Mulvey showed real spirit going into the last punishing stages to produce a winning drive that left his opponents gasping.

"I had made a few attempts to get away but just could not make it, " said Mulvey. "I just gave it all I had in the last lap and it's a magical feeling to come out on top."

Mark Christie of Mullingar finished in second place with the bronze medal going to Clonliffe's Killian Lonergan.

Maria McCambridge finally won the women's title after being runner-up for the three previous years.

"It's a fantastic relief to finally win it, especially after losing out again last year, " said McCambridge. Rosemary Ryan of Limerick took silver with Fionnuala Britton taking bronze.