Barry O’Neill left wet and soggy Castletown-Geoghegan this evening with a career tally of 601 winners following a treble this afternoon. The four-time reigning champion point-to-point rider is leading the 2020-21 championship with 10 winners so far.
BARRY O’NEILL… rode his 600th point-to-point winner
It was Paul Nolan’s first timer Fire Love who gave O’Neill his milestone 600th victory by half a length in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares. Nolan has few point-to-point runners these days as he concentrates on the track, but it was at the Toberona House Stables, near Enniscorthy, that O’Neill started out!
O’Neill’s opening winner at the Westmeath track was in division one of the maiden races for four-year olds on Grady Hollow in the colours of Maria Kavanagh, Arklow, and trained at Kiltealy by champion handler Colin Bowe. The winner got home by six lengths in testing conditions with only two finishers.
Barry O’Neill has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Fermanagh handler David Christie, and they shared O’Neill’s third victory of the afternoon when Handy Headon come home ten lengths to the good in the Winner of Two race.
One person has been arrested after a large quantity of fireworks, cash, watches and tobacco was seized at a house in Gorey town last night.
Fireworks seized in Gorey town
The search was conducted under warrant as part of OperationTombola.
Gardai are advising the public “Please do not purchase fireworks from illegal unregulated sources. Serious injury may occur with life changing consequences.”
Please contact your local Garda Station if you have any information on the illegal sale of fireworks or call the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111.
World champion trainer and Wexford-man Aidan O’Brien has ruled out his four intended runners in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp today (Sunday) after it was revealed on Friday that various batches of GAIN horse feeds, which O’Brien uses, had been found to be contaminated with a prohibited substance.
A Tweet on the official account of O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard at 9.20pm last night, read: “Unfortunately the results of the urine samples taken from the horses yesterday have come back positive from the French laboratory.
“There is a possibility that the contaminant may have left their racing by the time of racing tomorrow, however, we have no guarantee of this and in order to protect the integrity of racing we have decided to withdraw all our horses from racing tomorrow.
“Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien will do likewise.”
WexfordLocal.com became aware of difficulties for several local yards using Gain horse feeds and, as a consequence, many runners were taken out of race meetings and point-to-points in recent days.
GAIN Equine Nutrition had issued a statement on Thursday advising trainers to refrain from feeding horses its equine products, including its widely used cubes and mix, after it emerged some of its products have been contaminated with Zilpaterol.
That substance is unlicensed in Europe but is used in America and elsewhere to promote weight gain, mainly in cattle. The advisory came about after France Galop announced five horses had tested positive for Zilpaterol in recent weeks.
GAIN Equine is working closely with all appropriate agencies, including the Irish Department of Agriculture, to fully investigate the source of the contamination and says it will provide a more detailed update once more information is available.
Martin Ryan, Head of GAIN Equine, said: “We apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed. A thorough investigation and trace back of all feed ingredient sources is underway as a matter of urgency to determine how this external contaminant could have found its way into some batches of our equine product.”
GAIN Equine Nutrition is the equine feed brand of Glanbia and is located at Clonroche Mill, near Enniscorthy.
Colin Bowe continued his good new season point-to-point form at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim today (Saturday) with a double in the opening two races with two newcomers – Branson Missouri in the mares maiden race for four year olds and Jungle Jack in the maiden race for four year old geldings.
COLIN BOWE… champion handler had a double today Pic; Horse Racing Ireland
Branson Missouri in the colours of Leo McArdle gained advantage after the first past the post was disqualified for taking the wrong course and was awarded first prize with five lengths to spare under Caim rider Jordan Gainford.
It was a tight affair with the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd’s Jungle Jack getting the nod by half a length to give Bowe a double on the day and his sixth success of the season with Barry O’Neill in control.
Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate were victorious in the maiden race for six year old geldings with Figaro Des Bordes who had an easy twenty lengths success under James Walsh, Tinahely, who is enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2020-’21 season.
