First day treble for Sean O’Keeffe at Wexford two-day races

Pictured following Morell River’s victory at Wexford today are (left to right); Sean O’Keeffe (jockey); Mary and Brendan Fitzpatrick (owners and breeders of Morell River; Indigo Doolan (groom), Sophie Carter and Brendan Walsh, assistant trainer to Colin Bowe. Pic; Wexford Local.com)

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

Taghmon jockey Sean O’Keeffe was the local hero at Wexford races today where he rode three winners. Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan saddled a double.

O’Keeffe scored first on The Big Clubman (11/2) for Paul Nolan by two lengths in the maiden hurdle, followed by a victory on Cathryns Ruby (28/1) for Carlow trainer Patrick Foley in the handicap hurdle. Winner number three was for Colin Bowe’s Kiltealy stable on Morell River (11/2), also in a handicap hurdle.

Paul Nolan was at Wexford Park watching the hurling, so he missed the success of The Bug Clubman, and he made it a double with Gin Tonic (7/2) who beat Open Secret, for Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford, in the maiden hurdle with Cleariestown jockey Conor Stone-Walsh in the saddle.

The beginners’ chase was won by John P. Manus’ Uhavemeinstitches (12/1) ridden by Mark Walsh and Henry de Bromhead saddled Nuvotic (3/1) to take the handicap chase with Darragh O’Keeffe in the saddle. Incidentally, Paul Nolan’s Release The Beast finished runner-up with Sean O’Keeffe up!

Dungarvan trainer Declan Queally was in Galway where he had a winner, but he made it a double on the day when Mozzies Sister (7/4) won the four runner mares hurdle rather easily by 13 lengths ridden by Alex Harvey.

And there was a real surprise in the ‘bumper’ when the Willie Mullins trained Lady Lena with son Patrick in the saddle was beaten ‘a head’ by Ballymoreen (9/2) trained by Mark Quigley in Laois and ridden by Adam Ryan.

The two-day October Bank Holiday races at Wexford continues tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) with seven races, the first is off at 1.17pm. The feature race is the Listed Michael Hickey Memorial Chase.

Five Wexford ‘points’ winners

By Dan Walsh

Two point-to-point meetings at Tattersalls, Co. Meath and Curraghmore, Co. Waterford went ahead today (Sunday) and there were victories for five Wexford handlers.

Alex O’Keeffe, (17) of the well-known Harveystown racing family near Taghmon, rode his first winner on newcomer Our Peggy by 10 lengths for the Gaynestown Stud Partnership and handler Jonathon Fogarty in the maiden race for four-year-old mares at Tattersalls.

JAMIE SCALLAN rode his 90th winner for SEAN DOYLE at Curraghmore today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Another newcomer Pitch And Toss had a four lengths success for Cormac Doyle – his second winner in two days – in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Joint champion rider Rob James took the mount.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill were also successful at the Meath venue. Radiator Springs scored by two and a half lengths in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares.

Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, rode his 90th winner at Curraghmore today. He was aboard newcomer Girl Friday for the Monbeg Partnership and Sean Doyle in the maiden race for four-year-old mares. Two lengths the winning distance.

Father and son, Michael and Harry Goff from Clondaw, Ferns, enjoyed a two lengths success with newcomer Loch Ness Pineau in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings at the Waterford venue.

Bank Holiday racing at Bettyville Park

By Dan Walsh

The popular October Bank Holiday weekend racing fixtures take place at Bettyville Park, Wexford, tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday and weather conditions are favourable.

Sunday features an eight-race card with the first race off at 12.30pm. The first two races are steeplechases followed by five hurdle races and finishing up with an INH Flat Race.

Top trainers Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead, Gavin Cromwell all have strong entries while Wexford stables with runners include Paul Nolan, Colm Murphy, Liz Doyle, Seamus Neville, Colin Bowe, P.J. Rothwell, John A. Berry, Wille Martin and Dermot Day.

Monday’s fixture is a seven-race card with the first race off at 1.17pm.

Double for O’Neill at Peppards Castle

By Dan Walsh at Peppards Castle

Yellow Warning, trained by Ellen Doyle at Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy,and ridden by Brian Dunleavy, won the four-year-old maiden race at today’s Island point-to-point at Peppards Castle by a short head under pleasant autumn sunshine.

Yellow Warning pipped Jetaway Mountain in the Jay Brennan colours and trained at Blackwater by Martin Corrigan with Shane Butler in the saddle. It was the closest finish of the day.

BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE were amongst the winners at Peppards Castle.

Champion rider Barry O’Neill scored a double and leads the national point-to-point rider’s championship with eight winners since the beginning of the new season.

First up for O’Neill was aboard Idaho Expresso for the David Christie stables in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old mares and half an hour later added the five-year-old geldings maiden contest on the Colin Bowe trained Ponte Verda in the colours of Maria Kavanagh from Arklow. Six lengths to spare for the latter.

