Paul Kennedy opened his season on March 1st with a win at the Lacey Cup and now 3½ months on his pronounced winning running appears to be gathering pace (Photo: Caroline Kerley)
Paul Kennedy's 2026 is going from ‘good’ to ‘even better’ as the Burren CC man has taken another strong victory. This time he proved best in Rás Luimni after powering clear of the winning breakaway a long way from the finish.
Kennedy got his season underway at the start of March by winning the Lacey Cup and now 3½ months later he is still in top form as his latest victory suggests.
In between those triumphs he has won a stage and the overall at Rás Mhaigh Eo and was also best at the John Drumm Cup, Reddy A+U City Centre Criterium, Crotty Cup and the masters race at the National Criterium Championships in Dublin last month.
Kennedy was among an eight-rider breakaway that got clear very soon after the start in the three-lap 90km Rás Luimni. After cooperating well to ensure they would not be caught, the attacking began in the front group shortly after the last lap commenced.
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And though nothing initially stuck, Kennedy picked his moment, and proved strong, after over 70km riding in the breakaway, when he attacked and got clear solo.
He then switched into TT mode for the last 15km, opening a very sizeable gap that ensured he had plenty of time to celebrate on reaching the finish.
Behind him, Daragh McGee (O'Leary Stone Kanturk CC) was best of the rest for 2nd place, with Daniel Bresnan (Greenmount CA) rounding out the podium on the night.
Oran O'Callaghan (O'Leary Stone Kanturk CC) was 4th with Ruari Woods (Burren CC) in 5th and Dermot Radford (Dan Morrissey CT) completing the top six.
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In the C3 race, Stephen Gillman (O'Leary Stone Kanturk CC) claimed victory from Dean O'Brien (Blarney CC) and Paul Collins (Newcastlewest CC).
Gabrielle Fox (Valencia SAV) won the women's event ahead of Amy Kinsella (Carrick Wheelers) and Siobhan Ardener (Newcastlewest CC).
Tues, June 9th | Rás Luimni
Promoted by Limerick Cycling Club
Birdhill-R445 Circuit
C1–2 Race (90km)
- Paul Kennedy Burren CC
- Daragh McGee O'Leary Stone Kanturk CC
- Daniel Bresnan Greenmount CA
- Oran O'Callaghan O'Leary Stone Kanturk CC
- Ruari Woods Burren CC
- Dermot Radford Dan Morrissey CT
- Hugh Og Mulhearne Asvillemur Cyclisme
- Ciaran O'Sullivan Greenmount CA
Unplaced C2
- Marc Blain,Galway Bay CCC
C3 Race
- Stephen Gillman O'Leary Stone Kanturk CC
- Dean O'Brien Blarney CC
- Paul Collins Newcastlewest CC
- Sean Conroy Greenmount CA
- Patrick Dundas Unattached Munster
- Richard Quinn Club Rothaíochta na Sionainne
- Dara Ryan Limerick CC
- Neil Deegan Usher Irish Road Club
Women's Podium
- Gabrielle Fox Valencia SAV
- Amy Kinsella Carrick Wheelers
- Siobhan Ardener Newcastlewest CC
