SEAN KELLY showed in the annual hamper race at Carrick on Suir that he is still fit and enthusiastic - but he dismissed whatever slim chances there were of a return to more serious competition.

Every year since Kelly retired from top international racing, there has been talk of him making a comeback to take part in the FBD Milk Ras. However when I mentioned it to him again, he said it was "highly unlikely" and added: "I'm getting on a bit, y'know, and time doesn't wait for any man. That would be too serious for me now."

On the second day of the Ras last year, from Kilkenny to Millstreet, Kelly was out for a spin on his bike as the route, went through his area, between Callan and Clonmel, and he rode along and chatted with many of the riders and officials.

That again sparked off the possibility of Kelly taking part in an event that he missed out on in his amateur days. But, although he has obviously maintained a high degree of fitness with regular outings on his bike, he ruled out a Ras bid.

I also asked Kelly if he would be tempted to take part in competition with the veterans, now that he has passed the 40 mark, but he repeated: "Highly unlikely. I like to get out on the bike and I hope to continue doing so but my racing will be confined to events such as the hamper race here and, I hope to be back in it again next year.

There was even talk in Carrick that if there is an Irish start to the Tour de France in 1998, with the second stage, due to go through the town, a place in a team should be found for Kelly. He was more explicit about that: "No chance".

Kelly is busy with many interests, particularly promotional assignments, and he will be attending the cycle shows in Brussels and Amsterdam in the next few weeks, but there has also been talk of him going into politics.

When I queried him on this he said: "That's a possibility, I have had a few approaches," but he refused to reveal the sources.

Kelly is also involved on a committee with Frankie, Campbell and Kevin Kimmage that has been set up to take over the management of Irish teams following the decision by Alasdair MacLennan not to seek, an extension of his contract as team director. Campbell is the chairman and Kelly will advise on what international races to go to.

The FBD Milk Ras next year will be from May 17th to 25th, and although the organiser, Dermot Dignam has done some planning of the route and had meetings with stage end committees he has not got it all finalised.