Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche reunite for Three Counties Cycle in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick

Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche reunite for Three Counties Cycle 2026 in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick

Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche to reunite on the roads of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary for the Sean Kelly Three Counties Cycle 2026 in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick on Sunday, September 20th

The 2026 Sean Kelly Three Counties Cycle takes place on Sunday, September 20th, with cyclists setting off from TUS Limerick to take on a choice of 50km or 100km routes, crossing through the three counties of Limerick, Tipperary and Clare.

And this year, participants will have the unique opportunity to share the road with not one, but two legends of Irish cycling.

The event’s namesake, cycling great Sean Kelly, will once again lead the way, and he will be joined by Stephen Roche, the only Irish cyclist to win the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and World Road Race Championship in the same year– the remarkable achievement known as the Triple Crown of Cycling.

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The prospect of Kelly and Roche back together on Irish roads promises to make this year’s event a truly memorable occasion for cycling fans and participants alike.

But while the presence of two of Ireland’s greatest cyclists will undoubtedly make this year’s Three Counties Cycle special, the real reason for the event is Down Syndrome Limerick.

The Three Counties Cycle is one of the charity’s major fundraising events, helping to fund the services and supports provided to children and adults with Down syndrome and their families. These include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, adult education and development programmes, employment supports and social activities.

Sean Kelly says, “I’m delighted to be back in Limerick for the Sean Kelly Three Counties Cycle and to see this event continue to grow year after year. It’s always a great day on the bike. This year is particularly special for me as I’ll be joined by Stephen Roche. We have shared many roads and many great moments throughout our cycling careers, so to have the two of us back together on the roads again, this time for such a great cause, will be something special.

“Most importantly, this event is about Down Syndrome Limerick and the incredible work they do. I’m very proud to be associated with it and I’d encourage cyclists from near and far to come along, enjoy the day and the after event and help us raise as much as possible for the charity.”

Michelle Coughlan, Chairperson of Down Syndrome Limerick, says, “The Sean Kelly Three Counties Cycle is hugely important to us. While it is an incredible day of cycling and a wonderful event for our community, at its heart it is about raising vital funds that allow us to continue providing services and supports to people with Down syndrome and their families.

The money raised through this event has a very real impact on the lives of the people we support. It helps us to provide essential services and supports, helping people with Down syndrome realise their ambitions and reach their full potential.

We are incredibly grateful to every cyclist who takes part, to Sean Kelly for his continued support, and this year to Stephen Roche for joining us. We are also hugely thankful to our volunteers, sponsors and everyone who works behind the scenes to make the event possible.

This year’s cycle promises to be an epic day, with two Irish cycling legends back on the roads together, but the real winners will be the children, adults and families supported by Down Syndrome Limerick. We hope people will get on their bikes, enjoy the challenge and help us make this year’s event our biggest and best yet.”

The Sean Kelly Three Counties Cycle takes place on Sunday, September 20th, starting from TUS Limerick at 9am. Cyclists can choose between 50km and 100km routes, taking in Limerick, Tipperary and Clare.

You can register online through EventMaster HERE.