Double Ten in the colours of the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership scored by seven lengths under Donal O’Connor for the Cormac Doyle stables in the four-year-old maiden auction race.

Cormac Farrell from Bunclody saddled Kings Jet who snatched a ‘neck’ victory under Clare rider Emily Costello in the Ladies Open Race. A tilt at the Cheltenham Foxhunters is the next target for Kings Jet.

Hearts And Spades from the Kildare stables of Ian McCarthy won the six-year-old plus maiden race under Galway rider Eoin Mahon who was returning from injury.

Youth Conference held in Wexford

At the Comhairle na nÓg conference in County Hall were Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllrs Patricia Byrne and Michael Sheehan, Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council and members of Comhairle na nÓg. (Pic;Wexford County Council).

By Dan Walsh

Over 100 young people from schools and youth groups attended the Wexford Comhairle na nÓg Youth Conference last Thursday at County Hall, Wexford.

The annual Youth Conference gives young people in County Wexford a platform to highlight local issues and work with Comhairle na nÓg on solutions.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan and Cllr. Patricia Byrne both addressed the event and gave the young people the opportunity to understand the weight and value of their opinions as members of Comhairle na nÓg.

Cllr Sullivan said; “As Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council I am delighted to support this continued partnership with Comhairle na nÓg which has gone from strength to strength. We encourage young people’s views and take them on board when developing policies for the betterment of the lives of all the citizens of County Wexford.”

New representatives have joined the Wexford Comhairle na nÓg and will represent County Wexford youth for 2025–2026. This group will assess the issues raised at the Youth Conference, consider possible solutions, and promote ways for decision makers to include youth perspectives in shaping society.

Avril O’Sullivan, Comhairle na nÓg Co-Ordinator said; “Comhairle na nÓg provides young people with local and national opportunities to have youth voices included in the design and delivery of policies, strategies and services. Young people volunteer their time, effort and skills to make meaningful change.

“Wexford Comhairle na nÓg are currently working on the issue of youth health and are making efforts to achieve positive change in a complex area. Through their participation in Comhairle the young people form new friendships, enhance their teamwork, communication, public speaking and research skills, and of course, have fun,” added Ms. O’Sullivan.

Director of Services for Wexford County Council, Carolyne Godkin said; “Comhairle na nÓg is the recognised structure for participation by children and young people in local decision making across all 31 local authorities of the country.

“The structure allows young people to identify and progress topics of importance to them; fosters political interest and importantly helps deliver a youth-led change process to improve the lives of young people in the County,” added Ms Godkin.

Gold for Blackwater, Wexford and Enniscorthy

ENNISCORTHY County Third and a Gold Medal in the SuperValu Tidy Towns’ competition. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Blackwater are the Co. Wexford winners at the SuperValu Tidy Towns, runners-up are Wexford and third place goes to Enniscorthy and all three received Gold Medals at the national awards ceremony held in Croke Park this afternoon.

Silver medals went to Rosslare Strand, Rosslare Harbour, New Ross and Gorey. Duncormick and Bree took bronze while Ballindaggin got an Endeavour award.

BLACKWATER winner of the County Tidy Towns’ and a Gold Medal. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

CATEGORY A

Duncormick      384 (Bronze Medal)

Ballyduff          372

Foulksmills      372

Ballyfad            240

CATEGORY B

Blackwater        394 (County First and Gold Medal)

Bree                   382 (Bronze Medal)

Kilanerin           374

Clonroche          371

Kilmuckridge     369

Ballycanew         344

Ballymurn           335

Hollyfort            334

Killanne              334

Askamore            325

Coolgreany         323

Carrig-on-Bannow 320

Bridgetown         309

Ballycullane       308

Marshalstown     308

Wellingtonbridge 300

Courtnacuddy     298

Oylegate             294

Campile              279

Ballindaggin      256 (Endeavour Award)

Ramsgrange        239

WEXFORD County Second and a Gold Medal in SuperValu Tidy Towns’ competition (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

CATERGORY C

Rosslare Strand 382 (Silver Medal)

Rosslare Harbour 381 (Silver Medal)

Ferns                   369

Bunclody             328

CATEGORY E

New Ross             376 (Silver Medal)

CATEGORY F

Enniscorthy        386 (County Third and Gold Medal)

Gorey                   375

CATEGORY G

Wexford                393 (County Second and Gold Medal)

Casting your vote in Presidential Election

By Dan Walsh

The election for President of Ireland to replace Michael D. Higgins will be held on Friday, with voting open from 7am to 10pm.

The important message to the public is to participate in the electoral process and make use of your right to vote, as such opportunities are infrequent.

On the ballot paper will be three names; Connolly, Gavin and Humphreys, in that order, and a little photo beside them to help the gender illiterate! All information is good.

Leading up to election day has been dull and unexciting and the danger is that of a stay away election and the statistician’s tell us that a low turnout can upset their poll predictions.

