Who do you believe deserves the award for the best club coach category for 2017?

Ireland has a vibrant coaching scene in Cycling Ireland, with an increasing number of cyclists embarking on their coaching pathway. The below nominations have been submitted by the Cycling Ireland Provinces and Commissions.




Brendan Whelan - Arcane Cycling Team
A talented cyclist on track and road, Brendan has also distinguished himself as a coach for the Arcane Cycling Team, through tireless work with the Women's Commission and helping to set up a women's team within the club. He has also helped get the team pursuit back on the event calendar and played a role in bringing some riders from Cycling Ireland’s 'Bike for Life' all the way to racing national championships within the space of a year.


Cathal Millar - Clontarf Cycling Club
Having moved on from his own cycling career, the Clontarf Cycling Club member now coaches numerous paracycling athletes who represent Ireland at world cup and world championship level. He is currently the Development Coach for the Cycling Ireland Paracycling Commission and his expert coaching is helping several young athletes fulfil their potential, so that they can hopefully follow in his footsteps and compete in international paracycling events.



Dan Curtin - O'Leary Stone Kanturk Cycling Club
Dan Curtin has been involved in youth cycling for over 30 years. At this year's National Youth Championships his club collected over 40 medals - the results speak for themselves.



Gary McKeegan - Team Madigan Cycling Club
Team Madigan's Gary McKeegan was the Northern Irish team coach for the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017, which took place in Bahamas. Gary, who works as a physiologist and lecturer in his daytime job, has been involved in cycling all his life and has helped with many local riders enjoy success at both provincial and national level.





Hugh Byrne - Sundrive Track Team
Sundrive Track Team coach Hugh Byrne is a former recipient of the National Volunteer of the Year award, Hugh gives absolutely selflessly to the track. Amongst other things, he is involved in coordinating training and organising his club’s weekly league.



Mark Harvey - Kinning Cycles
Mark is one of the hardest working people in Irish off-road cycling. He has been involved with coaching youth and adults both through his own club and through the Cycling Ulster Off-Road Commission. He has also travelled over to Great Britain to support Ulster riders competing in the British Series. Mark’s commitment and passion for all things off road cycling has greatly helped progress the sport in Ulster.



Martin O'Loughlin - Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club
Martin has had an outstanding season with both youth and junior riders. The Cycling Ireland National Junior and Youth Coach has enjoyed great success from both a national and international perspective this season. Without his guidance and experience in leading teams this year, the results Ireland enjoyed at events such as the World Road Championships in Bergan, and the World Junior Track Championships in Italy would not have been possible.


Richie Fields - Lucan BMX Club
Richie is a member of the Lucan BMX Club and is passing on his love for BMX through his coaching. Coaching a wide variety of people at different skill levels and ages from four years old to 50+ can be a big challenge for Fields. Fortunately however, Richie is more than capable of facing up to this task, transferring his coaching strategies and knowledge to all of these age groups.