On his way to a bronze medal in the National Criterium Championships in Mondello in September; up the road with eventual winner Peter Hawkins of Madison Genesis (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Now aged 44 years, Paul Kennedy was a menace in the domestic bunch in his pomp, winning many of Ireland’s biggest races.
This year he showed flashes of the kick that made him one of the best riders of his generation; a bronze medal in the National Criterium Championships the highlight of his season.
The sport is deeply-rooted in Kennedy’s family with his father Jim a Rás stage winner and his uncle Mike O'Donoghue an outright victor of the most famous yellow jersey in the country.
Kennedy took up racing again in 2009 after a break of 14 years and while medalling at a nationals was a massive achievement, the 2014 campaign was not without its disappointments.
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“The high point was definitely the crit champs; it was on my hit-list for the year,” he said.
“The last 300 metres was a straight drag race between Robin Kelly (Aquablue) and myself; I got the bronze literally by having a fatter tyre than him.”
Back in the day: On the Irish team (far right) at the Snowcream International in 1988 with Olympian Mark Kane and Olympian and Milk Race winner Conor Henry.
However, the veterans’ road race championships were a completely different story.
“I read the race right; got in the move without Greg (Swinand, UCD) but I left my legs in the car park,” he said of a day when his body simply was not able.
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“Hugh (Mulhearne), Rory (Wyley) and Keith (Gater) were giving me the ‘if you don't ride I'll burst you’ look,” he added of struggling in the winning escape with the riders who would go on to fill the podium places.
"I was doing one turn and missing three. I rode around in the break for half the race thinking I'd come good, but it wasn't to be.
“Almost out of embarrassment, I sat up and went back to the bunch. I ate a few gels and won the bunch sprint for sixth out of sheer frustration and anger.”
The VeloRevolution man will continue racing next year and has taken up cyclo-cross in the off-season to keep in shape.
Tough as nails: Kennedy has taken to cyclocross and if it maintains his edge expect him to make an impact from early season next year (Photo: Sean Rowe)
He says while the racing scene is really vibrant, the presence of so many strong teams can make challenging for a win very hard.
“A race can be closed right down by either UCD or Aquablue very quickly and if you’ve missed the move it can be very frustrating.
"The real problem is the majority of riders on these big teams are all capable of winning, so as a group they have plenty of tactical options.”
However, he said having one of the strongest teams is not always needed for success.
"Mark Dowling's DID team has shrunk with Timmy (O’Regan) and Javan (Nulty) mostly out of the country. But it hasn't stopped him clocking up the results.
“And in fairness, look at guys like Damien Shaw or Eddie Dunbar; regardless of their level of support they can ride away on their own even on days when the bunches are really determined.”
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