ELLEN DOYLE… treble success today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Enniscorthy handler Ellen Doyle ended the 2024 point-to-point year in thrilling style at Dromahane, near Mallow, this afternoon when she saddled the winners of the first three races on the card.
First up was a 23 lengths victory for Afancy Getaway in the maiden race for four-year-old mares before adding both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-olds; Modern Man won division one by three lengths while Starzand led from the fourth fence and came home an easy 25 lengths ahead of the field in division two.
All three Doyle winners were ridden by Cork-born rider Brian Dunleavy, who brought his career total winners to 40, and wearing the colours of the Baltimore Stables Syndicate located at Coolgarrow Lane, near Enniscorthy. All winners are for sale.
Ellen Doyle was saddling her sixth success of the season, and today’s treble brought her career total to 40 in her seventh year as handler.
Point-to-pointing returns to the South East next Sunday – January 5th – when the Shillelagh & District Foxhounds race at Fairwood, Tinahely. The first race is at 12.30pm.
Daryl Jacob at Leopardstown today on the occasion of his final ride and retirement following a successful career in jump racing pictured with his greatest admirers – his family members. (Pic; Healy Racing).
By Dan Walsh
The fourth and last day of the Christmas racing festival at Leopardstown on Sunday was an outstanding success with many bright prospects amongst the winners, but the limelight was stolen by the emotional retirement of Enniscorthy jockey Daryl Jacob.
The 41-year-old was out of luck on his final ride in a 25-year racing career (Mr Percy finished 12th in the Listed handicap hurdle) but he was busy with television interviews and answering questions from the press.
A native of Davidstown, near Enniscorthy, Jacob, who partnered his 1,000th winner last month, has endured a challenging final season in the saddle, having spent significant spells on the sidelines due to two collarbone injuries.
The Aintree Grand National winning jockey on Neptune Collonges in 2012 by the shortest winning margin in the history of the race hopes that punditry might be the next chapter of his career.
On his way back to the weighing room for the final time, while being stopped for selfies and autographs, Jacob told The Racing Post; “It’s the end of one chapter, but a new chapter is going to start tomorrow morning. I’m very lucky. I’ve had an amazing time, an amazing career.
“Simon [Munir] and Isaac [Souede] came along at the perfect time in my career and they gave me a lot more longevity than I thought I was going to have. I’ve had an amazing career and so much fun along the way. The time is right now and I’m looking forward to a new chapter.
Asked what the next chapter might include, Daryl replied; “I’d love to do a bit of TV work as I really enjoy it. I love working with Simon and Isaac and all the wonderful horses they have, as well, so hopefully there’ll be plenty of stuff to get stuck into.”
And while the veteran Daryl was stepping away from the weighroom, 19-years-old Conor Stone-Walsh from Cleariestown was making his presence felt in style when partnering Al Gasparo to a half-length victory for trainer Gavin Cromwell in the televised Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle with a €100,000 prize pot. Nice one!
Former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan has issued a call to sports clubs in Wexford reminding members that the countdown to the January 31st closing date is approaching and applications for a €5,000 award under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative must be made by then.
Noting the benefit to be gained by the award, the popular broadcaster and adjudicator confirmed that “entry is open to all clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal, or gender, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.”
Now in its fifth year, the annual initiative has already seen funding of over €500,000 distributed to clubs across the 26 counties, of which €20,000 has come to Co. Wexford with successful applicants Kilmore United FC (2021), Menapians Athletic Club (2022), Aspire Gymnastics Academy, Kiltealy (2023) and Naomh Éanna GAA Club (2024) receiving €5,000 in each case.
MATTHEW O’HANLON from St. James GAA Club, Ramsgrange, has called time on his 14 seasons career in the Wexford jersey.
By Dan Walsh
33-years-old St. James GAA Club (Ramsgrange) stalwart Matthew O’Hanlon has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, after 14 seasons of service in the purple and gold.
