Kearney Kicks Off New Season In Style - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

The long winter break was finally over for the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane drivers as they headed to Mondello Park for the first two rounds of the 2026 season. The sun was out along with new colour schemes and also a new female driver to Formula Sheane in many years. Mondello Park have now taken over the series led by Leo Nulty and a big promotional push is planned with lots of new interest already in the class by several newcomers. It would be great to see it grow back to a large field once again and keep the late David Sheane's memory and philosophy alive by having an affordable racing class for drivers. 

While Carlow man Kearney was the hot favourite for the win, it was anyone's for the other two places on the podiums. Qualifying backed the bookies odds as Kearney took pole position by a massive 1.9 seconds from Garrett McKenna and Sean Kiernan. With showers floating around and causing some minor headaches for drivers and teams in the morning thankfully they stayed away come race time.

Kevin Igoe leads Tom Foley during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

 As the light went out for race one Kearney took the lead from the off and lead the field into turn one. His fellow Carlow man Mike Dermody had to start from the back of the grid after problems in qualifying, but his blood was up and drove superbly in the opening laps to cut through the field all the way to second place. He settled into a race long battle with Sean Kiernan, Garret McKenna and Tom Foley. The rookie to the class Roisin Sweeney was showing no signs of first day nerves and her previous Global Light racing experience was paying off as she was in touch with the group battle for second. Giving that she had no testing prior to the weekend and her first taste of formula racing was in qualifying, it was a brilliant display. 

Garrett McKenna leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Sean Kiernan leads Mike Dermody during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

By mid race she had got up to fourth setting very fast times just a half a second off leader Kearney but a spin at the final corner dropped her right back but she had made her point. Kearney did what he does best and puts in quick lap after quick lap and built his lead and was never in trouble. Behind him though McKenna and Foley had gapped Kiernan enough to duke it out in the final laps for the last two podium spots. Dermody who had got up to second couldn't hold on to his early momentum and dropped back to fifth. McKenna put in a quick couple of laps at the end to secure second from Foley. It was Kearney's race however and to show how hard he drove he set a new lap record with a 56.636 second lap.

Roisin Sweeney leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Tom Foley leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Mike Dermody leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

For race two it was again Kearney who lead into turn one from McKenna who locked up his inside wheel and was close to colliding with Kearney but he stopped just in time and also hold on to his place. Sean Kiernan made a better start and got up to third hounding McKenna in the early laps but could not find a way by. Mike Dermody again made a good start and was up to fifth early on and behind him Roisin Sweeney and Kevin Igoe were having a great battle. Foley this time could not match the pace of those in front but still was close enough to pick up the pieces if anything were to go wrong.

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Try as he might Kiernan could not get past McKenna and now Dermody was on his tail as well as Sweeney and on top of that his engine began to loose power. By half distance once again barring mechanical trouble Kearney had it in the bag. Though not setting lap records this time he once again showed why he is the reigning champion. It was hotting up behind him though now the race was drawing to a close, as Dermody had moved into third and Sweeney into fourth. Sweeney was again putting in the times faster than those ahead but just couldn't find a way past McKenna and Dermody. McKenna was up to the challenge despite several lock ups into turn one and held firm. Both second and third placed men stayed at the same pace ensuring neither would pull away or close in anymore. As Kearney crossed the line eight seconds clear he lay down the marker for those to match next time out. McKenna came home in second another good result with Dermody third, Sweeney fourth and Foley fifth.

  

The next round will bring a different challenge to the drivers at the fast Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in county Down.

Kearney's Double At Bishopscourt - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For round three of the Airportcar.ie Formula Sheane championship drivers made their way to Bishopscourt Racing Circuit north of the border in county Down. The welcomed change of venue is only used once a year and this year is the first time the class has be back since before the Covid outbreak. The 1.830 mile track is fast and flowing with some quick chicanes and tricky hairpins. 

Weather was good for  qualifying where Richard Kearney wanted to make amends for his DNF in round two last time out at Mondello. With Philip Sheane not taking part this weekend it would be hard to see if Kearney would be pushed hard at one of his favourite tracks. Qualifying times would prove that the others had much time to find. Kearney claimed pole position by a massive 3.209 seconds! Richie Adams was the closest to him which shows he is carrying his good form on from Mondello Park last month. It has to be said the problems of sourcing tyres due to manufacturing problems has left drivers with old rubber which they also have to make last two races. So qualifying times did not tell the full story. 

