Veteran Dignam to maintain key Rás role

DERMOT DIGNAM will continue to play a pivotal role in the FBD Rás although he quit his position as race organiser at the end of this year’s showpiece.

The Dubliner rode the race for the last time as a competitor back in 1972 and since then he has been involved in the organisation of the event in some way.

He was race organiser himself since 1979 with the exception of 1982 when the race was organised by Billy Archibold.

A new working group has now been set up to organise the event into the future.

This group will include Rás legends like the great Shay O’Hanlon, a four-time winner of the race, and two-time winner, Philip Cassidy.

Dignam is expected to become the new Race Director.

Edward Dawson and Tony Campbell will be his deputies. Throughout his tenure as organiser

Dawson has been known throughout the country as the accommodation officer and will retain that position while Tony Campbell, who has been another close associate, will act as route director. Dignam said he was delighted with the new involvement and was looking forward to being part of a new and vibrant set up.

“In recent years the Rás has grown into one of the most competitive and popular events of its kind anywhere in the world,” he said.

“Now, with this new set-up we are in a much better position to cope with the ever increasing workload and also to develop many aspects of the race which will attract even further interest from teams and countries throughout the world — and what’s good for the Rás is good for Ireland.

“I find it all very exciting and it will give the event a huge boost and create a lot of new interest.

“We depend entirely on volunteers and I can never see a time when we could survive without those people — the general public in the stage end towns and those who turn out every day to support us. It is an established part of Irish life and we must not only retain but we must secure the character of the race.”