Kanturk Credit Union Cycling Club

By John Tarrant

Thursday June 23 2011

PROMISING Kanturk cyclist Eddie Dunbar aspirations of performing alongside Europe's best underage talent has bore fruitition on selection to represent Ireland at the European Youth Olympics in Turkey next month.

The Banteer native joins Mark Downey, Banbridge, and Jason Prendergast ( Westport) on the Irish team to compete in Trabzon, northern Turkey, from July 23-29.

Eddie fared well in the qualifying races that featured in Meath, Kanturk and Rás na nÓg in Drogheda where amidst stiff competition, the Kanturk clubman worked extremely hard to put in a fantastic effort to secure a place in top six to compete in two Races in Britain. Again, Eddie performed consistently to claim selection for Turkey and the opportunity to wear the Irish singlet for the first time.

The Youth Olympics programme features a road race, a time trial and a criterium over the six days of competition where on parade are the stars of the future.

Kanturk coach Dan Curtin is thrilled with Eddie's progress and international selection in another proud achievement for the North Cork club.

"From last February, Eddie's has been ever so dedicated to his training, and at 15 years of age, it's a fantastic achievement to secure a place on the Irish team. Over the years, Eddie has claimed numerous Munster and All Ireland titles so its no surprise on his international call up following a brilliant run of success in the qualifying races", he said.

Eddie is following in the footsteps of Kanturk cyclists Wille Curtin and Barry Meade who have previously participated in the European Youth Olympics.

Before getting down to serious competition, Eddie and team mates along with manager Vincent O'Connor, also from Kanturk will sharpen up on concentrating in an intensive training schedule before departing for Turkey to acclimatise ahead of competition.

The European Youth Olympic Festival is held on alternate years, and is contested by 14-to-17 year olds from 48 member countries. This year's venue, Trabzon, is a port city on Turkey's Black Sea coast.

- John Tarrant