An up and coming Scartaglin cyclist has been selected as part of a four-strong team which will travel to France next week to compete in a series of road and track races there.
Castleisland Community College student, Seán Barrett of the Tralee based IBike team will be joined by cyclists from: Dungarvan CC; Galway Bay CC and Kanturk CC on the trip of their young lives.
To qualify, 14-year-old Seán had to compete in races and clock up the points at events in Mayo, Drogheda and Cork over the past few months.
They will travel to France on Tuesday, May 10th and the trip is seen as an ideal opportunity for them to experience cycle racing and all that goes with it on the continent.
Track and Road Events
While there the Irish team will compete in numerous track and road events while racing at international level.
Seán’s selection hasn’t gone unnoticed at the community college either. Principal Carmel Kelly said that both staff and students are delighted for him and proud of what he has achieved.
“We had it broadcast on the school’s intercom the other day for all the students to hear when we heard it,” said Ms. Kelly.
“Seán is a very dedicated young man. He’s solid and quiet and his dedication to the college and to his sport is remarkable.
All Very Proud of Seán
“He’s being told what to eat, the time he’s supposed to train and what time to go to bed – and he’s following it all to the letter. We are all very proud of him and delighted that he is being given this chance. At his age it’s going to be a huge experience and we wish him and his team-mates well in France,” said Ms. Kelly.
Seán, who is being coached by his dad, Tom, has been taking part in races at under-age levels all over the country for the past few years. He has also undertaken intensive coaching courses at home and away in the few short years since he has begun to take the sport seriously. It doesn’t get any more serious than a selection on an Irish team of his peers to race in France. We wish them all the best of luck.
