Healion looks certain to claim Rás win

PAUL HEALION (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) heads into today's final stage of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan in Killorglin almost certain of victory.

He took the yellow jersey after finishing a close second to Martin O'Loughlin (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) in the Valentia Ring stage on Saturday, gained a 58-second advantage in yesterday morning's time trial and finished 1:50 ahead of O'Loughlin in the afternoon criterium in Cahersiveen to lead by 2 minutes 48 seconds.

Paidi O'Brien highlighted the strength of Ireland's other professional cycling team, the Martin Donnelly/Sean Kelly squad, when he got up in a ferocious 14-man sprint to claim the Cahersiveen criterium stage.