NI picks first batch of athletes for Commonwealth Games

Cyclists David McCann and Michael Hutchinson are selected as are swimmers Claire Dawson and Sycerika McMahon.

Women bowlers Jennifer Dowds, Sandra Bailie, Mandy Cunningham, Barbara Logue and Donna McCloy are all chosen.

Mark Montgomery will be in action in wrestling eight years after competing in Judo at the Manchester Games.

Olympic silver medallist Houvenaghel will be Northern Ireland's first female track cycling competitor in the Commonwealth games, which will take place in Delhi from 3-14 October.

Perry was the first nomination put forward for selection for the Northern Ireland team.

The Banbridge squash player will be taking part in her fourth Games although she will not be playing mixed doubles in India.

Perry has reached the British Open final and World Open semi-finals over the past 18 months and is firmly established in the world's top 10.

The women bowlers will make challenges in the pairs and a triples.

Donna McCloy will be hoping that her husband Gary earns selection when the men's bowls squad is announced later in the summer.

Houvenaghel won silver in the pursuit at the Beijing Olympics and took gold in the team events at the 2008 and 2009 World Championships.

McCann and Hutchinson finished fourth and fifth in the individual time trial in Melbourne 2006.

West Belfast man McCann has been in tremendous form on the Asian circuit in recent weeks by earning wins in the Tour of Philippines and the Tour of Taiwan and may also aim for the individual road race.

Swimmers Dawson from the Ards club and Belfast teenager McMahon achieved qualifying times in Dublin recently.

Montgomery earned a fifth-place finish in judo at the 2002 Games.

The Aghalee says he will be aiming high again, only 18 months after taking advantage of Sport NI's Talent Transfer Initiative and swapping his belt for wrestling garb.

"My target is to finish in the top eight," said Montgomery.

"In these championships each country can enter two wrestlers per weight which means, whereas there is only one each in the Games so it has the potential to be twice as difficult."