2023 Cycling Ireland Athlete Development Programme Selection Confirmed


The 2022 programme members began with physiology testing and injury screening in Sport Ireland Institute earlier this month


Cycling Ireland can confirm that ten riders will take part in the 2023 Junior Athlete Development Programme.  


Now in its fourth year, the programme is an evidence-based framework delivered by Cycling Ireland’s High Performance coaches and performance experts from multiple disciplines.  


The programme, this year for riders born between 2005 and 2007, includes individual feedback and input on training programmes, physiological testing, educational workshops, consultations with experts in life skills, sports nutrition and sports psychology, in addition to training camps. 


The 2022 programme members began with physiology testing and injury screening in Sport Ireland Institute earlier this month. 


The ADP is in no way related to Irish national team selections which have their own criteria, so being selected, or not being selected for the programme will have no bearing or influence on selection for Irish teams.


 Programme Lead and Coach Thomas Fallon said:  

“The programme has gone from strength to strength over the last four years developing a strong working relationship with Sport Ireland Institute.” 

“The programme serves as a vehicle to access world class support for junior athletes at key milestones in their personal, academic and athletic development. Through this support structure we support athletes, their parents and coaches through data and shared insight to develop rounded high performers that can step up.” 

"The ceiling of support is not only for selected athletes, all applicants will have access to educational presentations and infographics developed throughout the programme."  
"An example being the recent saddle-sore infographic which was developed following prevalence insights from athletes. Later this month all applicants will have the opportunity to be screened for Relative Energy deficiency in sport (RED-s) with education around this topic also." 


Cycling Ireland Head Coach Neill Delahaye said:  

“Every year we have seen a significant rise in the number of applications to the ADP and the quality of applicants has been on a similar positive trajectory. It has made for difficult intake decisions in some cases but has also provided more and more educational opportunity for a wider number of Riders as much of the Programme material developed is made available to all initial applicants."
“The intake this year has some very talented riders from Road, Track and Off-Road disciplines and we are excited to once again provide the opportunity to these young athletes to learn, grow and develop as both young adults and athletes. We are excited to see them grow and evolve as bike riders in the coming year and beyond as they benefit from the expertise and experience of Sport Ireland Institute and Cycling Ireland Staff.” 


National Junior Coach Martin O’Loughlin said:  

“This is Year four of the Junior Athlete Development Programme and it has gone from strength to strength. Through our excellent relationship with the Sport Ireland Institute, we've had three cohorts of athletes benefitting from strength and conditioning, physiological testing, nutritional, psychological and life skills support.” 
 “And over 100 juniors have attended our online educational workshops which are open to all ADP applicants. We look forward to building the programme further over the coming years.” 


2023 Cycling Ireland Athlete Development Programme 


Adam Rafferty - Road 

Oisin Ferrity - Road 

Shauna Finn – Road/Track 

Áine Doherty – Road/Cyclo-cross 

Greta Lawless - MTB 

Seth Dunwoody – Road/Cyclo-cross 

Patrick Casey - Road 

Liam O'Brien – Road/Cyclo-cross 

Curtis Neill – Road/Cyclo-cross/Track 

Sam Coleman – Road/Cyclo-cross