What was your introduction to cycling ?(First Club, first races, first result)
I got intriduced to cycling by my dad and then started the Club League in 2003 (first year U16) and got a kicking in that for the first year. Got a taste for it when I got placed a few times, thanks to the handicapper and Fred Harte and the lads trying to keep a lid on me, trying to teach me to ride steady!! First open road prize was when Michael Daly, Grace and myself took the team prize in the All Ireland U16. <Report & Photos>

FBD Ras Launch - it's not always about winning!!

Your first big win?
First big win was prob the Meath Grand Prix when I was a Junior. Was away all day but got caught then got away with 3 Dan Morrisey riders and attacked them coming in the road.. they werent to happy after that haha. Two weeks previous to that I had the honour to win our own Kathleen O'Sullivan Memorial and was the first Swords rider to win it and that was quite special too

Junior Tour photos courtesy of Peter Puirfield and www.irishcycling.com

Your best season?
My best season was as a second year junior, won a few good few races, a stage of the Junior Tour

.

Career highlights? My career highlights to date was winning that stage in the junior tour and also being selected to ride the World Champs that same year Right - at the Worlds >>

What result/performance are you most proud of?
I would probably be most proud of the my performance in the stage in the junior tour which I won, Everything worked out perfectly and the legs were good too, which doesn't happen to often.

<Report on www.juniortour.org>

The Ras (or Gorey) how many and best performance? Two Goreys and one Ras. Got a kicking in my first Gorey, finished 5th in my second - which i was happy enough with. First Ras this year went well. Finished in the front group most days, and was placed first team on a few stages too. << Photo left Ras 08 finishes in my hometown of Skerries!

Any good memories of the Park
Never won a park race but was 3rd a few times.

Memories of racing (or touring) overseas?
I have been racing in Belgium for the past 3 years(where i am writing this interview at the moment). also raced iin holland, Turkey, Germany and Brittain

When things go wrong (Or the one that got away)?
Would prob be the Noel Taggert race in Bandbrige as a Junior when Iwas away with another guy and forgot the finish was around the corner and led it out into the corner and let him get the kick on me.

Best rider (amateur) that you have ridden against?
Has to be Shaun Rock, had so much tallent.

Myself and Shaun at the Tour of Turkey where we rode with The Stamullen MD Team

Best Irish sprinter you've competed against?
Paidi O'Brien, for someone is so small i dont know where he gets his power from.

Biggest influences in your career?
it would be my dad and a few other men in the club like Paul Deans and Sean Lally

How long with Swords & why you joined (or why you stay)?
Been with Swords 4 years noq and joined because of my father.

Favourite present day Pro's?
Bettini, gives every race everything and when he is going well there is no stopping him.

Favourite Pro sprinter?
It would prob have to be Robbie McEwen make everything look so easy.

Best one day Pro race?(Flanders? Parix Roub , Milan San, W/champs)
Milan san Remo,the last 50km is always amazing.

Present bike?
'Dynatek Black Spirit' which Richies helped me out with.

Race day nutrition (Breakfast -- mid race drinks -- recovery etc)?
Just cereal and toast in the morning and a enegry drink on the way to the race.

What do you love most about cycling? Has to be winning really doesn't it.

Interested in any other sports?
Soccer or more precisely the best team in England - Europe - World - Manchester United !!!!!
Reds Rule (Conor!!! ha ha)

Favourite Cycling Magazine?
Cycle Sport.

Best Cycling Book(s) you have read?
i'm not much of a reader to be honest...

What advise would you give to 1st year racer?
Watch the good guys and learn from them and also to understand that miracles don't happen in cycling.

How can they then turn good performances into good results?
By using their head as much as there legs which Sean Lally thought me how to do.

Favourite cycling holiday destination?
Only been on one yet which was Costa Del Sol, great roads.

Favourite tea stop
Tara Hill. Cant beat an auld 'Tara Special'

Most enjoyable Tour
Never done one yet.

Photo by Marian Lamb and courtesy of www.cyclingulster.com

July 2008