AFTER leading the race through his home town of Cong, David O’Loughlin (An Post/Sean Kelly), supplied the perfect finishing touch to the third stage of the FBD Insurance Rás when he outsprinted defending champion, Simon Richardson (Sigma Sport Specialised).

SUNBURNT nose, sand in your toes, clear blue skies, outdoor pursuits, beer gardens, beaches and barbecues.

The two Air Corps crew members killed after their aircraft crashed in Co Galway last night have been named as 32-year-old Captain Derek Furniss and Cadet David Jevens, 22.

TOMMY EVANS, riding for the Irish Sports Council team, got the FBD Milk Rás off to a flying start yesterday when he won a two man sprint for stage victory with the young Dane, Ari Hojgaard, into Roscrea and claimed the first yellow jersey of this year’s showpiece.

Rural communities face being wiped out as more people move to bigger towns and cities, the rural development minister said today.