It’s still more than two weeks away but accommodation in the West Cork town of Clonakilty is already virtually booked out amid feverish preparations for the arrival of a major race which will bring more than 400 visitors to the town.

WHILE the focus has been on the introduction of a team time trial and a gruelling final stage to replace the traditional circuit finish, this year’s FBD Insurance Rás will also include some old, familiar obstacles as the eight-day showpiece returns to Kerry.

Letterkenny's Philip Deignan finished a highly-credible ninth in today's Under-23 road race at the World Cycling Championships in Madrid.

The Government will make a near-400-mile round trip from Dublin this week to demonstrate that the country is fully open again to visitors after the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The Government will make a near-400-mile round trip from Dublin this week to demonstrate that the country is fully open again to visitors after the foot-and-mouth crisis.