Award keeps the wheels turning for famous cycling club in Tipperary

Above: The presentation to Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club members Hugh Mulhearne, Orla Mulhearne, Rory Mulhearne and Billy Kennedy was made at the Texaco Service Station in Carrick-on-Suir. Joining them were service station manager Neil Flanagan (second right) and Valero Area Sales Manager, DJ Fleming (centre)

Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club has been chosen as the winners of the Tipperary county award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative.

€5,000 has been presented to the club to help fund the operating costs for its new community cycling hub, an initiative that welcomes cyclists of all ages and abilities to Carrick-on-Suir.

The hub offers structured training programmes, community rides, workshops and a venue for hosting races and events.

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 - Sean Kelly and Sam Bennett - among its alumni.

SEE MORE: All-Ireland-winning Tipperary manager appointed ambassador of engineering company

Kelly and Bennett are riders who have brought pride to both Ireland and the town, embodying the club’s dedication to developing exceptional cyclists.

READ NEXT: Entrance to new Garda Station means people 'won't feel the same' about Clonmel plaza

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 – has a fund of €130,000 that is set aside annually for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 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).

Overseeing the judging process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster Donncha O’Callaghan.

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 that are not linked to popularity, membership size or success”.

Describing the Tipperary club as “a truly worthy winner,” he said “Well done to Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club. This 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”.