.' Cllr Norma Moriarty had called on Kerry County Council to work with the local committee to make this project a reality and is hopeful that more support will be forthcoming to honour one of the county's greatest. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Mick 'The Ironman' Murphy is part and parcel of the sporting history in Kerry given his awe-inspiring feats he accomplished chief among them to come from nowhere to win the Ras Tailteann back in 1958. He was born in Sugreana, Cahersiveen in 1934 into a farming family and in his youth and teenager years he became interested in bodybuilding and strong men and circus acts and made an income from circus feats. Ultimately he also took up running and he excelled in that too but turned to cycling and became the legend he is today. The stories that surround Mick Murphy known as 'The Ironman' are legendary as the man himself but many though unique are indeed true including that he rode for several days with a broken collar bone. He also drank cow's blood and ate raw meat and trained with weights made from stone.
