Seventeen year old Carrick-on-Suir cyclist Sean Hahessy was last week named as captain of the Irish national Under 18 cycling team for the 2013 season, thus confirming him as one of Ireland’s brightest young prospects. The Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers clubman travelled to Mallorca for a training camp in February where newly appointed Cycling Ireland Head Coach Brian Nugent put the riders through their paces. Each day started with a 2-3 hour road training session in the morning from the Team Ireland base in Alaro led by CI Youth Coach Martin O’ Loughlin. This was followed by a 2 hour indoor track session in the beautiful velodrome in Palma. The days were rounded off with a coaching workshop. Sharing the velodrome was Martyn Irvine, who just a week later became Ireland’s first track cycling world champion in 116 years. By the end of the camp, Coach Nugent had decided that Ireland’s focus for Under 18 riders would be the World Junior Track Championships in Glasgow in August. “We knew the riders were strong, but didn’t know if they could pick up the track skills necessary for events like the team pursuit” said Nugent. “The improvements made in just eight hours of track time were amazing. There is no limit to what this team can achieve”, he added. As captain, Sean Hahessy will have a vital role in helping to deliver success. At 6’4”, he is a powerfully built cyclist who has made significant progress each year since beginning with the Ó Ceallacháins Youth League at the age of thirteen. The Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn student is studying for his Leaving Cert in June, and will then train full-time for the World Championships. Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers Chairman John Dempsey said that everybody in the club was delighted when Sean firstly made the Irish squad, and then when he was made captain. “His parents Joe and Lilian have instilled a huge work ethic in Sean that has brought him to this stage. He is a determined and dedicated cyclist who will go a long way. We look forward to supporting him in Glasgow”.
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