Manxman Dan Kneen faces a tough task to repeat his shock debut success in the feature race at the Cookstown 100 at this weekend's Tandragee 100.

The Braddan man will make his first appearance at the County Armagh circuit on Superbike and Supersport machinery for the BE Cookstown Racing team.

He faces stiff competition from Derek Sheils, Derek McGee, Jamie Hamilton, Shaun Anderson and Michael Sweeney.

William Dunlop is unsure which classes he will compete in on Saturday.

The Ballymoney man must make a decision on whether to take in the 'big bike' and 600cc races on his Tyco Suzukis.

Much interest will focus on the return to the Irish roads of KMR Kawasaki pair Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor.

The Dungannon man and the Scot last locked horns at Tandragee in 2009 and have come out of retirement.

Both riders will compete in the Supertwins class, with Amor also entered for the Supersport race, and Farquhar taking in the Moto450 and classic events.

Farquhar is tantalisingly poised on 199 wins on Irish roads, so another victory would see him reach the 200 milestone.

The line-up for the second Irish national road race of the year includes leading contenders such as Davy Morgan, Paul Cranston, Seamus Elliott, Andy Farrell, Sam Wilson, Wayne Kirwan, Paul Robinson and Nigel Moore.

A prize fund of £11,000 is on offer and practice gets underway at 15:30 BST on Friday, with roads closing for racing at 10:00 on Saturday.



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