National team director Richie Beatty has confirmed that professional cyclist Ciaran Power and American resident Deirdre Murphy will represent Ireland in the Sydney Olympics in September. They join previously confirmed mountain-biker Robin Seymour on the squad, leaving just one berth to fill in the elite men's road race. Confirmation of Power's appointment was regarded as little more than a formality, given that he has been clearly the most successful Irish cyclist this season.
The Waterford rider has coped admirably with the increased demands of the professional peloton since he joined the paid ranks in January. Indeed he surpassed expectations in the Tour of Italy to record four top-20 placings, including a fine fifth place on stage three and sixth on the 16th leg to Meda and exhibiting a sprinting ability which could prove vital should the Olympic title come down to a bunch finish. Murphy is more of an unknown quality as she is living in America and has competed on few occasions in Ireland in the past. The 41-year-old came to prominence last season when she finished fourth in the B world championships in Uruguay and thus secured Olympic qualification for one Irish female.
The appointment, however, is not without controversy; other women cyclists who were in contention for the spot have expressed their dissatisfaction with Murphy's selection, arguing that they have not had a chance to prove their worth against her this year. "We weren't given an opportunity to go to the B world championships," says former national champion Susan O'Mara, who states that she only heard about the event after it took place. "What's more, we haven't been given an opportunity to race against Deirdre since, yet she has been selected ahead of us."
National team director Richie Beatty is adamant, however, that the right decision has been made in selecting the former World Masters (over-35) champion: "Deirdre set the standard in the B world championships and has been riding good, world-class events ever since, at her own expense. The other Irish girls' results simply do not compare to hers."
Beatty has also narrowed down those in the running for the final slot in the men's road race to just four riders, from whom the final selection will be made in the next fortnight. Power's fellow professional Morgan Fox, the new national champion David McCann, Eugene Moriarty, who placed fifth in the B world championships last autumn, and 1999 national champion Tommy Evans are those in contention.
There is no place for former junior world champion Mark Scanlon, arguably the most talented of the current breed but someone who, says Beatty, is too young to be considered for the race. "It is better to save Mark for the under-23 European championships in August, rather than put a 19-year-old in against professionals," he says.
