It will be an An Post Rás full of nostalgia for one of the country’s most experienced riders next week as Eugene Moriarty lines up at the start in Dublin Castle for an incredible 20th time, writes Brian Canty.

An Post Chain Reaction took their first win of the Rás so far this week with a trademark sprint from Aaron Gate as Clemens Fankheuser retained the yellow jersey by the skin of his teeth once again.

By the dawn of spring, Mario would either be long gone or be breaking his back foraging for ball out around wing-forward

Ballymena claimed the scalp of Bruff, who are always a formidable prospect at Kilballyowen Park, as John Andrews’ side moved up to fifth in the Division 1B table.

Former Charlton midfielder Matt Holmes was today awarded agreed damages of £250,000 (€371,779) over what a court heard would go down as the “second most expensive tackle in history”.