Richard Kearney, Sheane, leads Mark Keenan, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

As the lights went out Kearney got the best start and lead the field as they made the long run down to the first left hand bend Brock's. Richie Adams got so much wheelspin off the line he dropped to last by the first turn. Mark Keenan got a flyer too and and made up several places off the line and by the end of lap one he was up to second and chasing down Kearney. Chris Dunne held third ahead of Garrett McKenna, and Mike Dermody. Poor Tom Foley in his first race this year ended with mechanical failure on the warm-up lap. Kearney who had a DNF in the previous round at Mondello was out to make amends this time and opened up a sizable lead by the end of lap two. Keenan hung on though and left Dunne behind in third. His speed has carried on from the opening round but try as he might just could close the gap to Kearney. 

Mark Keenan, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg

By mid race distance the tyre issue all drivers were having came into play with times dropping off and some clearly lacking grip. That said Kearney was driving superb not missing an apex an clearly had his car setup well. Adams had an eventful race, making his way back up to fourth but dropped back to sixth as his car refused to play ball with him and handling problems cost him lots of time. McKenna also had a busy race having a steady run in fourth but at the half way mark he was back to seventh but got himself back up to fourth again by the flag. Kearney reeled off the final laps to take a comfortable win. Keenan continued his good form this season by taking second with Chris Dunne taking third. 

Chris Dunne, Sheane, leads Richie Adams, Sheane, and Garrett McKenna, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For race two again Kearney made the best start like in race one and headed the field into turn one. Garrett McKenna got a great start and moved into second ahead of Keenan, not what the Meath publican wanted as he knew Kearney would get away. McKenna's joy was short lived as he spun at the chicane letting not only Kennan through but also the whole field although he did get back up to sixth by the end of the race. Keenan set about closing down Kearney who again was in his groove and setting fastest times each lap. Tom Foley made repairs to his car and had a great run in fourth place keep more experienced drivers like Richie Adams and Garrett McKenna behind him.

Chris Dunne, Sheane, leads Garrett McKenna, Sheane, during the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

 Bishopscourt has been a happy hunting ground for the Leighlindbridge man, who was on course to make it four wins in a row at the county Down track. He got his car setup right and it showed easily keeping his corner speed up through faster sections of the track over his rivals. Chris Dunne had a lonely race in third in his freshly painted car for this round. The race petered out from mid distance with the gaps staying the same. Kearney again reeled off the laps and took an easy win to make it a clean sweep with Pole position, two wins and two fastest laps.

Richard Kearney, Sheane, on his way to winning the two Formula Sheane races. Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Bishopscourt, Co. Down. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Mark Keenan came home in second to take home a solid points haul. Chris Dunne did the same with his second podium of the weekend. Speaking with the victor after the race he was in expected buoyant form,

 " I'm really happy with winning the two races, the car was on point all weekend and I love the circuit. It has been good to me and that's four in a row now, I'm Over the moon to be honest."

Results:

Race 1

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Chris Dunne

Race 2

1st Richard Kearney

2nd Mark Keenan

3rd Chris Dunne

Sheane Makes It A Double - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

09-04-2022:Philip Sheane, Sheane, holds up his Championship trophy for winning the 2021 Formula Sheane Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

For race two the grid was again in reverse order and Richie Adams once more lead the field into turn one. Mike Dermody initially made a good start but slotted in behind Adams. The two quick men at the back in Sheane and Adams made light work of the field this time and sliced through the field in the opening laps. Sheane made a much better start in this one and by the end of lap one was up to second place. 

09-04-2022: Richie Adams, Sheane, leads Philip Sheane, Sheane, into turn one during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Chris Dunne made a rare mistake and spun at the first corner dropping to last and gave himself a lot of work to do for the remainder of the race. The experience of leading in the early part of race on, helped Adams enormously in this one. He wasn't going to give up the lead easy and fought off Sheane over the next number of laps.

09-04-2022: Philip Sheane, Sheane, leads Richard Kearney, Sheane, into turn one during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Then disaster struck the third place man Kearney, a broken throttle cable sidelining the Carlow man just as he was closing in on the front two. This elevated Mike Dermody back up to third, but he was coming under increasing pressure from Garrett McKenna in fourth and by lap four he was past. On the same lap Sheane made his move for the lead and got through. 

09-04-2022: Brendan Carr, Sheane, leads Garrett McKenna, Sheane, into turn one during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

09-04-2022: Mark Keenan, Sheane, leads Brendan Carr, Sheane, into turn one during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Anyone who thought he was going clear off from here was wrong as he was repassed by Adams a lap later. The Dublin musician was playing the gig of his life in this one and again held his lead for the next couple of laps. Sheane again got by but his lead only lasted a lap. Adams found another way by if the first was good this was up there with it. Brendan Carr and Mark Keenan were also having a good scrap of there own, but the clutch issue was still hampering Keenan as he didn't have the pace he had at the start of race one. 

