Cycling Ireland has announced that five riders from the para-cycling development team have been selected for the Paralympics Ireland Aspire Programme; Allister MacSorley, Ciaran O’Toole, Cormac O’Callaghan, Heather Jameson, and Jessica Kennedy. This selection marks an important milestone for each athlete and reinforces Ireland’s growing strength in para-cycling development.
The Aspire Programme, led by Paralympics Ireland and supported by Deloitte, is a national performance pathway initiative designed to fast-track emerging Para athletes towards high-performance sport. It offers immersive development camps, performance-driven education, and holistic support designed to build not only athletic ability but also personal resilience, self-awareness and preparedness for progression to elite international competition.
For Allister, Ciaran, Cormac, Heather, and Jessica, selection for the Aspire Programme is both recognition of their dedication and an exciting opportunity to accelerate their progress. The programme’s structured environment helps athletes refine their approach to preparation, competition, and performance mindset, with workshops covering topics like goal setting, energy management, mental performance and taking ownership of their sporting journey.
Para-cycling Development Coach Marcin Mizgajski reflected on the announcement, “I’m genuinely delighted that our riders have earned this opportunity. Their commitment to training, resilience in the face of challenges and eagerness to engage with every element of their development has set them apart. Being part of the Aspire cohort not only provides world-class learning experiences but places them in a supportive community of peers and mentors from across Para sport.
“The Aspire Programme is more than a training camp it’s an investment in the future of Irish Paralympic sport. By bringing together athletes from across disciplines, the initiative promotes holistic athlete growth, equipping participants with the tools and confidence to navigate the challenges of high-performance environments. The emphasis on self-belief, preparation and adaptability ensures athletes are ready to perform not just physically, but mentally and personally.
“This selection reflects the strength of the para-cycling pathway we are building within Cycling Ireland: from talent identification and development squads through to high performance exposure and international competition stages. Seeing our athletes acknowledged at this level is a testament to their hard work, the support of their coaches, families and clubs, and the structured pathway that links grassroots participation with elite opportunity.”
Their selection for the Aspire Programme is a proud moment for Cycling Ireland, and reflects the federations ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and supporting athletes with aspiration, talent and drive.
