The transfer to the Cork-based Aquablue team of four of UCD CC's strongest riders has created a formidable team heading into the new season. Among the four are Greg Swinand, Anthony Walsh and Sean McKenna - pictured by Sean Rowe taking a 1-2-3 in the Newbridge GP at the start of last year. Colm Cassidy joins them in the move.
Less than a month after news emerged that the Aquablue team had been weakened by some of its riders departing, momentum has swung its way again with a group of UCD men deciding to join the Timmy Barry-led outfit.
Sean McKenna, Greg Swinand, Anthony Walsh and Colm Cassidy will link up with the squad for 2015, marrying forces with some other really strong riders.
Former Tralee BC-Manor West Hotel man and one-time Olympic rower Cathal Moynihan confirmed last month he would be in the team for the coming campaign.
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Strongman Neil Delahaye and the prolific Sean Lacey are among a number of riders staying with the team, making it one of the very strongest in the country.
The quartet departing UCD CC is making the move not because of any falling out with that club.
The decision to move on has been made for some of them by a rule within UCD restricting former students to competing in college colours for a maximum of three years after graduation.
Colm Cassidy is a powerhouse, especially against the clock. He was second to Michael Hutchinson in the elite men's time trial by just one second at the National Road Championships in Westmeath last June (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
UCD CC and Aquablue CC have been firm rivals over the last number of years and with some of their main men combining for 2015, it should make for a fascinating season on the road.
The transfer of the UCD quartet also comes after three top riders in the shape of Bryan McCrystal, Damien Shaw and Joe Fenlon confirmed late last year they were departing Aquablue for the new six-man Team ASEA.
Sprinter Robin Kelly and national vets' road race champion Keith Gater also departed Aquablue in recent months in favour of a return to Waterrford Racing Club, of which both were founder members.
Of the four now departing UCD for Aquablue, all have the potential to win major honours.
Anthony Walsh has raced in France and North America and has the legs to take significant victories at home in the year ahead (Photo: George Doyle)
Sean McKenna is an emerging talent and was the country’s top rider in Cycling Ireland's A1 rankings at the end of last season.
The 20-year-old held the yellow jersey in Kerry Group Rás Mumhan for a day last Easter while riding on an Irish development selection.
He also took the Leinster road race title last year as well as the Seamus Kennedy Memorial, Peter Bidwell Memorial, Noel Teggart Memorial and two stages in the Bogman Two Day in Galway at the end of August.
It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop under the stewardship of his new team principal Barry, himself a former international and winner of some of the country's biggest races.
Neil Delahaye leads the breakaway at the National Road Race Championships in June; he is staying with Aquablue for 2015 (Photo: George Doyle)
Anthony Walsh was once again very aggressive last season; rarely being outside the top five in the early part of the season and riding selflessly for his team on many occasions.
He took podium places in the Lacey Cup, the Mick Lally Memorial, the Cycleways Cup, the final stage of Rás Mumhan and the Newbridge GP, as well as filling some of the minor placings in many other events.
Walsh also won a stage at the Ballinrobe Two Day last August.
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Greg Swinand is the reigning Irish veterans' time trial champion and despite being in his late 40s is still one of the most highly respected riders on the domestic circuit.
He had ridden for Usher IRC up until the end of the 2013 season when he decided to join UCD.
Swinand in the yellow jersey at the Tour of Ulster this year; he took the lead by winning stage 1 alone in great style after 100 miles (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
That transfer proved to rejuvenate Swinand's career and he stormed to some very impressive victories last season; winning solo on more than once occasion by a considerable margin from quality opposition.
As well as holding the yellow jersey in the Tour of Ulster after winning the 100-mile opening stage, he won the Newbridge GP in March, from team mates Walsh and McKenna.
He also won the Stamullen GP solo in April, the Deenside Cup in early June, the vets' TT title in Blarney in August and the vets' national pursuit title in Dublin in September.
Colm Cassidy was second to Michael Hutchinson in the elite men's time trial by just one second at the National Road Championships in Westmeath last June.
Having won some of Ireland's biggest races, Sean Lacey remains with Aquablue and can win big again.
Cassidy won the Bogman Two Day overall in August after scooping the stage 2 time trial and was also victorious in the Naas CC Open 20km TT in June by 2½ minutes.
He was in similarly blistering form against the watch a month later when he took the Danny O’Shea 10 Mile Memorial TT in Wicklow, besting Martyn Irvine's course record.
Cassidy also took the Leinster time trial title last season.
Irish U23 international Dylan Foley is still a member of Aquablue, but will race predominantly in France with club team AC Bisontine this year.
Junior international Dylan O’Brien joined Aquablue in recent months as he makes the step into the U23 ranks.
Sean McKenna is a hugely promising rider and will add considerable horsepower to the Aquablue CC team this year. He has a number of more years in the U23 ranks and if he goes well again in 2015, selection for the European and World Championships is not beyond him.
The team also possesses one of Ireland’s best triathletes in Bryan Keane, while his understudy Chris Mintern is no less talented.
Keane’s main goal is the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro next year and any road races he rides will be part of his triathlon training.
Reigning national cyclocross champion Fran Meehan stays with the team for another year.
She will seek to defend that crown this Sunday in Swords, north Dublin, and will then ride the World Championships in the Czech Republic in just over three weeks.
Aside from those competing at A1 level for Aquablue, the team also has a range of strong riders in the A2, A3 and A4 ranks.
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