So, let’s get to the candidates. Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys have been out and about actively campaigning although the amount of time they spent canvassing in Wexford didn’t last any longer than a normal dinner break for the rest of us!

Then why should they come to Co. Wexford when the government partners imposed the party whip on their councillors and blocked the path of others seeking a nomination through the local authority process.

This leads to Jim Gavin, who struggled in the televised debates and withdrew from the campaign early on. Shortly after he announced his withdrawal late on a Sunday night, WexfordLocal.com reported, based on reliable sources, that Gavin’s name would still appear on the ballot paper.

Gavin’s posters remain up, with new ones reportedly appearing on poles. A vote for Gavin will be used in the count process.

Could Gavin’s strong showing in the Presidential Election finally generate public interest if he finishes first or second? It’s unlikely, but with Fianna Fail’s influence and disillusioned voters who refuse to participate, it’s still possible.

If Gavin tops the poll – and while it may be a sensational outcome, and it is not insurmountable – I believe he will accept the seven years tenure of the Arás?

If Gavin were to top the poll and refuse the office of President, a new election would be triggered under the Constitution and must be held within 60 days.

Despite a lacklustre build-up and low turnout, the Presidential Election could deliver a dramatic and unexpected outcome. Make sure your vote counts.

Saturday races at Peppards Castle

By Dan Walsh

The Island Hunt point-to-point will be held on Saturday at Peppards Castle (Y25 HY96) between Ballygarrett and Kilmuckridge. The track is in good condition, the weather is expected to be favourable, and organisers anticipate a strong turnout.

The latest going report (Friday) is “yielding to soft, soft in places.”

The first of six races is off at 1pm. The entry is 95, up 18 on last year’s figure of 77 when races were run at Peppards Castle for the first time.

Unfortunately, last year’s racing prevailed in windy and extremely soft ground conditions, however, on the track itself the locals fared well in the results.

It is a left-handed track over a mile with five fences per circuit. The card consists of five maiden races and a Ladies Open Lighweight where an exciting entry is Winged Leader, winner of 34 races in his career, a record on the point-to-point circuit.

Racing takes place at Bettyville Park, Wexford, on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

100 jobs to go in Arklow

By Dan Walsh

The closure of the Merck Pharmaceutical Plant in Arklow, announced today, is expected to result in the loss of approximately 100 jobs.

BRIAN BRENNAN TD “My foremost concern is for all of the potentially impacted employees and their families at this uncertain time.”

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com; Deputy Brian Brennan said; “I was deeply shocked to hear the news of the decision to discontinue operations at the Arklow facility by the end of 2028.

“The Merck Life Science facility in Arklow has long been a large employer in the town, with upwards of 100 staff employed there and my foremost concern is for all of the potentially impacted employees and their families at this uncertain time.

“While this is a shock to the people of Arklow and South Wicklow/North Wexford we do have time to work on this to both engage with Merck and to provide support to the workers and to that end I am calling for an urgent task force to manage this issue,” stated Deputy Brennan.

A communications source for Merck Life Science stated that “following a strategic portfolio review of products at our Arklow, Ireland site, Merck has made the decision to discontinue the API portfolio.

“As a result of this decision, it is proposed to discontinue operations at the Arklow facility by the end of 2028, consultation on this proposal will commence immediately. 

“This decision has not been taken lightly; it follows careful consideration of various factors including market dynamics, and customer needs. We continue to highly value each of our colleagues’ contributions to ensure operations and output for our customers and patients.   

“The site, which was acquired by Merck in 2015, employs approximately 100 people, who will all be impacted by this proposal.  

“We are engaging with employees and their trade union representatives (SIPTU) on this matter and providing support as necessary. Employee contracts are unaffected during this consultation period.” 

Mystery of Enniscorthy flags has been resolved

SEAMUS RAFTER BRIDGE at Enniscorthy. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting

District Manager Claire Lawless resolved the issue of ‘missing’ flags at Enniscorthy’s Municipal District Council meeting held today at the Council Chamber, Presentation Centre.

The matter arose from the recent meeting of Wexford County Council where twelve Irish flags flying from the Seamus Rafter Bridge over the River Slaney had disappeared from their masts and Cllr Jackser Owens demanded to know ‘who removed them?’ and he was disgusted at such treatment of the tricolour! “They should be left there”, he insisted!

The drama unfolded at the Wexford County Council meeting when Cllr Owens put the question of the missing Irish flags to the meeting and the top table were completely lost. They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders in unison but could offer no explanation.

Director Services Eamonn Hore failed to understand what Cllr Owens was talking about and suggested he contact Enniscorthy District Manager, Claire Lawless, and she may be able to help?

Today, Ms. Lawless brought calm to the chamber when she revealed that the Council had taken down the flags. “Some of the flags were torn from the storms and we take them down every year at this time,” she declared.