News

Daire Feeley, winner of Rás Tailteann 2022, has been appointed to the role of Youth Development Officer (Connacht) on an interim basis from July 1st.

Feeley will support clubs in growing participation numbers within the province, providing opportunities across all disciplines of cycling. The part-time role will see Feeley work with clubs, local sports partnerships, schools, and other groups to put in place the systems and structures required to foster a culture of youth cycling.

Along with experience in the professional peloton, Feeley holds several coaching qualifications and has a background in physical activity, healthy lifestyle and sports programme development. Feeley is a qualified Cycle Right Safety Tutor having worked with Roscommon Sports Partnership, a disability cycling tutor, and safeguarding tutor. The Roscommon native is an experienced coach for all ages both on and off-road regularly delivering Cycling Ireland Bike for Life and Gearing Up Off-Road programmes.

Commenting on his appointment Feeley said;

“I am looking forward to taking on this exciting role as the Connacht Youth Development Officer. There are huge opportunities at the moment to raise the profile of cycling in the province and to encourage young people to enjoy and experience cycling from both a recreational and competitive aspect.”

Cycling Ireland CEO, Matt McKerrow added;

“We were discussing this role with Daire well before his yellow jersey winning exploits last weekend – which are icing on the cake for this exciting appointment. I’m greatly impressed with Daires’ vision for the development of youth and junior cycling in Connacht (and Ireland), and in particular his motivation to give back to the sport. In addition to his elite exploits providing inspiration for the next generation, I’m delighted to support a professional rider in the transition and planning for a post cycling career, and to be collaborating with Cycling Connacht to provide human resource on the ground in the province to develop the sport within their schools, clubs and communities”.

The position is being part funded by Cycling Connacht and is a model Cycling Ireland hope to roll out nationwide, increasing the number of development officers working directly in support of clubs in the provinces. The appointment is made on an interim basis. Recruitment of a permanent position will take place in January 2023 subject to an evaluation of human resource requirements.

Daire spoke to Tri Talking Sport in February 2021 on the Highs and Lows of Life on the Road. You can listen back by clicking here.