Waterford’s Damien Vereker ready for Paralympics

Waterford’s own Damien Vereker will be representing Ireland at the Paralympics in Paris this year.

The 44 year old originally from Kilkenny and now based in Waterford, is an experienced member of the Ireland Para-cycling National Team.

Married to Jennifer Barrett, his hard work and commitment to the sport were showcased when he represented Ireland at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he achieved an impressive 8th place finish. Paris will be his second Paralympic Games.

Training with the Comeragh Cycling Club in Waterford, his partnership with sighted pilot, Donegal’s Mitchell McLaughlin has been an important factor in his success in recent years, with both the athletes included in a ten athlete strong para-cycling team for the Games.

The pair compete in both track and road events and picked up a ninth place finish in the time trial at the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.

As Damien prepares to compete in Paris, he carries with him the well wishes of communities in Waterford, Kilkenny, and right across the country.

Representatives from Waterford City and County Council wished Damien the best of luck this week:

“As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games draw closer, Waterford City & County Council extends our best wishes to Damien Vereker and all of Team Ireland who will represent Ireland on the world stage.

“We also extend our best wishes to the entire Team Ireland as they prepare to represent Ireland from 28th August to 8th September in Paris. Best of luck everyone. We are all behind you.” The 35 athletes representing Ireland this year have now departed for their respective training camps before assembling in the Athlete’s Village ahead of the Opening Ceremony on August 28th at the Place de la Concorde.

Paralympics Ireland President Eimear Breathnach said “We are looking forward now to seeing our 35 athletes competing at the Paralympic Games from August 28th in nine different sports. This is the culmination of so much work and preparation from the athletes and their support teams and I have no doubt that they will be ready to produce their best possible performances on this great stage.” On August 29, Damien will compete in the Men’s 4,000 metre Individual Pursuit track event. Following this on September 1, he will feature in the Men’s B 1,000 metre Time Trial track event.

On Day 7 of the games, September 4, he will compete in the Men’s B Individual Time Trial road event and on September 6 he will be in the B Road Race.

The games will run until Sunday, September 8 where Damien will be hoping to do Ireland proud. We wish him the best of luck.