09-04-2022:Garrett McKenna, Sheane, in action during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

09-04-2022:Chris Dunne, Sheane, in action during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Chris Dunne however, was flying back up through the pack and by lap twelve was back up to fifth. Carr sadly again was forced out with mechanical issues. McKenna was safe in third. By lap eight Sheane was into the lead again and this time he got his head down a pulled out a gap and a pace Adams could not match. He set the fastest lap of the race with a 58.355 seconds. 

09-04-2022: Richard Kearney, Sheane, retired due to a broken throttle cable from the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

He cruised home to take the chequered flag to make it two from two and it was a fitting and deserved double to bring some joy to the Sheane family this week. It was great to see new faces on the podium with Adams and McKenna taking second and third. 

09-04-2022: Mike Dermody, Sheane, in action during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Next race in in Bishopscourt in county Down in four weeks time. With Sheane not down to race there could be a new name on the winners trophy at the fast flowing northern circuit.

09-04-2022:Philip Sheane, Sheane, centre, Richie Adams, left, and Garrett McKenna, right, after the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Results:

1st Philip SHeane

2nd Richie Adams

3rd Garrett McKenna

4th Mark Keenan

5th Chris Dunne

6th Mike Dermody

Sheane Wins Season Opener - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

The first car race meeting of the year usually fills competitors and fans with a sense of joy and relief that the long winter break is over. They can get back to getting the fix of adrenaline and catch up with friends in the paddock they have not seen since the last race meeting of 2021.

Members of the Sheane Family with Formula Sheane and Formula Vee drivers on the grid ahead of the opening race. Photo: Barry Cregg

One friend that sadly will not be in the paddock anymore is David Sheane. The man who epitomized sport in motorsport. The Blainroe man who brought Formula Vee to Ireland and help so many people because of this race at an affordable cost compared to other classes by designing and building his own cars for over 40 years. In the year 2000 he once again helped the the clubman by introducing a new class that were more powerful than a vee but cheaper to run that a Formula Ford. Now in its twenty second year Formula Sheane is still going strong. As a mark of respect driver from both Formula Vee and Formula Sheane gathered on the grid and gave a minutes round of applause in memory of David. 

Members of the Sheane Family with Formula Sheane and Formula Vee drivers on the grid ahead of the opening race. Photo: Barry Cregg

Richie Adams leads the field into turn one during the Formula Sheane race.
Photo: Barry Cregg 

Richie Adams leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race.
Photo: Barry Cregg 

When the cars lined up for the first Formula Sheane race of the day it would be a reversed grid to that of the qualifying results. The class wanted to make it a bit more interesting for the spectators and drivers alike. Richie Adams and newcomer Mike Dermody found themselves lining up on the front row with favourites Philip Sheane and Richard Kearney starting on the back row. As the lights went out it was Adams who raced ahead and lead the field into turn one followed by Brendan Carr. Mark Keenan was in third but mad short work of Carr to get up to second place. Starting from the back is always hard but can also be easy to get caught up in another person accident. So care has to be taken in the opening laps until the races settles down. Kearney and Sheane knew this and both kept out of trouble although Sheane got the worst start over Kearney and made a bit more work for himself than he had to. 

Mark Keenan lead the opening laps until his clutch began to slip during the Formula Sheane race. Photo: Barry Cregg 

Keenan was on a flyer and by lap two he was in the lead. Adams though was not for letting him get away and hung on closely behind. Behind these two Brendan Carr after a good start had mechanical issues and dropped to the back of the grid and eventually retired. Garrett McKenna and Chris Dunne settled into a battle of their own. By now Kearney and Sheane were moving up the field rapidly and were closing in on the first three. 

Philip Sheane, rubs wheels with Mark Keenan during the Formula Sheane race. Photo: Barry Cregg 

By lap 5 Sheane had moved into second with Kearney right behind in third but a lap later the roles reversed allowing Keenan another lap in the lead. By lap 8 he was back to third but could not hold the pace of the two men ahead although a slipping clutch did not help matters.   

Richie Adams leads Garrett McKenna during the Formula Sheane race.
Photo: Barry Cregg 

Garrett McKenna leads Richie Adams during the Formula Sheane race.
Photo: Barry Cregg

         

Now the two fastest men were out on their own. The more cars on the grid the better it is for the class but sometimes it only takes two to make a race. In typical Formula Sheane style this was turning into another thriller. Both Kearney and Sheane pushed each other as hard as they could. Kearney sliding his car on the exit of turns one and two as he tried to put the power down as early as he could. Sheane hounded the Carlow man in what had to be a race he wanted to win so badly for his late cousin David and as he is not contesting a full year this year it made it all the more important. 