Part of the Wexford senior set-up since 2011. He made his debut against Galway in the National League that year before going on to make his first championship appearance against Antrim that summer, laying the foundation for establishing himself as a real rock in the Wexford defence in the years that followed. Overall, he achieved 140 competitive appearances for his county, with 70 of them coming in championship hurling.
Matthew was first made captain of the team in 2014 under Liam Dunne, a position he held by himself until Lee Chin joined him as joint captain in 2017. The undoubted highlight of his inter-county career was winning the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, (2019) and lifting the Bob O’Keeffe Cup with Chin in Croke Park.
He also holds three Walsh Cup medals (2018, 2020, and 2024) and an inter-provincial title with Leinster (2014), while he received an All-Star nomination on three occasions (2016, 2017, and 2019). And many other achievements in hurling and football for club and county at various levels.
Off the field, Matthew has been centrally involved in improving support for inter county players with the Gaelic Players Association for a number of years, and most recently served a three-year term as the co-chairperson.
Matthew said; “It’s with great difficulty, but also with immense pride and gratitude, that I announce my retirement from inter-county hurling. It’s been a privilege to wear the purple and gold and one of the greatest honours of my life to have had the opportunity to lead this group. I’ve loved every minute of it and will cherish the friendships and memories I’ve made forever. I wish to extend a special word of thanks to my club, St. James’, who encouraged and supported me every step of the way,” he concluded.
Wexford senior hurling manager, Keith Rossiter also paid tribute. “I would like to thank Matthew for the commitment & dedication that he has given to his county over the past 14 seasons.
“I wish him (Matthew) every happiness and success in the future. I would also like to pay tribute to his family who have supported and encouraged Matthew throughout his hurling career.’ he concluded.
Newly elected Cathaoirleach of Wexford GAA County Board, John Kenny said; “I would like to express my sincere thanks to Matthew O’Hanlon for the contribution he made to Wexford GAA over so many years.”
Aintree Grand National and 31 Grade 1’s winning jockey DARYL JACOB explaining how he won on his one and only ride at Wexford racecourse on October 30th, 2022.It was a special winner for the Davidstown native. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
UK- based Wexford-born jockey Daryl Jacob announced his retirement following a Grade 1 success on Impaire Et Passe (8/13 fav.), trained by Willie Mullins) at Limerick today and the 41-year-old will take his final ride on Mr Percy in the Listed Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle at 3.05pm on RTE2 at Leopardstown racecourse on Sunday.
A native of Davidstown, near Enniscorthy, Jacob, who partnered his 1,000th winner last month, has endured a challenging final season in the saddle, having spent significant spells on the sidelines due to two collarbone injuries.
“I worked incredibly hard to get my 1,000 winners but then I broke my collarbone and had a complicated operation,” said the jockey. “It’s thanks to everyone at Oaksey House and my specialist that I was able to get back before Christmas, when I knew I had good rides to look forward to,” he said.
After moving from Ireland to Britain to ride out flat horses for Richard Hannon, Jacob joined Robert and Sally Alner’s Dorset stable and rode his first winner under rules on Orbicularis for Alison Thorpe in an amateur riders’ hurdle at Exeter in 2003.
He landed the first of 31 Grade 1 wins on The Listener in 2006 for the Alners before the pair added victories in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
Jacob joined Paul Nicholls, initially as a number two to Ruby Walsh, and the trainer gave him his first Cheltenham Festival winner on Zarkandar in the 2011 Triumph Hurdle and the biggest success of his career when Neptunes Collonges landed the 2012 Aintree Grand National by a nose – the shortest winning distance in the history of the world’s greatest steeplechase. I had the pleasure of being present at Aintree that day; one of my 34 visits to the great race.
“Winning the Grand National on Neptunes Collonges was very special, as was Bristol De Mai’s second Betfair Chase success and L’Ami Serge’s French Champion Hurdle win.
“I’ve had a wonderful association with so many brilliant horses, including The Listener, who gave me my first Grade 1 at Leopardstown, which has always been a special place to me,” he added.
