Toomey saw off the challenge of former Irish international Ciaran McKenna after the ballot was tied and Rory Wyley, the outgoing President, had to use his casting vote.

Toomey tweeted after the decision; "A big thanks to Cycling Ireland members for electing me as their President today. Exciting challenge ahead."

Toomey is best known for being the driving force behind Ireland's successful cycling programme in the Paralympics which saw them win five medals at London 2012, including two gold.

Toomey has been a member of Cycling Ireland since the late 1970s, having first joined Blarney Cycle Touring Club and then moved to Midleton Cycling Club when Blarney folded.

He formed Tandem Cycling Ireland in 2000 after piloting a tandem for blind cyclist Joe Bollard in a coast-to-coast challenge across America.

Denis Toomey with Catherine Walsh at London 2012 where she won two medals, a silver and a bronze

Toomey is chairman of Tandem Cycling Ireland and also chairman of the Paracycling Commission. 

He completed his training as a commissaire in 2013 and is a national classifier with Paralympics Ireland.

He was elected to the board of Cycling Ireland at last year's Annual Meeting and is Cycling Ireland's representative on the European Handcycling Federation and at Paralympics Ireland.

Toomey competed as a tandem pilot in the Paralympics at Athens 2004 and was cycling manager for Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

He stepped down as Ireland's Paracycling manager at the end of last year.

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