I first started cycling in 1983 with my dad and brother Jim and Paul Kennedy. We just did handy cyles to start with as I was only 14 and Paul was only 13 at the time. We ended up doing spins out as far as Naul which seemed miles away back then. The following year myself, Paul and Jim joined Lesjeunes cycling club which met up in Ballymun and it was only down the road. I didn’t have much success the first year only a few placings and one second place.
3rd place in Mondello 1985, U16 school boy champs.
Your best season?I suppose my best season would have to be 1993 where I won 3 races in March and was second in 3 and was placed in the other races I did, I followed this up with 3rd on the first stage of the Girvan 3 day in Scotland and 3rd overall while competing on the Irish team. I was then selected for the Ruban Granitier 6 day in France followed by the ras and two weeks later I did the Tour of Britain. But there are other races which stand out for me including my first ras in 1989 when I was 9th overall after 3 stages but then had a lot of bad luck, puncturing out of the leading group and everyone driving by. I won 8 races in my second year senior and the ras showed me that I was able to compete against the top riders. I was fourth in the all Ireland road race and we won the team prize. In 1993 I clocked up 25,000km between racing and training.
Ras, Donegal, 1991, easing up on the right too early, getting second.
What result/performance are you most proud of?I have ridden the ras 7 times and have been top ten overall 3 times, including 2nd on 2 stages and numerous top ten stage placings and also first team.
Center shot in Stuttgart, 1991, 100km TTT.
No disc wheel due to a mechanical.
Memories of racing (or touring) overseas?I have raced overseas on several occasions including Japan, Stuggtart, Isle of Man, Scotland, France and Italy.
Stuttgart, 1991.
This wheel had to be changed on the start line.
When things go wrong (Or the one that got away)?
I was in Italy in 1992 on the Olympic training squad for 3 weeks of training when on the fourth day I hit a dog while descending at about 40mph and ended up in hospital for 4 days and then flew home with a broken collarbone and broken teeth, we didn’t wear helmets out training in those days and I also split my head open but was probably lucky. Also one that got away was a stage of the ras where I was in the leading break by a couple of minutes when the five of us came in to the finish and I was leading around the final bend but unfortunately eased up too early and was pipped on the line.
Snowcream International.
Best riders (amateur) that you have ridden against?One of the best amateurs I have ridden against is Kevin Kimmage who was also a teammate and a training partner, he won every race he focussed on including the Rás stages and overall and a great stage win in the tour of Britain. I was also on the Irish team in the tour of Britain with Conor Henry in 1993 the year after he won it and he certainly had some talent.
Pictured (far left, bottom pic) with Chris Boardman (at the front)
in Cycling Weekly. 6th place overall.
Best Irish sprinter you've competed against?The best Irish sprinters I have competed against are two teammates Paul Kennedy and Kevin Kimmage and we worked very well together and often got first 3 in a race or at least first two.
At the front of a schoolboy race, with Barry Byrne on the wheel.
Biggest influences in your career?Biggest influence in my career would be my dad for all the support he gave me for the 11 years that I raced for 1985-1995, he is a true cycling fan to this day and has been to about 50 world cycling championships around the world. Also another big influence would have to be Kevin Kimmage who was a regular training partner and teammate in my senior years. He was very driven and committed and didn’t do things by half measures and we trained very hard together and it was all about getting results. My mam was also very supportive in my racing days as she drove me all around the country to races.
U16 crit, Dublin City. Second in line.
How long with Swords & why you joined?I have been with Swords for 3 years now since I started back cycling at the age of 40, it is hard to balance training and racing with 3 young kids so I will have to settle with the club league. I joined swords because of the club league and my brother Jim has been a member for years.
With Robert Vinovski in the Ras, 1989.
Favourite present day professional?Favourite present day pros are Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd, both very good aggressive riders and good allrounders.
Poster boy for Irish Cycling.
Last stage of the 1989 Ras in Dun Laoighaire.
Paul Kennedy in the background.
Favourite pro sprinter?I don’t really have a favourite sprinter but without a doubt Cavendish is the fastest by a long way, I would prefer if Hushovd or Gilbert could beat him.
Best one day pro race?Favourite one day pro races are the Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders for the great roads that these races are run on.
Present bike?My present bike is a Giant TCR Advanced with a Campag Super Record groupset, it is the best bike I have ever ridden on but I cannot really do it justice.
What do you love most about cycling?What I most love about cycling is the pain you can dish out to people when you are going well and you can really push yourself to the limit. I also love the team spirit when you are with a good group of riders.
Interested in any other sports?I am interested in rugby and a bit of golf and skiing.
Best cycling book you have read?Paul Kimmage's A Rough Ride.
What advice would you give to 1st year racer?
The advice I would give to a first year racer would be to learn how to suffer and have patience waiting on results as there is only one winner. Just enjoy your cycling and do plenty of it. To turn good performances into good results I would watch experienced racers for their training methods and also how they race. Look and learn.
