Slattery and Birchall take Munster cyclocross titles in Kerry

Matt Slattery storms to a fine win in the Munster Cyclocross Championships in Fossa, Killarney. Slattery crossed the line with plenty time to celebrate and will now turn his attention to the road season (Photo: Brendan Slattery)

By Brian Canty

Matt Slattery was crowned Munster cyclocross champion on Sunday afternoon after he took a convincing win in the Killarney CC-promoted event at Fossa.

The Strata3-VeloRevolution rider saw off the challenge of Mark Shannon (Burren CC) and Brian McCarthy (MBCC) to take the main event of the afternoon.

Slattery was clear of the chasers after the first lap of seven and by the end of the second lap he was 20 seconds in front of McCarthy and Richard Maes of the promoting club.

The winner was never threatened thereafter and extended his advantage as the laps ticked down.

Emily Birchall looks focussed on the task at hand as she races to the women's title (Photo: Brendan Slattery)

It was Slattery's second win of this season after he claimed an event in Ennis in late December promoted by Burren CC.

Behind, Mark Shannon began to emerge and with two laps to go he was the only one likely to challenge for the win, though McCarthy and Maes kept up the chase.

The latter’s race looked to be run when he punctured with two laps to go but he did get into the bronze-medal position again until he suffered an untimely mechanical on the last lap.

That allowed McCarthy come around him for bronze.

Emily Birchall proved a class apart in the women’s race; the NRPT-Magnet.ie rider winning from Leah Maunsell and Nicola Doherty, respectively.

John Crowley (Killarney CC) and Paul Birchall (Revolution Bikes) were the day’s other winners.