Men’s M40 & M45 Preview – National Titles Battle in Kilmacthomas

M40 and M45 National Titles Battle Set for Kilmacthomas as Contenders Line Out.

The 2026 Irish Masters Road Race Championships head to Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford this Sunday, 13th September, with Dungarvan Cycling Club promoting a strong programme of racing.

Six laps of a 20 km circuit for a total of 120 km, starting at 1.30 pm, await the combined M40/M45 open race.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in each age band, with riders competing specifically for their own age-group national champion’s jersey. An individual can only win a medal in the age category to which they belong.

There is also one team prize (three gold medals) for the combined race. Based on numbers entered, the eligible squads are Lucan CRC, Burren CC, and Carlow RCC.

M40 Preview

Twenty-five riders (numbered 1–25) are set to contest the Men’s Masters 40 Road Race for the national title.

McCarter chasing gold after 2025 silver

Darragh McCarter, Caldwell Powerhouse Racing, will be looking to go one better than his silver medal from the 2025 championships.

The experienced rider arrives with another Rás Tailteann in the legs and ranks among the leading favourites to pull on the national champion’s jersey.

Shannon in consistent form

Mark Shannon, Burren Cycling Club, has enjoyed a solid and consistent season. Top-10 finishes in his last eight races, including podiums on Stage 3 of the O’Leary Stone Kanturk 3 Day and Stage 2 of the Newry 3 Day, mark him out as a major threat.

Shannon also claimed the Munster M40 Road Race title recently and took bronze in the 2026 M40 Masters ITT yesterday. He is one of the riders to watch closely in Waterford.

Experience counts with Men of the Rás contenders

Mark Dowling, Velo Revolution / Speed Queen, an 11-time Man of the Rás, is showing fine second-half form.

He took second in Round 2 of the Mondello Series before a close finish at the Peter Bidwell Memorial (pipped by Luke Smith of Moynalty CC) and produced a solid showing the following day at the Brendan & Kitty Campbell Memorial Race.

Another multiple Man of the Rás, Stuart Cox, Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar CC, brings a wealth of experience to the start line.

The seasoned campaigner will be aiming to translate that hard-earned knowledge into a strong result on championship day.

Carlow numbers could prove decisive

Carlow RCC field four riders and may use their numerical strength to influence the race. Thomas Anthony Lawlor and Eoin Bailey, Carlow RCC, both produced strong rides at Mondello Series Round 7 and could have a say in how the medals are decided.

They are joined by teammates Brian Doran and Kieran Fitzgerald.

Other names to note
The field also includes Colin Clavin, Streamstown Cycling Club, and Robert Wade, Unattached Munster, Gold and Silver respectively in yesterday’s 2026 M40 Masters ITT, as well as local rider Daryl Kearns, Dungarvan CC, who are capable of featuring in the decisive moves and delivering a possible surprise.

M40 Men’s start list.

M45 Preview

Reigning champion

In the M45, 31 riders (numbered 51–81) take to the start line vying for the title. A really interesting battle is in prospect, with several in-form riders who have enjoyed exceptional seasons to date.

The reigning champion Ronan Killeen, Lucan CRC, will certainly not relinquish his title without a full-out defence. He has worn the jersey with distinction this season.

What a year it’s been in the Irish Masters National Champs jersey and I’ve been blessed to win 3 races in it! Whatever happens in tomorrow’s Nationals I’ll look back on the year with fond memories with my good friends in Lucan CRC.

– Ronan Killeen, Reigning M45 National Road Race Champion

A win in the Mick Beggan Memorial was followed by impressive podiums just behind rising Irish talents Killian O’Brien and Ronan O’Connor, and Matthew Walls, in the Seán Nolan Meath Grand Prix and Maxi Maguire GP respectively. He is an easy candidate for the race-favourite tag.

The challenger

Another clear favourite is Paul Kennedy, Burren CC, who has been enjoying an absolutely superb season with multiple wins and podium visits.

Highlights include a double on Kerry soil with both the Lacey and Drumm Cups, a stage and the GC at the Rás Maigh Eo, Stage 2 ITT in the PJ O’Riordan Memorial, and the latest being the 2026 Masters M45 ITT Gold.

Both Killeen and Kennedy will have a couple of teammates by their sides, which could prove a factor.

Other contenders

2025 bronze medalist Michael Storan, West Clare Cycling Club, will also be one to watch. A highly experienced rider who looked more than comfortable in the break on Stage 3 of the PJ O’Riordan and finished 7th on GC in Athea, he is a definite contender.

Drew McKinley, Newry Wheelers, is another rider who can pull out a big performance. He took Stage 1 of the Carn 2-Day (C2) and third at the Noel Teggart Memorial 2026 (C2) before promotion to C1, where he has been mixing it with the best.

The outsiders

Potential outsiders include Frank Barrett, The Aura Cycling Team, who finished third overall and first M40 at the recent Connacht Road Race Championships, and Stuart McCaughey, Phoenix CC, who had a good run in the 2025 edition and took silver in yesterday’s 2026 Masters ITT.

M45 Men’s start list.

The combined M40/M45 race looks set to deliver high-quality racing, with strong favourites, deep experience and numerical strength from several clubs all in the mix for national titles.

FULL STARTERS LISTS FOR M40/M45 – M50/M50 – M60/M65/M70 – WM40/WM50