High hopes for Irish trio in Manx race

Ciaran Power, Philip Cassidy, Tommy Evans and Michael McNena will represent Ireland in the Manx International over three laps of the 37 3/4 miles Isle of Man TT circuit today. They then head the line-up for the Irish road race championship at Waterford on Sunday.

National team director Richie Beatty expects them to do well today and collect some UCI points. However, with such a strong British and Continental entry, including some from professional teams, they have a tough task in trying to emulate the last Irish winner of the Manx event, David McCann, in 1996.

For Cassidy - back in international competition after his FBD Milk Ras win - it will be only his second time in the Isle of Man race. He was 12th in 1983, also the last year he won the Ras.

Power's club, Comeragh, are organisers of the Waterford championship with his father, Pat, head of the committee, so a Power triumph would be appropriate. The course has been changed to six laps of 16 miles around Tramore, similar to when Paul Kimmage had the first of his two championship successes in 1981. There are some drags to be tackled but no big hills so it may be a day for strong men with big gears on a wearing down process and Cassidy should be to the fore although he regards Power as the favourite.

Cassidy won the title only once, at Enniskillen in 1987 when Ger Madden of Cork was second and Dick O'Gorman came through to take third place. Cassidy was 10th at Collon last year when Ray Clarke won from McCann and '92 winner Ian Chivers and also 10th in 1990 behind Julian Dalby.

Clarke has not been in form recently for the defence of his title but the 1997 winner Morgan Fox, is back again and this time will be riding with members of his Belgian DCM team Dermot and Derek Finnegan and David O'Loughlin.

Mark Scanlon will not be taking part. He arrived home in Sligo on Tuesday for an arranged break from activities with his Dutch Rabobank team. He has to rest and have treatment to the right knee he strained in the Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg but hopes to be back racing again next month. Brian Kenneally, who tops the winning list for the season with eight, is also taking a break.

After the seniors set out from the Waterford Glass Sports Centre at noon the juniors get under way to do four laps. Denis Lynch, who rides the Isle of Man Viking Trophy race today, and Gavin Stapleton appear to have the best credentials. Lynch's twin brother, Daniel, is out of action with a broken arm.

The Carlow stage race is back on again, but only over two days on July 3rd and 4th. There will be a three-mile time trial on Saturday morning with 60 miles at 3.30 and the Sunday stage is over 80 miles.