The fire-eating, blood-drinking 'Iron Man' who overcame crashes and concussion to win Ireland's biggest race

"After the stage, he went to a docile cow and, using a small pen-knife that he carried in his sock, bled a vein in the cow’s neck into his water-bottle and drank the blood."

Former Kerry Rás winner, wrestler, runner, and boxer Mick Murphy pictured at his home in Glebe, Cahirciveen, County Kerry in 2003. Picture by Don MacMonagle

In an edited extract from ‘The Rás: The Story of Ireland’s Unique Bike Race’, author Dr Tom Daly explores the myths surrounding one of the event’s most fascinating winners — Mick Murphy.