APART from planning this year's FBD Milk Ras from May 18th to 26th, Dermot Dignam is also organising a new event, a five day Clann Brugha promotion which is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th to Sunday 8th.

As agreement has not been finalised with a sponsor the new event has no title yet but Dignam said it is modelled on the Giro del Capo in South Africa with road stages, time trials and evening racing.

Dignam's project is a full scale stage race with a morning time trial and evening criterium on two days and then an additional mass participation rally on the last day.

"What we have in mind," he said, "is to have god, long Ras like stages on the first, third and fifth days with a time trial and criterium on the second day and maybe a hill climb time trial and another evening criterium on the Saturday.

"The final stage would be over a loop around Dublin and the leisure cyclists taking part in their rally that day would cover the exact same route and they could compare their times with what it takes for the racing men to do."

Dignam also said that judging from inquiries there will be a record number of entries from Britain in the Ras this year. He added that he had no definite news on visiting teams but although there is no longer any distinction between amateurs and professionals a boost in the prize money is not intended - last year the winner received £600.

Thirty people will attend the coaching course this weekend for seniors in Carlow. Martin Earley will be there with coaches Padraig McGlynn and Harry Brennan. They will assemble at Rathcrogue House this evening and there is a full programme arranged for tomorrow and Sunday. Next week it's the turn of the juniors at the same venue.