John Demspey leads a chase group through the streets of Carlingford during the 2013 National Road Race Championships (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
John Dempsey might be heading for the autumn of his career, but the 35 year-old Carrick Wheelers man still has the hunger to compete at the highest level in Ireland.
The winner of Rás Mumhan back in 2005, he wants to complete what would be his 10th An Post Rás and win the county team prize.
He’s not ruling out being competitive again in his own right, but it probably won't be this year.
“I have a deal with the better half that I'll do a 10th before I’m 40 so I have five years to get that done,” he laughed.
Winning the opening stage of the Tour of Ulster in 2005 from a three-man escape; second and third were big guns David McCann and Tommy Evans (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
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“Bill Moore won a stage on his 10th Rás so I use him as inspiration," said Dempsey of Meath man Moore's fantastic winning late attack on the final stage in the Phoenix Park in 2005.
“The race is a huge commitment; it takes over your life from October until May but I hope to do it again.”
“I’d love to win the team prize as it’s something I’ve never done.
“Being in a Rás team where we won a stage was a real highlight and I had that privilege twice; through Sam (Bennett) in 2009 and Conor Dunne in 2013.
“I did next to nothing to help Conor but I gave Sam a good dig-out so I enjoyed that.
John Demspey on the attack in the 2007 Rás Mumhan which he would go on to win. Also in the shot are double Rás winner Philip Cassidy on the far left and Simon Kelly trying to hold Dempsey's wheel.
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“For me, personally, my highlight was winning Rás Mumhan in 2005.
“I was on fire that weekend and couldn’t feel the pedals but I also had the strongest team by far and the lads made it easy for me at times.
“I also raced a bit in eastern Europe with Dan Morrissey in a few UCI 2.2 races.
"They were great races, up against Mapei and big teams like that.
Dempsey is a classy rider and at 35 years of age still has plenty drive and determination to win races. Seen here riding for Dan Morrissey during the 2010 FBD Insurance Rás.
“I always really enjoyed racing in Ireland because we had a good group at the top of their game and we could dominate.
“The Des Hanlon in 2005 is a good memory. We were sponsored by Dan Morrissey at the time so it was important for us to win.
“Rory (Wyley), Timmy (Barry) and I got in the 12-man break that day and we dictated the race.
"We eventually finishing up 1st and 2nd with Rory and Timmy so that was great to be part of.”
Dempsey riding the 2006 Rás in the colours of Murphy & Gunn; a UCI Continental ranked team that often competed abroad.
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