Foreword Dany: ” I met Martin for the first time in 2008 and took an instant liking, his knowledge of the sport immense, his passion you feel when talking to him, or just asking for advice. He became a dear friend, and his home club Dromara CC where he is also a secretary helped me several years with financial support. The off-road grew big time, and certainly that has something to do with Martin too. We even share something special, both of us got a “Cycling Ireland Volunteer of the Year Award” which means a lot to us. At cross and MTB events Martin is there hours before start, helped by his commissaires, and the last to leave, results sorted within hours, so do the reports who describe the events so detailed! It certainly an accolade that was coming…CHAPEAU MARTIN!!
Cycling Ireland told social media “A stalwart of the off-road scene on the island of Ireland, Martin has been integral in the development and growth of cross country and cyclo-cross in particular on our shores. The Dromara Cycling Club man has played a vital part in the growth of the Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission. Martin got into off-road when he took part in a local cross-country race in late 2005. Although he DNF’ed he was hooked. He joined Dromara Cycling club the following year and added cyclo-cross to his competitive disciplines. Martin’s passion was event promotion through webpages. He joined his club committee in 2008. He was invited to join the newly established Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission in 2009. Through this commission he contacted local clubs and formed the first Ulster Cyclo-cross series that year. In January 2015 Martin joined the Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission. He is also a level 1 coach and an Elite National Mountain Bike Commissaire. Martin was presented with his award at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup weekend in Dublin, where he again acted as commissaire for domestic races on Saturday and the international races on Sunday”