Only a head separated the first two over the line in the maiden race for ‘older’ maidens but the verdict favoured First Revolution for the Monbeg Partnership, trained at Ballindaggin by Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, was in the saddle.
A call for positive action and changes to behaviour remain essential to ensuring that hospital and community healthcare services locally are enabled to deal with demands, that the optimum levels of living safely alongside the threat of the virus are sustained and that County Wexford stays at Level 2 of the public restrictions in place in Ireland.
The Chair of the South East Regional Steering Group for Major Emergency Management (comprising the three principal response agencies: An Garda Siochana, the HSE and the Local Authorities) and Chief Officer of HSE/South East Community Healthcare Kate Killeen White, joined by Specialist in Public Health Medicine and Director of the HSE’s South East Public Health Dept. Dr Carmel Mullaney and The General Manager of Wexford General Hospital Linda O’Leary are reminding the public to:
Wash your hands well and often
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
Limit contact with others and maintain physical distancing
Wear a face mask or covering where appropriate.
When such actions are taken, the HSE says, doing so not only prevents the transmission of the virus but also protects older and vulnerable people and healthcare workers.
The Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Ger Carthy and the Chief Executive Tom Enright are also urging people not to allow everyone’s hard work to date in 2020 to be undermined and are re-iterating that individual actions do matter and that if those in County Wexford live by the advice being given, that schools can be kept open and other points reached on Ireland’s roadmap to recovery be maintained.
The Garda Chief Superintendent in Wexford Denis Ferry points to what has been evident to date in 2020: the country moving from a short-term emergency response approach to a medium-term one, to manage risk and repair the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society. Chief Superintendent Ferry concludes the joint message by reminding everyone that we are at a critical point in tackling the spread of COVID-19 and people in Wexford must take personal responsibility to avoid situations that are a risk to themselves, their family and their friends.
Niall Kennedy, the heavyweight from Willow Park, Gorey, who also works as a full-time Garda in Wicklow town, has had an eventful career since turning professional. Fighting under the Murphys Boxing Promotion, Kennedy, (36), has made a big name for himself Stateside and won state titles in Massachusetts and New England in 2017.
NIALL KENNEDY from Gorey (Pic; Joseph Dixon)
On Sunday, Kennedy is set to fight live on Sky Sports for the first time, as he takes on up-and-coming Croatian fighter Alen Babic in an Eddie Hearn Matchroom card.
Niall Kennedy said; “For everyone at home it’s brilliant, not having to wait until three of four o’clock in the morning, I reckon I’ll be in the ring before 8pm. It’s massive that the fight will be shown live on Sky Sports, it’s easier for people to see and it’s a massive platform for me as well.”
Kennedy’s opponent has created quite a stir so far, in four professional fights the 29-year-old has four knockouts to his name, all within two rounds.
Kennedy’s record is even more impressive though, he has 13 wins, one draw and one loss to his name. The loss came in his last bout as he suffered a back injury in the bout against former US Olympian Devin Vargas.
Sports clubs of all kind within Wexford county and beyond are the focus of a new club funding initiative just launched under the title Texaco Support for Sport for which a fund of €130,000 has been set aside for distribution on a twenty-six, county-by-county basis, with successful clubs receiving an equal amount of €5,000 in each case.
Aimed at all clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender, it is expected to attract all whose activities, goals and ambitions can, in the view of adjudicators, be materially advanced through the receipt and proper use of funding in each case.
Launched by Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan, independent ambassador to the Texaco Support for Sport programme and the one who will lead the adjudication process, the initiative has been introduced by Valero Energy (Ireland), the company that markets fuels in Ireland under the Texaco brand.
DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN showing his enthusiasm for Texaco Support for Sport.
“Being launched at a time when many sports clubs may be experiencing financial strain, the initiative is one that Texaco hopes will be welcomed across the board, its purpose being to recognise the important contribution that sports clubs make within communities and throughout Irish society as a whole,” a company spokesperson said.
