Joey O'Brien Receives The Race Leaders Yellow Jersey From Wexford Lord Mayor After Stage 1

Rás Tailteann Triumph

From the start in O’Connell Street where thousands of Dubliners blocked the thoroughfare to cheer the racers on their way the race wended its way around the four Provinces  in a triumphal procession and where hundreds turned out to see the Tostal Tour with its eighty Englishmen. Thousands turned out to cheer on the N.C.A. riders.

At one point a train actually stopped on the line and passengers got out to watch the race go by. Holiday-makers touring the country by car joined in with the cavalcade, and followed the race for days. At Tralee a crowd estimated at 20,000 lined the finishing straight.

Greatest triumph of all however was the number of finishers. Only nine men fell out and of them four were Gate men, who pulled out when Andy Christle, a brother of team members Mick and Colm, was killed in an accident at Tralee.

The competitive side of the race was dominated by the National C.C. Team, which nearly did not start at all. Joey O’Brien won the individual race and with his team mates, Dick Sweeney, Leo O’Connor took team honours as well.

Joey O'Brien & Matt Sands

Willie Cooper Paddy Edgerton Dick Sweeney Joey O' Brien Leo O' Connor

Willie Cooper Joey O'Brien Paddy Edgerton Dick Sweeney Leo O' Connor

Back Row:- Paddy Edgerton Willie Cooper Dick Sweeney Leo O'Connor Joey O'Brien Front Row:- Matt Sands Joe Clarke Percy Spallard

The Start Of The Tralee - Ennis Stage

Joseph O'Brien Wins Eight Day Rás Tailteann

Nineteen year old Joseph O’Brien Of The National Cycling Club was declared the winner of Ras Tailteann which concluded in the Phoenix Park yesterday, with the eight and final stage (Newry-Dublin) a distance of 110 miles.

O’Briens time for the eight day’s journey of 700 miles was 40-01-20

The King of the Mountains winner, Cecil O’Reilly of Antrim, was placed second, 2mins 21 seconds behind the winner, with the Connaught rider, Mick Palmer 3^rd.

After a close and exciting struggle over the early stages with the Army, the National Club, Dublin, captured the team honours from a young and promising Meath Team

Leaders Jersey

The vice President of the Ulster Council (N.A.C.A.) Mr Joseph Conhallen M.P. presented the yellow jersey to the race leader Joseph O’Brien prior to the start of the final stage from Newry.

Shortly after the start W. Cooper of the National C.C. was rather lucky  to avoid a serious crash as the frame of his bicycle just folded up. He was given another bicycle and continued on.

Approaching Dundalk the Ulster man P. Devlin punctured, changed immediately, but failed to catch up with the field and so retired.

McIvor got the Navan prime from Fitzgerald by inches with the field, led by the National Rider Seamus Sweeney 4min. 30sec behind in hot pursuit and the race leader Joseph O’Brien sitting nicely with Cecil O’Reilly.

Held His Lead.

Approaching Phoenix Park McIvor drew into a 50 yards lead over Fitzgerald who dropped back into the pursuing group. They chased McIvor all the way up the main road but the Tyrone rider hung on bravely to cross the finish line winner of the last stage by a length from Frank Ward, Harp C.C. with Cecil O’Reilly inches away third. and Steve Abbot close up fourth.

The first eight finishers with the overall winner J.O’Brien in sixth place were all clocked at 4-44-20 for the 110 mile stage.

Newry – Dublin Stage

1. J. McIvor, Tyrone                                         4-44-20

2. F. Ward, Harp C.C

3. C. O’Reilly, Antrim.

4. S. Abbot, Harp C.C.

5. P. Hickey, Cork.

6  J. O’ Brien,  National C.C.

7. T. Whelan, Kildare.

8. C. Dunne, Harp C.C.

Prime Winners.     Dundalk        C. Dunne, Harp C.C.

                           Drogheda      P.O’Shea, Army C.C.

                           Navan          J. McIvor, Tyrone C.C.

General Classification

1.                J. O’Brien, National C.C.                       40-01-20

2.      C. O’Reilly, Antrim                               40-03-00

3.      M. Palmer, Connacht                           40-11-08

4.      D. Ryan, Limerick                                40-11-33

5.      P. Ward, Harp C.C.                             40-11-42

6.      P. Fitzgerald, Kerry                             40-13-06

7.      C. Dunne, Harp C.C.                            40-15-31

8.      P. Rogers, Ulster                                40-16-18

9.      T. Flanagan, Meath                            40-24-04

10.    P. Callaghan, Kerry                              40-26-09

11.    T. Gerrard, Meath                               40-28-00

12.    C. Carr, Kildare                                   40-28-26

Due to the deterioration of the original paper clipping there may be some errors in this reproduction.