Cycling Ireland has named the 13 junior riders it has selected for its development pathway for 2025, the programme run by the national governing body that aims to identify talent and nurture it towards elite-level racing.
While most of the riders selected focus mainly on road, a number of athletes whose primary disciplines are cyclocross and mountain biking have also been selected for the programme this time around.
Michael Black, Cycling Ireland's high-performance pathway lead, said the group of riders selected for what is the sixth running of the programme reflected the "incredible growth" across the junior ranks in all disciplines in recent years.
"The talent pool is deeper than ever, making it both exciting and challenging to identify a select group of riders who are ready to take the next step," he said.
Advertisement
"Our goal with the performance pathway programme is to create a comprehensive environment where athletes can learn, develop, and thrive at their own pace, equipping them for the demands of elite competition.
Related News
“What’s unique about this programme is that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Every rider’s journey is different, and we aim to provide tailored support that addresses their individual needs. The focus is on long-term growth—building not just strong cyclists, but resilient athletes who can successfully transition to the elite level.”
The riders selected are:
- Aliyah Rafferty (Tofauti Everyone Active)
- Cameron Henry (U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant)
- Conor Murphy (U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant)
- Curtis McKee (Spellman Dublin Port)
- David Gaffney (Team 31 Jolly Cycles)
- Greta Lawless (Team WORC)
- Hugh Og Mulhearne (AS Villemur Cyclisme)
- Jack Woods (Crabbé-DSTNY)
- Maximilian Fitzgerald (JEGG-DJR Academy U19)
- Philip O'Connor (Dungarvan CC)
- Rory Condon (O'Leary Stone Kanturk)
- Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL)
- Toby Sweetman (VC Glendale)
Martyn Irvine, the former world champion on the track who is now a high performance pathway coach, said he was really looking forward to working with the 13 riders.
“This programme is about much more than just developing fast riders—it’s about shaping resilient, well-rounded athletes who can thrive in the high-performance environment," he said.
"It’s exciting to work with this group of talented juniors and guide them through their next steps in the sport. The skills, experiences, and insights they’ll gain as part of this programme will be invaluable as they progress in their careers.”
