The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Munster cyclocross titles for Killarney bikers
KILLARNEY Cycling Club finished off the year brilliantly with Munster titles at Munster Cyclocross Championships in Clonmel on Sunday. The event was also the final round of the Munster League.
Richard Maes won overall in spite of a puncture and also took the Munster league title, having dominated the series with six wins in the series.
It caps off a great year for Maes who is a very versatile rider. He also won a national mountain bike cross-country title and got two top-10 stage finishes in the Rás Tailteann against top international professionals. He is now preparing for the cyclocross national championships on January 13 when he hopes for a podium place at least, and to help Killarney try to take the team prize.
John Crowley also dominated the Masters Over-50 cyclocross league series, and despite carrying a chest infection into the championships, he still finished third, which secured the Munster League title comfortably.
Patrick Clifford also took a podium place, getting 3rd in the Masters over-40 event and came second in the league.
There was also gold for Killarney in the Youth category with Eoghan Crowley winning both the U-14 champions and league. Marc O’Connor was unlucky to be pipped for bronze.
Other strong performances were put in by Conor Kissane, Michael O’Connor, Colin Leahy and Oran Kane.