Ciara Doogan, winning the Des Hanlon Memorial, looks like a really exciting talent. And if she continues to progress can be one of the main female riders in the country for a long time to come (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Ciara Doogan is one rider really emerging as a force on the women's scene; the 16 year-old from Donegal putting it up to the more established names on several occasions.
Riding for Errigal CC, she is also a member of the Irish junior team.
She was third behind Eve McCrystal (Garda CC-Richies Bikes) and Aideen Keenan (DID Electrical Dunboyne) in the GasNetworks Ireland Visit Nenagh Classic recently, despite riding most of the race in the big chainring after suffering an early mechanical.
Anyone who has ridden that hilly event will know how difficult a task that must have been.
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In pink and on top with the Neenan Travel Talent Team 2020 at the Youth Tour of Scotland last year.
She went one better than Nenagh in Bohermeen, Co Meath, last weekend where she was 2nd; beaten only by elite international McCrystal.
And last month she took a major win when she came home 1st in the Des Hanlon Memorial in Carlow; a fantastic performance for a rider of any age but incredible for one as young as Doogan.
She has some big goals this year and didn't shy away when asked what they were.
“I’d love a top six in the individual pursuit at the European Track Championships in Athens,” she said.
Doogan, far left, is one of a group of strong young riders to have been afforded the opportunity to race abroad for Ireland and Ulster several times. Above, in team time trial mode at the UK Inter-regional Road Championships at Redbridge Cycling Centre, Essex, last year (Photo with thanks to Tommy Heaney)
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“I’m also targeting a top 15 in the time-trial at the European Championships in Estonia and a top 20 in the World Championships in America in September.
“I’m happy with how the season has gone so far but I’ve a lot of work to do as it won't be easy to get picked for major championships.”
Indeed, there’s a five-strong Irish junior team this year with Autumn Collins, Naoise Sheridan, Shenna McGivergan and Amy Good all selected to date.
Cycling Ireland has said anyone up to the standard will be brought into the junior squad at any time.
On the attack with the in-form Aideen Keenan on her way to victory in Carlow last month (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Doogan said the secret to getting picked has been hard work and she knows that will continue.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” is one of my mottos.
“I'm cycling three years and that’s how it is for me.
“It’s a hard sport but I love it; I like the suffering too and being able to push myself to the limit.
"I also love travelling around as I get to meet so many amazing people.”
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