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Ras Tailteann Stage 2,Monaghan – Blackrock 21/5/2023
Ireland’s Dillon Corkery winner of the 2023 Ras Tailteann.
Pic : Lorraine O’Sullivan
Dillon Corkery from Banteer is the toast of the Irish cycling scene after last weekend staging a sensational smash-and-grab win on the last day of Rás Tailteann. He went to the line for the last stage, sitting in 7th place after a stage win the previous day, but after getting into a breakaway he managed to stay away from his pursuers, and by the end had 2 minutes and 12 seconds to spare over his nearest challenger. After the presentation in front of a crowd containing his family and friends, Dillon made an emotional tribute to his uncle John Mulcahy of Mulcahy’s Pharmacy in Mallow, who died this year after a battle with motor neuron disease.
Last weekend’s win in the Rás brings another accolade for Dillon who has been building a cycling career in France for the past couple of years, and he went to the line for the start of the Rás last Wednesday after a long journey from France where he had been in serious racing competition.
Dillon started his life in cycling at the tender age of 10 when he joined Kanturk Cycling Club, under the tutelage of Dan Curtin, and his love of the sport has seen him capture many titles, including Rás Luimní in 2018.
Dillon has been visiting schools in Dromahane and Banteer in the past couple of days, where he has received a fantastic welcome, and there has been great interest in the Rás trophy which includes the names of previous winners like Stephen Roche and Shay O’Han-lon.
He is loving his visit home, but he will be leaving again this weekend, as he will be in the saddle for another big race in France next week, the first of many which lie ahead during a busy summer.