Richard Kearney, leads Philip Sheane, and Mark Keenan during the Formula Sheane race. Photo: Barry Cregg 

Richard Kearney, during the Formula Sheane race. Photo: Barry Cregg 

With time running out he made his move with three laps to go and pushed ahead on the last lap to take the chequered flag. Behind the top three Garrett McKenna and Richie Adams had a ding-dong battle of their own swapping places three times with McKenna coming out on top this time.

A fitting winner for the first of the two scheduled for the day in what was a difficult week. It was nice to see new men up the front for a while which gave them experience that will stand to them as the season goes on. 

Results:

1st Philip Sheane

2nd Richard Kearney

3rd Mark Keenan

4th Garrett McKenna

5th Richie Adams

6th Chris Dunne

7th Mike Dermody

Roddy Wins Threeway Thriller - Formula Sheane Championship Round 9

Derek Roddy leads Richie Adams and Richard Kearney on the opening lap of the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The Formula Sheane circus made their way to Mondello Park for the ninth round the 2021 championship. The series trophy is still up for grabs but now only two drivers have a chance to claim it. To make it even more interesting this years title could go to a class newcomer if Philip Sheane takes it but the consistency shown by Derek Roddy since round three has brought him to be the second contender to take home the silverware.

Philip Sheane leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Vee race, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Back on to the international track for this meeting and the final trip to the county Kildare circuit for the year, meant the drivers would have a more physical challenge than the shorter national track last time out. The weather was going to be mixed going by the forecast so setup was crucial and driving had to be more precise if conditions varied. At the last Mondello race Philip Sheane dominated in the wet conditions and continued his form in qualifying this time out by taking pole by a massive 3.997 seconds ahead of Derek Roddy. If the weather stayed wet it would be hard to see him being caught. 

Richard Kearney spoke of his wet weather troubles at the last meeting and again wasn't confident after qualifying. " I can't figure out the problem with the car when it is wet it may need a full strip down to check the chasis for cracks. If it dries up I know I have the pace to be up the front but only if it's dry." 

Derek Roddy leads Philip Sheane and Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

He must have prayed hard in the break in between qualifying and the race as the weather brightened up and the sun dried the track significantly. There still were some damp patches to look out for but by in large it was a dry track. As the lights went out it was Roddy who made a brilliant start to beat Sheane off the line to lead into turn one. Sheane's bad start allowed both Kearney and also Richie Adams to get by with Adams moving into second at turn two. Sheane wasn't down for long as he passed Kearney into turn three and a lovely move on the outside of turn four demoted Adams down another place. Kearney followed Sheane and was also passed Adams on the run onto the international loop. Roddy in his freshly painted car set about making a break from his pursuers and had made a small gap by the end of lap two.

Philip Sheane leads Richard Kearney during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek Roddy leads Richard Kearney and Philip Sheane during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

However Sheane and Kearney worked together and by lap four they were right on the back of Roddy. Now we would see for the first time since he got his engine problems sorted, if Roddy could match bothe Kearney and Sheane in a full race. Would Sheane have more pace and pull away if he got by or would Kearney repeat his first round dominance prior to his mechanical problems. Firt both had to get past Roddy who was driving his best race of the year if not ever as he soaked up the pressure from the two younger men in second and third.

Philip Sheane leads Richie Adams and Richard Kearney on the opening lap of the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Richie Adams leads Chris Dunne during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Kearney made his move by getting past Sheane on lap six proving he did have his car sorted for a dry track but try as he might he could not break Roddy and by the penultimate lap he was back to third. Even with these changes the first three were nose to tail to whole way. Sheane again tried hard on the last lap, even taking the fastest time with 1.52.676 but Roddy had it covered to take a thoroughly deserved win and really keep the fight alive for the championship. Sheane did his best and second meant he didn't loose as much points to Roddy if he had finished third. Kearney tried but just couldn't find a way by either men. A good result  and another podium for the Carlow man who has had a year of mechanical hell so far.

Derek Roddy on his way to winning the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Speaking after the race the victor was both joyed and relieved that he got the win." I really enjoyed that, it was a great race and so hard to keep the two boys behind me the whole race. Thanks to Enda for setting up the car perfectly it didn't miss a beat."

In the Scholarship class Garret McKenna took the win after taking the lead at the end of lap one. He got away from the chasing pack of Richie Adams, Chris Dunne and Tom Foley who all had swapped places throughout the race until Foley retired with a broke rose joint. Dunne seemed to have second place but was pipped on the penultimate lap by Adams. It was another great battle to watch and great to see the newcomers now all on the same pace. 

Garrett McKenna on his way to victory in the scholarship class during the Formula Sheane race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Results

Formula Sheane National Championship

1st Derek Roddy

2nd Philip Sheane

3rd Richard Kearney

Scholarship Class

1st Garrett McKenna

2nd Richie Adams

3rd Chris Dunne