Open for entries until end-December, winners will be announced early next year. Full details can be viewed online at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com
Two men, both in their early 30s, are in custody in Enniscorthy following a drugs seizure in the town this morning and are due to appear before Gorey District Court tomorrow (Friday).
Gardai searched a house in Enniscorthy where they discovered cocaine with a street value of €4,000, €2,600 in cash and seized a car worth €50,000.
A man with an address in Enniscorthy appeared before Gorey District Court today charged with handling stolen property, driving a stolen car and related motoring offences after being stopped by Gardai on the Milehouse Road in Enniscorthy on Wednesday evening.
A search of the car revealed a large quantity of cigarettes which Gardai believe are part of a major haul allegedly stolen from a supermarket in Clare along with €19,000 in cash on September 26th.
A large quantity of cigarettes was discovered in the Drumgoold area of Enniscorthy in a follow up search which Gardai believe is related to yesterday’s seizure.
The story of Wexford Public Library Service began almost a century ago – in 1922 – when a library service was established in Riverchapel National School, near the popular seaside resort of Courtown. It was one of only four small libraries in Ireland founded as an experimental initiative under the auspices of the Carnegie Trust.
In the century that has almost passed the library service has grown and flourished to the stage where over half a million visits were made to Wexford’s five branches and two mobile libraries in 2018. Active membership of the library service is 21% of the population of Wexford – 149,722 – and the largest county in Leinster.
It is, therefore, appropriate and encouraging that Wexford County Council has a 2020-2025 Development Plan that prioritises the development of the library services over the next five years.
CLLR GER CARTHY Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council
With reference to the Riverchapel library, County Librarian Eileen Morrissey said; “The core principles of that small community library were equity of access to information and reading and the provision of a key focal point in local communities. These principles hold true today as we launch this library development plan.”
“Wexford County Council is extremely proud to establish this Library Development Plan, which has been derived from extensive consultation with the people of County Wexford,” stated Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy.
Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council said; “Public libraries are a valuable resource for our communities. They provide free, open, and democratic public spaces for the citizens of our county. They allow people to come together for a common purpose, to connect and collaborate.”
A sporting link going back half a century is recognised as Castlebridge publican Barney Murphy is honoured for his professional development and supervision of the bar facilities at Wexford Racecourse. Mary Doyle, Chairperson of Wexford Racecourse Supporters Club made a presentation to Mr Murphy for his long service and thanked him for support.
MARY DOYLE (Chairperson) making a presentation to BARNEY MURPHY on behalf of Wexford Racecourse Supporters’ Club. Also in the photo are Liam Spratt, Joe Redmond, Derek Nally, Martin McDonald, Jim Mernagh, Tim Nolan and Nick Doyle.
Mr Murphy paid tribute to the gentlemen, and ladies, of Wexford Racecourse Supporter’s Club and he recalled many names, but there was a strong note of sadness; “There are faces missing here tonight and it is sad that so many are missing,” he said.
“The committee that formed Wexford Racecourse Supporter’s Club made so much difference to Wexford racecourse and I hope they appreciate the numbers you brought to every race meeting,” said Mr Murphy, who added; “Remember the pressure put on Ivan Yates and Brendan Howlin when building the stands; the money put into changing the running direction of the races; and I very much hope Wexford racecourse realise the importance of the Wexford Racecourse Supporters’ Club.”
Mr Murphy thanked everybody for their support for him, which he said was “very much appreciated” and he concluded; “I will miss all of you but I will come to the races and be delighted to see all those faces once more.”
Making the presentation, Mary Doyle, said as a fellow Castlebridge person, she was honoured to make the presentation on behalf of the Club and wished him well in the future.
Mr Murphy’s daughter, Sandra Murphy, accompanied him to the presentation in the IFA Centre, Enniscorthy and her support was rewarded with a beautiful bunch of flowers.
