More Irish pro cyclists than you think have top athletes in their families. In Wimbledon next week the singles tournament will include Katy Dunne, sister of Aqua Blue Sport pro Conor Dunne.
We’re used to seeing him off the front of the pro peloton in various parts of Europe, but Conor Dunne isn’t the only pro athlete in his family.
His sister, Katy Dunne, plies her trade on the women’s pro tennis scene. She has already played in the Wimbledon doubles’ tournament.
And this year she has received a breakthrough call-up into the singles draw.
She has won five singles and seven doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit. Dunne made her Wimbledon debut, playing doubles, last year.
And this time around she has secured a place in both the singles and doubles. She will get underway next Monday or Tuesday in the singles depending on the draw.
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Conor Dunne is not the only top Irish rider with another pro athlete in the family.
Sam Bennett’s father was a professional footballer in his day; playing in Europe for much of that time.
Bennett was born in Belgium when his father, Michael, was based there during his playing days.
Jess Andrews, now Martin, and Philip and Lizzie Deignan.
Michael Bennett played midfield for Waterford United. He later signed for Eendracht Wervik in Belgium; playing there for four years.
The family moved back to Ireland when Michael was offered the Waterford manager's job in 1994.
Matt Brammeier’s wife Nikki is a top international cyclist. She is one of the very best cyclocross pros in the world.
She has been victorious at World Cup level and is the winner of countless British titles across all cycling disciplines since her days as a youth rider.
Dan Martin’s wife, Jess, ran for Great Britain in the Rio Olympics. She broke her 10,000 metres personal best by a whopping 83 seconds to book her place on the plane to Brazil.
Martin’s father is Neil Martin; also an Olympian and a former top British pro who counts the national road title among his many wins.
The family connections mean Neill Martin, his son and daughter-in-law are all Olympians; pretty incredible we think.
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Sean McKenna and his father Mick after junior had ridden in the breakaway at the Worlds in Bergen last year; one of the rides of the season. Matt and Neill Teggart; both in the green of Ireland at the Rás.
Philip Deignan’s wife Lizzie Deignan has been one of the best pro riders in the world for years.
She won Olympic silver in London as well as the world road title, in 2015, and Commonwealth Games title four years ago.
Lizzie Deignan is currently expecting their first child but plans to come back to cycling (after Ireland wins the battle to sign up baby Deignan ahead of Team GB – Ed).
The family connections of Nicolas and Alexis Roche don’t need any introduction; their father the former Tour, Giro and worlds winner Stephen Roche.
And their uncle Laurence was also a former international and pro; and Tour de France cyclist.
Rás stage winner Sean McKenna, who rides for Holdsworth this year, also has international sporting connections.
His father Mick and uncle Ciaran – the latter Cycling Ireland president at present – were international road riders in their day.
Ireland U23 road and TT champion Michael O’Loughlin’s father Martin is also a former multi national champion and elite road race international.
Michael O'Loughlin checking out the Worlds TT course with father Martin, a coach with Cycling Ireland, along for company and advice. Seamus Downey back in the day; both sons - Sean and Mark - took up the mantle on the international scene.
O’Loughlin’s team mates at British Continental-level Team Wiggins are Mark Downey and Matt Teggart.
Downey’s father is cycling Olympian Seamus Downey and his brother is former An Post-Chainreaction rider Sean Downey.
All three Downeys have competed in the Commonwealth Games; Sean winning bronze on the track eight years ago.
And Teggart’s father, Neill, was a talented international rider in his day. He won many races on the home scene; the Rás included in those races he represented Ireland in.
Top Irish rider Eve McCrystal, who has won Paralympic gold and world titles as a sighted pilot for Katie-George Dunlevy – is not the only top athlete in her family.
Her brother, Bryan McCrystal, is on Holdsworth’s roster this year alongside the aforementioned McKenna.
He has been one of the Ireland’s best cyclists and triathletes at different times for many years. He is the Irish Ironman record holder.
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