Cycling Ireland's inaugural 'Hall of Fame'; what did you think of this line up?

The inclusion of big names like Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche and then others known more for their administration of the sport such as Pat McQuaid (right) was expected in Cycling Ireland's inaugural Hall of Fame. But the exclusion of people like Paul Kimmage (left) and Martin Earley seemed a little bizarre.

On the occasion of Cycling Ireland's annual dinner at Croke Park, north Dublin, last weekend the federation revealed the line-up for its Hall of Fame.

The inaugural list included some great names from the world of bike racing and those who organise the sport, but there were some notable omissions.

The names of Martin Earley and Paul Kimmage were absent despite being two of the very best riders we have ever produced.

Earley won a stage in the Tour de France and also in the Giro d'Italia, while Kimmage rode with distinction during his amateur career, taking 6th in the World Championships.

And while he perhaps found the professional peloton tougher going, he helped blaze a trail that many young Irish riders are now following on the Continent. His journalism has also very much helped to usher in a cleaner sport for those riding today.

But hopefully the omissions of their names and a few others; John Lackey and Billy Kerr being just two that spring to mind can be corrected in the short term. Others include Ciaran Power, Mark Scanlon, Lawrence Roche, John Brady and Debbie Kane.

Dan Martin won the Irish international rider of the year while Catherine Walsh won the outstanding achievement award.

Let us known on Twitter and Facebook what you thought of the Hall of Fame line-up.

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