At six foot nine, Conor Dunne is someone who stands out in the pro cycling peloton. But the Aqua Blue Sport rider will be even more distinctive for the next 12 months, earning the right to wear the Irish national champion's jersey with a superb performance in Collooney, Sligo.
Dunne was one of the most aggressive in the race and was part of a four-man break which got clear on the seventh of ten laps. He, Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles Omagh), Rás stage winner Robert-Jon McCarthy (JLT-Condor) and Jamie Blanchfield (Panduit Carrick Wheelers) combined to eke out a solid margin over others in the race, including WorldTour riders like Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing Team) and defending champion Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo).
Dunne later pushed onwards with Moore before dropping him on the final lap and powering to the line. Moore held off the chasers for silver, also securing the national under 23 title; Mark Downey (Team Wiggins) won the sprint for bronze. He was second of the under 23 riders, with teammate Michael O'Loughlin third.
"I am super, super proud to win today," he said. "I can't really believe it. It's been a bit of an up and down year – I got a couple of sicknesses through the years, just before I was getting my good form. It was super-frustrating. This last month, I have just been fighting for form again and getting better and better. So I knew I might have a good chance today.
On Saturday Eve McCrystal took a superb victory in the women's championships, beating Lydia Gurley (Aerocoach) and Alice Sharpe (Torelli-Brother). They were part of a four-woman break created by Kelly Murphy (Chapter 2), who won the women's time trial championships on Thursday.
Lara Gillespie (Scott Orwell Wheelers) took the junior women's award ahead of Maeve Gallagher (Castlebar Cycling Club) and Gabriella Homer (Cycle Team Onform).
Adam Ward (Powerhouse Sport) was best in the junior men's race, finishing ahead of Ben Healy (Zappi RT) and Aaron Doherty (NRPT). Healy, the new junior time trial champion, forged the winning move but Ward was faster in the sprint.