GAA stars make a final call for ‘Race The Rás’

Tipperary GAA star Declan Browne is making a final appeal to amateur cyclists from all over Tipp and surrounding areas to join them for a stage of the Race for Rás charity cycle next month.

The former inter-county footballer and All-Star is joining a host of well-known ex-GAA players, plus members of the public from all over Ireland, to cycle at least one stage of the 2011 An Post Rás tour of Ireland, which takes place from Sunday, May 22nd to Sunday, May 29th.

The Race for Rás event is being held to raise funds for GOAL and The Irish Cancer Society.

Browne has agreed to bike the sixth stage of the race from Blarney in Cork to Tramore on Friday, May 27th, taking in the towns of Dungarvan and Bunmahon on the way. He will be joined on the route by former Waterford stars Dan Shanahan, Paul Flynn, Brendan Landers and Dave Bennett.

In total, more than 50 GAA luminaries will team up with members of the public for the fundraiser to try and raise in excess of €200,000 for GOAL and The Irish Cancer Society.

The participants will set off each morning three hours before the official stage start in an attempt to stay well ahead of the professionals. After biking for an average distance of 156km, they hope to enjoy their own race to the finishing line.

Other GAA stars who have confirmed their participation include Galway’s Ollie Canning, Kerry greats Ger Power and Seamus Moynihan, Ciaran Whelan from Dublin, ex-Kilkenny star DJ Carey, Cork’s Sean Og Ó hÁilpín and Brian Corcoran and Clare’s Tony Griffin.

A small number of riders will attempt to complete the entire tour, including former Dublin and Leitrim footballer, Declan Darcy; Roscommon great Paul Earley, and well-known physiotherapist and star of TG4’s ‘The Underdogs’, Eamonn Ó Muircheartaigh.

If you would like to take part in Race The Rás, and raise money for GOAL and The Irish Cancer Society, please log on to www.racetheras.com.