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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
ISC Carding Scheme - Athlete Grants
By email to IrishCycling.com
16 Mar 2009,
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Reply 16th March: By Philip Lavery
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| Philip Lavery winning the Mick Lally Memorial last week |
After reading the letters sent in with my name mentioned I feel it is only right that I would write a response myself so as no one can accuse me of hiding behind others with my views or grievances.
My family have been involved in cycling for the past 20 years through my father and my brother we truly love the sport and do not see it as any means to a financial gains, even with the grant of 5000 coupled with the cost of travelling to International races and living in Holland last summer at my own expense because I saved all of my winning s and had the support of my parents. It barely covers the expenditure needed for one season it would hardly cover the cost of paying ten euro to sign on every race for a season. But it would certainly help and at least show some kind of effort by Cycling Ireland to support me, I'm not claiming to be the best rider or most deserving, I wont say I'm the next big thing or Tour winner I just want my fair chance to be supported by the country I am from seeing as how they are willing to fund 3000 euro to a rider who only deferred for Ireland last August.
I don't want to take away from any of my fellow cyclists I agree that most names on the carding list deserve to be there and as bias as the claim is, so do I.
As regards results? I have them, I was informed by Cycling Ireland that my 38th place in the junior European Road Race the highest Irish finisher, had secured me a grant but Cycling Ireland failed to inform the Irish sports council or bother making an application on my part for last year we still have the confirming email if anyone wishes to view it, in August I was a top 5 finisher in several races with more than 5 nations competing, this also meets the criteria by the ISC.
I won't go on and on despite having a lot I want to say, my father and most people around me have always told me to do my talking with my legs and hopefully I can. I'm going to pursue cycling regardless of grants. I doubt Sean Kelly or Stephen Roche had much money thrown at them when they started out and last time I looked they done pretty well. This letter represents my own views and not that of my team. Anyone who wants to question my ability or deserving of a grant can reply.
I will see you all somewhere on the road.
Philip Lavery
Ireland's discarded athlete
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Reply 15th March. By Myles McCorry
I agree there are plenty of names that would fit along side our existing carded cyclists. Lots of talented cyclists in Ireland are without funding. But the pot of support available is not unlimited.
There are another dozen names that would site comfortably along side the fantastic track speed of O'Loughlin or the international promise of Sean Downey and Sam Bennett.
As with all monies that are allocated to a generally self funded sport, opinions will vary and descent is inevitable. Money in sport in the past has always causes conflict, but thankfully, now open and transparent selection criteria now exist.
There are bench marks which need to be reached before funding can be distributed , and as I have found is easily available for anyone who asks.
Take for example Siobhan Dervan's top 45 in the world effort at the 2008 World championships in Varese. This met the requirement laid down for assistance and she can concentrate on keeping an Irish presence at top level women's cycling.
We need to congratulate all our riders who are making an impact of the international platform, be thankful the Sports council in there and hope that the investment will reap results in the future.
Myles McCorry
Co Louth
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Original Letter 15th March.
I have read with interest the grants given to different individuals within Cycling Ireland. Excuse my ignorance but what exactly is the qualifying criteria for a grant as a quick look at those names will tell you that there is a name missing, Phillip Lavery..
What exactly is it that the young lad need to do to qualify for a grant? Now I know some readers will read this say Oh here goes Gerry the black man Tosh's mate, but as a parent who has a son starting to race this year and who idolises Phillip what sort of message does this send out.
I am not going to get personal and point peoples results out but Phillips results speak for themselves.
There are often race reports written on this very website and more often than not its merely one or two lines written about Phillip when he wins. I have heard people within the cycling community say that Phillip is arrogant, Firstly i would beg to differ as I have known Phillip for a long time and have always found him to mannerly and obliging on issues of cycling and secondly is Lance Armstrong not arrogant?Nice men don't always win cycling races.
I have also heard it said that you need to race international races to get a grant, well racing and getting results in Holland and Belgium is not Soweto.....
Phillip Lavery deserves something from the cycling hierarchy because as we all know cycling is not a cheap mans game.
Come on Cycling Ireland do the right thing.
G. Francis
Co Leitrim
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Irish Sports Council - Carding Allocations to Cyclists
11th March 2009
David O'Loughlin World Class 20,000
Cathal Miller World Class 20,000
Catherine Walsh World Class 20,000
Joanna Hickey World Class 20,000
Connor McConvey International 12,000
Nicholas Roche International 12,000
Philip Deignan International 12,000
Daniel Martin International 12,000
Siobhan Dervan International 12,000
David McCann International 12,000
Michael Delaney International 12,000
David Peelo International 12,000
Enda Smyth International 12,000
Developmental Squad (4) Developmental Allocation (max 5,000 each) 20,000
- Sean Downey Developmental
- Sam Bennett Developmental
- Paudi O'Brien Developmental
- Ronan McLaughlin Developmental
Junior Squad (1) Junior Allocation(max 3,000 each) 3,000
- Dominic Jelfs Junior
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Total Allocations to Cycling Ireland riders = 211,000
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