Boost for Track Cycling

(Jun 12) Irish track cycling has received a major boost with the allocation of a £57,000 grant to the Irish Cycling Federation to establish a national cycling school at the Eamonn Ceannt Stadium, Sundrive road Dublin. The grant was awarded as part of the Department of Tourism Sport and Recreations Sports Capital grants program that is funded from the National Lottery. The money will be used to refurbish a premises at the track to be used for coaching and racing. More of the grant will be spent on the track itself along with the purchase of equipment such as beginners track bikes and lap boards. The project is a result of co operation between the Irish cycling Federation, the local KWCD community partnership and Dublin Corporation.

Irish Cycling Federation President PJ Nolan said the awarding of the grant is major boost for track cycling in Ireland. "This is the first step on the road to having a vibrant track racing scene in Ireland, there is a lot of interest in track racing which is an exciting and safe way to introduce young people to the sport. We are very grateful to the Minister for Sport Dr James McDaid and to his department for allocating this grant. The allocation of this grant and the inclusion of the Velodrome in the bids for Sports Campus Ireland is further evidence that the Government is committed to the long term development of sport in Ireland. This is despite the negativity of some commentators who seem to be anti everything to do with sport."

"This grant for the Eamonn Ceannt Stadium will mean a lot to people of all ages from beginners to experienced track riders. I would like to thank ICF head of Coaching Paddy Doran along with JP Hilliard Michael O'Donnell and Philip Collins for the enormous amount of work they put into this project. "The ICF Track commission has organised a meeting of all those interested in track racing. The meeting will take place at Chief O'Neills hotel in Smithfield market in Dublin at 3pm on Saturday 16th of June. the resumption of track racing, the organisation of track championships and new developments for Irish track racing are some of the items on the agenda. All are welcome, for more information contact the ICF office at 01-8551522 .