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.
James Kehoe and his grandchildren Aisling, (13), Emily, (9), and Orla, (7), were rescued when their 7m boat broke down having sustained engine failure in Ballyteigue Bay, half a mile north west of Forlorn Point and the lifeboat under Coxswain Aidan Bates, went to the family’s aid and towed the vessel safely back to Kilmore Quay.
Such was seven-year-old Orla’s delight at being rescued by the lifeboat, she has since created a scrapbook about her adventure.
It also transpires that the family have a close RNLI connection with James’ late father and the girls’ great grandfather, Jimmy Kehoe, a former station mechanic who was awarded a Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum, by the RNLI, for his part in a dangerous rescue off the Saltee Islands 63 years ago.
Jimmy was one of seven crew members on the Kilmore Quay lifeboat Ann Isabella Pyemont, which successfully rescued 10 seamen from the ill-stricken French trawler Augusta Mariste, in a fresh south to south westerly gale with gusts at times of Force 10, in Ballyteigue Bay on the 19 December, 1957.
KILMORE QUAY
Kilmore Quay RNLI Coxswain Aidan Bates said: ‘We were delighted to be able to help the family during the summer and tow the vessel back to safety. It was lovely to hear that Orla went to such efforts to create a scrapbook about the rescue and to be reminded of the girls great-grandfather Jimmy, one of seven former Kilmore Quay RNLI volunteers who were deservedly recognised for their selfless bravery and courage all those years ago.’
James Kehoe, skipper of the boat and the girls’ grandfather said: ‘It was good to experience the professionalism of the lifeboat crew through the eyes of my seven-year-old granddaughter Orla who took such a personal interest in the operation from start to finish.
“Kilmore Quay RNLI has a proud history going back several generations. The current incredibly powerful all-weather boat is state of the art in terms of nautical sophistication. We always need to bear in mind that the service is manned by men and women who volunteer as crew members and who are prepared to take to the sea on a rescue mission in the most appalling weather conditions. Nothing will deter them in a real-life threatening emergency.
“It is so important to remember that this incredible service is funded by voluntary donations. This year Covid-19 has meant the cancellation of the annual Lifeboat Day which is a significant fundraising event for the RNLI so next time you see that lifeboat box on a shop counter – please be generous.”
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice and Equality James Browne has welcomed the announcement of €100,000 in funding for Wexford town’s library. The grant will go towards general lighting energy efficiency upgrade works at the Mallin Street facility.
“I welcome today’s announcement of €100,000 in funding for Wexford town library. These works will strengthen the library’s position as a community hub. Works will commence in the Wexford town’s library over the coming weeks and will be completed by end 2020/early 2021”, Minister Browne concluded.
Former Junior Finance Minister and Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy has tendered his resignation from Seanad Éireann to Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar to become Chief Executive of the Irish Association of Investment Management (IAIM), a representative body for the funds and investment industry.
SENATOR MICHAEL D’ARCY… starting out on a new career
“I have made my fullest contribution to public life and now wish to start a new career which I can confirm will be with the Irish Association of Investment Managers,” said Senator D’Arcy who thanked the people of Wexford for their support and said he remains “a proud supporter of Fine Gael”.
Tánaiste Varadkar paid tribute; “I would have loved to have seen Michael return to the Dáil as a TD and a Minister after the next election but understand that after 20 years in public life he wants to start a new chapter of his life.”
A native of Gorey, D’Arcy was a TD for the Wexford constituency from 2016 to 2020, and previously between 2007 and 2011. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 2017 to 2020. He lost his seat in this year’s General Election and was elected to the Seanad for the Agricultural Panel in April. He previously served as a Senator for the Administrative Panel from 2011 to 2016, and as a local councillor.
