Cycling Ireland has appointed Michael Black to the new position of high performance development coach. That new role is intended to identify and develop young talent, from second-year U16s, through the junior ranks and into first-year U23. He will also be responsible for identifying talent outside of cycling and bringing it into the sport in Ireland.
The new role replaces the current part-time contract roles of Martin O'Loughlin, as national junior coach, and Thomas Fallon, as athlete development programme coordinator, though both are starting in new positions for the national governing body.
Cycling Ireland said O'Loughlin will now become 'road race coordinator' and will be "responsible for the organisation and team management of championship road racing". Fallon will work as "a physiotherapist with Paralympics Ireland, and will be the allocated physiotherapist with our national paracycling squad".
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Black's new role is aimed at supporting today's young riders towards representing Ireland at World Championships level and onto the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. He will provide high-performance coaching services to what Cycling Ireland terms "nationally identified young riders".
"Michael will be tasked with establishing a visible and clear system which will aim to attract new talented young athletes into cycling as well as building a pathway for those riders already active with their clubs and provinces into the (high performance) system," Cycling Ireland said in a statement.
Black was head of development at Triathlon Ireland from 2013 to 2017, before working as its head coach to the end of last year. Cycling Ireland said he "has a strong background in developing pathway systems, talent ID, and coaching young athletes, and has worked all the way to Olympic level".
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“I am absolutely thrilled and honored to accept the new role of development coach," Black said. "The opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of athletes as they progress along their journey is something that truly excites me.
“I firmly believe that by providing a nurturing and supportive environment, we can unlock the full potential of these young athletes and pave the way for their success as they transition into the senior ranks.
“I am eager to collaborate with a team of dedicated coaches, support staff, and administrators to design a comprehensive program that encompasses not only technical skills but also mental resilience, physical conditioning, and personal development. By focusing on these crucial aspects, we can help athletes cultivate the well-rounded abilities required to excel in their chosen sport.
“Ultimately, my goal as a development coach is to empower athletes to reach their fullest potential and to create a culture of excellence within our program. I am determined to lay the foundation for a pathway that, not only breeds success, but also instills values such as discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship.”
Iain Dyer, Cycling Ireland's high performance director, said he was looking forward to working with Black, who brought a wealth of experience to his new role.
"It’s critical we understand that the success at the levels we aspire to is built from a strong foundation of talented young riders enjoying their cycling and racing and have the opportunity to take their first steps on the high performance pathway," he said.
“I would like to thank and recognise the hard work put in by Martin O’Loughlin as national junior coach and Thomas Fallon as ADP co-ordinator in recent years, and it’s great we have been able to retain both colleagues.”
