Cycling club in Tipperary wins award and prize money to help fund initiatives for the club

Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club has been chosen winners of the Tipperary County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative. EUR5,000 has been presented to the Club to help fund the operating costs for its new community cycling hub, an initiative which welcomes cyclists of all ages and abilities to Carrick-on-Suir, offers structured training programs, community rides, workshops and a venue for hosting races and events.

Located in Carrick-on-Suir, Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club has been a vital part of Ireland's cycling heritage for decades. Renowned for nurturing world-class talent, the Club proudly counts Ireland's only Tour de France green jersey winners among its alumni – riders who have brought pride to both Ireland and the town, embodying the Club’s dedication to developing exceptional cyclists.

Now in its fifth year, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative – organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand – sees a fund of EUR130,000 set aside annually for allocation in equal amounts of EUR5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis. Previous Tipperary winners were Cullen Lattin AFC (2021), Cloughjordan Football Club (2022), Nenagh Hockey Club (2023) and St. Mary’s Hurling Club (2024).

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Congratulating the county winners on the immense contribution that they make to the heart of community life in Ireland, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited was particularly praiseworthy of the unstinting work of club officials and volunteers, and noted that “since its inception, we are proud to have distributed almost €650,000 to a variety of more than 125 sports clubs under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative.”

Overseeing the judging process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan. Commenting, he said: “As adjudicator – and from my knowledge of sport gained at junior, senior and international level – the most reassuring aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is that it gives clubs rare access to funds which are not linked to popularity, membership size or success.”

Describing the Tipperary club as ‘a truly worthy winner’, he went on to add: “Well done to Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club – a fantastic club whose legacy is vital not only in this community but on the world stage. When Irish sport was in a dark place, Sean Kelly was a leading light. This legacy needs to be protected and further enhanced by bringing on the next generation of incredible cyclists, and this year’s Texaco award for Tipperary will help in some way to keep those wheels turning.”

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Entries for the 2026 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open again in the New Year for all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.

Further information may be viewed at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com