"Leinster and Munster clubs should follow example of Ulster"

Bryan Keane takes victory at the Muddy Cup in Cashel. Coming from the world of international triathlon, he's put forward some ideas on the development of Irish cyclocross (Photo: Sean Rowe)

By Brian Canty

Bryan Keane romped to victory in the third annual Muddy Cup held in Cashel, Co Tipperary, in wretched conditions yesterday.

The Aquablue man used his superior fitness to good effect over the course of the six-lap affair, though Strata3-VeloRevolution man Matt Slattery kept him honest throughout.

Keane said although the event was very different to what he normally does as a full-time funded international triathlete, he was pleased with the workout.

"I was talking to Murt Rice (race organiser) beforehand and it looked like they’d have to cancel it because conditions were that bad," said the Corkman.

"It was the Muddy Cup and it certainly lived up to its name! But they put on a great course and it's races like this that help grow the sport.

"The kids were out racing and it was a good community effort and I hope they continue it."

Aquablue's Keane negotiates an obstacle in very tricky conditions on his way to victory at the Muddy Cup (Photo: Sean Rowe)

Keane even suggested holding a national cyclocross league - similar to what was done this year for road racing.

"Cyclocross will continue to grow but we don't have enough races," he said.

"Robin (Seymour) is doing a huge job in Leinster with the Fixx Series but if he wasn’t there who would (be there)?

"More clubs need to get involved to take the pressure off him because he is a driving force.

"In Ulster, that's what's happening; the clubs are doing it. So why can’t they do the same in Leinster and Munster because there’s definitely an appetite for it.

"And if there were 12 races, we could have a national league? It's great fun and I enjoy it a lot; it's very different to what I do normally.

"It's challenging and that’s one thing I love. You always want to get better and it breaks the monotony of other training."

A really exciting prospect for the years ahead, Emily Birchall showed her versatility in Cashel (Photo: Sean Rowe)

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Yesterday's race, promoted by Sundrive Track Team and sponsored by Kalas and Cycleways, attracted a smaller than expected field, likely because the conditions were so bad.

It meant the field was no split into separate races, as has been the case in recent years on the Ulster and Leinster scenes.

Still, with a superb course and woeful conditions it proved a great event, and one at which Keane took command of things as early as the second lap.

Slattery gave chase as best as he could but was no match; the Killarney man finishing in second while Brian McCarty of MBCC rounded out the podium.

In the ‘B’ category, Eoin Ahern of UCC proved victorious with Paul Dunne (Fitscience) and Kevin Sherlock (Nenagh CC) taking 2nd and 3rd.

In the women's race, Emily Birchall of NRPT-Magnet.ie was a clear winner and also took the unplaced junior prize, with John Crowley of Killarney CC taking the vets' prize.