There is a total of €6,000 on offer to U23 Irish riders who plan to race abroad next season. James Curry, above, is among those to have been supported in recent seasons by the fund (Photo: Belgian Project)
Now going into its fourth season, the Emerald Fund has opened its application process for riders to receive financial assistance during the 2019 season.
The scheme was established four years ago by Garda CC member Dave O’Connell. It aims to offer financial support to developing riders.
In time it hopes to fill the same role in Irish cycling as the Dave Rayner Fund has so successfully done in Britain for many years.
Some €6,000 was on offer last year, with four riders receiving €1,500 each. A similar sum is available for next year.
O’Connell has secured the backing of Quanta Capital for next year’s fund. Quanta is an investment vehicle within the property sector.
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It is owned by former Irish international rider Mel Sutcliffe. His EuroCycles-EuroBabies retail chain and his Scott Bicycles dealership has been sponsoring the Junior Tour of Ireland in recent years.
“I am delighted as chief executive of Quanta Capital to be able to support the Emerald Fund,” Sutcliffe said.
“To be able to play a part in supporting the next generation of Irish professionals is wonderful. I wish all the riders the very best for 2019.”
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Gray, Walsh, Stenson; the three riders supported during this season by the Emerald Fund, along with Ben Walsh (Photos by Martine Verfaillie and Sean Rowe)
Applications are now open for 2019 and applicants must be racing at U23 level next. Priority will also be given to cyclists based abroad next year and who have team and accommodation plans in place.
Application forms must be completed by those riders who are interested in putting themselves forward.
Those forms can be accessed by following this link, where you will also get details of criteria and the application process, which closes on December 10th.
In 2016, in its first year in operation, the fund assisted a large number of riders in their racing exploits.
They included James Curry (Banbridge CC), Caimin Muldoon (Aqua Blue), Mark Downey (VC Toucy) and David McCarthy (JLT Condor).
Also funded were Simon Tuomey (DID Dunboyne), Darragh O’Mahony (Kanturk CC), Ciara Doogan (UCD CC) and Stephen Shanahan (Wheelworx Asea).
In continued to assist Curry and Downey in 2017. And during this year Curry continued to be supported along with Jake Gray (VC de Toucy), Ben Walsh (Vitus Pro Cycling Team) and Adam Stenson (Speeder Cycling Team).
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