My Story

Growing up I was always very active and had interest in all sports. I’ve always had bikes, since I was old enough to walk but I only started cycling competitively when I was 10 years old, with encouragement from my uncle Noel. My early days in the sport were massively enjoyable as well as successful. As I progressed through the underage ranks in Ireland I showed my potential and gained some invaluable experience's and skills that still stand to me now. I never took things too seriously as a kid and it wasn’t until I was 16 that I really knew cycling was my one and only sport. Until then I tried my hand at many sports and it was more about and having fun with my friends every weekend - I think this is what really made me fall in love with cycling. 
Although I said we didn't take things too seriously, between us we still won almost every race we competed in. I was a very consistent underage rider - I have a handful of All-Ireland medals running from u11 through to u16 as well as Munster and Cork titles. in the road race and time trail events. The highlight of my years in underage was being on the long squad for the European Youth Olympics.
In 2010 I became a Junior (u18) and I quickly adapted to the new style of racing and found it suited me a lot better. After a string of good results and performances I got a call up to the National Team and have ridden with Ireland since. I carried on the 2010 season getting very consistent results throughout and winning the Munster (provincial) championships.
2011 was a big year for me. My season started particularly strong at home, and I put in some great performances in big races in Ireland. I was still in school so halfway through the season I made the decision to jump in the deep end and see if I am good enough to chase my dream of becoming a professional. I took off to Belgium! I got in contact with ASFRA Racing Team, and joined them for the remainder of 2011.
My first year as an under 23 rider, 2012, I re-signed for "ASFRA Racing Team" and was based in Oudenaarde for 3 months after finishing school and my leaving certificate exams in June. I spent my time in Belgium racing mostly kermess races and some inter clubs with ASFRA. I made progression, picking up some nice results along the way.   
Some good results and performances in 2012 showed I had potential to develop, so in 2013, my first year as a full-time cyclist I signed for the top competition Belgian team “Terra Footwear-Bicycle Line”. I had a rough first half to the season with a lot of bad luck and crashes, but recovered in my second half to the year and picked up some nice results as well as putting in some notable performances. I am pleased with how I progressed and learned through 2013 and the experiences I gained will be, and have been, invaluable for the future. The highlight of my year was riding the UCI u23 Nations Cups - Tour of Flanders as part of the Irish National Team.
I re-signed with Terra for 2014 and spent another season racing in Europe. I had a solid season with a heavy race calendar and enjoyed riding for Ireland in the u23 Nations Cups and European Championships in Nyon, Switzerland. I came very close to winning races in Belgium in 2014 and reached my season goal of stepping up to UCI continental level. The experiences through 2013 and 2014 have thought me so much and I hope to be able to step up to UCI level without too much difficulty. I clocked up around 60-70 race days each year, so I am much stronger, smarter and confident - although I am under no illusions - 2015 will be such a hard year!
I've signed for Sean Kelly’s UCI continental team "AnPost-Chain Reaction" for 2015. When I first went to Belgium as a teen, this was a step I always wanted to take so I am delighted to have reached this goal. Most of the promising young Irish talents have went through this team to give them the platform to be spotted by the bigger professional teams. I am more than happy to join this elite list! I am relishing the opportunity… 
Follow my blog to see how I am getting on in my journey as a full time cyclist in Europe. Bye for now!

#weshareourdream

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