Munster Race Review – Day One

Final wrap up of this afternoon’s activities as Day One of the Munster Race 2014 comes to a close.

Group 1.
When it comes to innovation and interaction, this group have certainly led the field. Following excursions to Doolin, Doonbeg Golf Resort and Father Ted’s house this morning, the group cleverly orchestrated an afternoon tip rugby match with fans on Kilkee beach through twitter, with hundreds turning up to play alongside Conor Murray, Shane Buckley, Ivan Dineen, Denis Hurley, Barry O'Mahony, Johne Murphy and Damien Varley.

The lads will now overnight in Listowel before hitting the road for Day Two tomorrow morning.

One giant game of tip on Kilkee beach this afternoon – organised by Group 1.

Group 2.
A day of ups and downs for Ian Keatley in this group – starting his morning with a fender bender and later forgetting his iPad in Cashel. Careful Keats, things come in threes! Having wielded batons in the Garda Training College, Templemore and after meeting kids at the Thurles RFC Summer Camp, they later headed to Cashel to complete their challenge of building castles from cases of Deep River Rock Water.

Keep your eyes peeled for Alan Cotter, Dave Foley, Ian Keatley, Dave O'Callaghan, John Ryan, Gerhard van den Heever and Simon Zebo around Bruff tonight, Group 2’s final destination for Day One.

Simon Zebo and Dave O'Callaghan during the Deep River Rock Water challenge.

Group 3.
As part of their Bank of Ireland challenge, Andrew Conway, Sean Dougall, Dave Kilcoyne, Luke O'Dea, Tommy O'Donnell and Niall Scannell raised EUR600 for the Solas Centre and St Vincent de Paul by selling blaas on the streets of Waterford, and after meeting fans at both Waterford RSC and Tramore beach, black wet suits (leaving little to the imagination) were the order of the day as lads took to the waves for a surfing lesson from Oceanic Surf School.

The lads will stay costal for the remainder of the day as they reside in Kinsale tonight.

Sargent Conway on the 'blaa-selling' beat.

Group 4.
Dressing mannequins in Timberland and posing for pictures with a monkfish was all part of a day’s work for these guys as they visited Cork city centre this morning. No easy ride for this group as they put their backs in to it for the afternoon, rowing along Cobh harbour before docking at the Titanic bar & Grill. However their efforts in the sweltering summer sun were rewarded as hundreds of fans turned out in Cobh to greet Donncha O’Callaghan, Peter O’Mahony, Paddy Butler, JJ Hanrahan, Billy Holland, Martin Kelly and Mike Sherry.

The lads now head inland and will spend tonight in Kanturk.

Group 4 row into Cobh.

Group 5.
Having pumped some iron in The Bodybuilding Gym early this morning, it wasn’t long before BJ Botha, Keith Earls, Johnny Holland, Felix Jones, Kevin O'Byrne, Ronan O'Mahony and Donnacha Ryan got their tops off and took a dip in the river in Killaloe. The day also consisted of hitching lifts on a pony and trap, meeting fans at an Estuary RFC meet & greet in Shanagolden and setting sail with Foynes Yacht Club.

Still to complete their race challenge, Group 5 will learn their fate in the Kingdom tomorrow morning, following tonight’s stay in Killarney.

Johnny Holland and Group 5 set sail with Foynes Yacht Club members.

Group 6.
Today’s itinerary saw this group take a tour of West Cork, beginning in Bandon, moving onto Clonakilty and then to Bantry, meeting fans, eating black pudding and street-selling Irish Independent newspapers along the way. All proceeds raised from the challenge will go to charity, and with the lads yet to reveal the amount raised, it remains to be seen if they’ve topped the impressive EUR600 raised by Group 3 in Waterford.

Edging ever closer to tomorrow’s final destination of Dingle, Stephen Archer, Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, Robin Copeland, James Cronin, Paul O'Connell, Cathal Sheridan and CJ Stander will spend tonight in Kenmare.

Colette Twomey of Clonakilty Black Pudding meets Paul O'Connell at Clonakilty RFC.

For further destinations and updates of this year's race keep checking in with the Munster Race 2014 Live Blog by clicking here or by using #MunRace14.