Partry cyclist takes to the world stage

  By Liam Horan

  PRO, Western Lakes Cycling Club

  For 17 year-old Partry cyclist Martin Munroe, 2004 will go down as a year not to be forgotten. Martin has only been cycling competitively for the last two years, but already he has achieved extraordinary heights – culminating in his selection on the Irish team for the World Junior Championships held in Verona, Italy, in September.

  Martin, a son of Padraig and Mary, Kilkeeran, Partry, is a precocious talent. Padraig Marrey – a man with strong Tourmakeady connections – is coach of Western Lakes Cycling Club and also a full-time coach with Cycling Ireland, speaks of Martin’s “vast potential” and predicts bright things in the future.

  “Cycling is a tough sport, and you have to work very hard at it, to succeed. You must be disciplined in how you approach training, and how you conduct yourself in terms of your lifestyle away from the bike. Martin has the qualities needed to be very successful in the years ahead,” says Padraig.

  Martin identifies three highlights from the roller-coaster 2004 season:

  “I won the final stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland, and also the final stage of the Junior Tour of Wales. These were very big successes for me to win at international level, and they have given me great encouragement for my future career,” he explains.

  “And then there was competing in the World Juniors. I was 50th in the Time Trial, and 109th in the Road Race. I was happy enough with those performances.

  “In 2005, I am young enough to compete in the World Juniors again, and I would like to improve my placings, maybe get a top 20 finish.”

  Martin’s commitment is the stuff of legend among the members of Western Lakes club. He can be seen out on the road all year round, and his training spins frequently take him up around scenic Lough Mask.

  His father Padraig accompanies him on many of the trips, father and son battling all sorts of elements in the pursuit of that elusive edge. Martin is a student at Ballinrobe Community School.

  The Western Lakes club emphasises that you need not be a budding Martin Munroe to join the club and experience the thrill of bike-riding. Noel Gibbons, Cloonee, Partry, is the club secretary, and a man who devotes much of his time to encouraging others to take to the bike.

  “We have leisure spins all the time to bring people into the sport. We have bicycles they can use for their first few outings until they are fully bitten by the bug. Anyone can take up biking, and we would encourage people to consider it in the new year,” said Noel, who can be contacted at 087 7870055 by anyone who wishes to try the sport.

  Hopefully next year’s edition of this august publication will record further successes for the Western Lakes club – and for the Partry speed merchant Martin Munroe.