The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Cycling sensation Seán selected for Irish national team
CYCLING Ireland Youth Commission has announced the Irish National team for the 2018 Radjugendtour Oststeiermark in Austria at the end of August.
The team is made up of six of the best young riders from around the country, and Scartaglin teenager, Seán Barrett, is included.
Seán will be joined on the team by his Kanturk Cycling clubmate and fellow Kerryman, Tom Moriarty from Castlegregory.
Over 20 countries will be represented on the tough tour of Austria, with at least 130 competitors in each race.
The team was selected from Ireland’s three major youth races in Kanturk along with Rás Mhaigh Eó and Rás na nÓg.
The selectors were looking for aggressive cycling; how riders worked as a team and results.
“We are hoping this will give the riders great experience of what racing is like in Europe, and this is a major race for these young lads,” said a member of the selection team.
The six riders the group has chosen are as follows: Keith Mulroy, Westport Covey Wheelers; Tom Moriarty, Kanturk CC; Cathal Gallagher, Errigal CC; Matthew Devins, Yeats Country; Sean Barrett, Kanturk CC and Jonathan Foster, Bohermeen CC.
A student at Castleisland Community College, Seán Barrett, a member of Kanturk CC, has been making a name for himself steadily in recent years and in races throughout Ireland and abroad.
He has built up quite a store of experience over those few years having ridden in France during school holidays in the summer of 2016.
He has been involved in intensive coaching sessions both in Ireland and abroad, and those who know him well, including his teachers, believe he has a great future in the sport.
They base their predictions on his quiet determination in his school work at the college and his pleasant demeanour.
We wish Seán and Tom and their Irish teammates well for their trials in Austria at the end of this month.