From a local viewpoint Daryl Jacob won on his one and only ride at Wexford Racecourse on October 30th, 2022, winning the beginners chase for Antrim trainer Stuart Crawford on Gold Cup Bailey (7/1).
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com afterwards, Jacob said; “It’s nice to come home. I only live half-an-hour down the road. It’s my first ride here and my first winner so we will take that!”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has granted authorisation to progress with the Enniscorthy Town CCTV Project. The long-awaited news was officially announced at the December meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
A total of 22 CCTV cameras will be installed at different locations within Enniscorthy Town and the civil works are due to commence next month in January.
The proposed locations include Bellefield just outside Lidl, Duffry Hill outside Donohoes Pub, Wafer Street/Parnell Steet junction, Main Street outside St Aidan’s Cathedral, the centre of Market Square, Rafter Street outside McCauley Pharmacy, and at the Orchard Peace Park, on Castle Hill near the Credit Union, on the Promenade, on Slaney Quay, in Templeshannon, on Esmonde Road, at Riverwalk, entrance to Enniscorthy Railway Station, and opposite Dunnes Stores on Barrack Street.
A proposed amendment to the Bunclody CCTV Scheme was discussed at the CCTV Advisory Committee meeting that took place last October and it was recommended that the amendment be forwarded for the consideration of the Garda Commissioner.
Local Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy has raised both CCTV schemes at several meetings and is “disappointed” at the delay on the Bunclody scheme.
SEAN FLANAGAN…3 festival winners in two days. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Clonroche jockey Sean Flanagan rocked up a quick double at Down Royal yesterday, packed his bags for Leopardstown today, and kicked home his third winner at the Christmas racing festival in two days.
Flanagan was seen at his strongest when bringing Enniskerry (9/1) across the line in first place by ‘a head’ for trainer Barry Connell in the 20-runner handicap hurdle.
Another Wexford jockey in winning form was JJ Slevin from Caim who made all the running and enjoyed a three and three-parts of a length victory on Solness (28/1) for his cousin Joseph O’Brien in the Grade 1 chase.
“Whether he is as good as the bare form here remains to be seen but we’ll enjoy today anyway,” O’Brien said after securing the €73,750 winner’s pot. “It was a special ride from JJ. We said we’d go wide and get the best of the ground. He got into a great rhythm and jumped fantastic. I’m really delighted for all the Bronsan Racing lads [owners] and for JJ to have a big winner here because he missed out on Banbridge (winner of the King George V (grade 1) Chase at Kempton Park yesterday. I’m thrilled for him.”
St Stephen’s Day is traditional a big day in racing with three meetings on today – Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal – and Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan celebrated the festival occasion with a double at Leopardstown and Limerick.
PAUL NOLAN… double at Leopardstown and Limerick. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
An Peann Dearg (10/1) scored in the handicap chase by a short head for Nolan’s stables ridden by Sean O’Keeffe from Taghmon. And the second success came in the novice chase at Limerick where Release The Beast (7/4) came home six lengths to the good under Caim jockey Jordan Gainford.
Wexford jockeys were in winning form at the Down Royal fixture with Sean Flanagan securing a double for Waterford’s Henry de Bromhead in the first two races with two wel-backed favourites; Air of Entitlement (5/2 fav.) and Downmexicoway (2/7 fav.), both scoring in maiden hurdles. Flanagan’s total for the season is now 25.
Conor Stone-Walsh from Cleariestown took the mount on Gavin Cromwell’s Global Export (9/1) in the 9-runner beginners chase and gained the advantage in a photo-finish – a head the verdict! Stone-Walsh’s 10th winner under rules!
Barry O’Neill is a point-to-point champion of long standing, but he was in action on the track at Down Royal today for David Christie and they celebrated success with Big Interest (6/1) in the hunter’s chase.
Friday’s racing action continues at Leopardstown and Limerick.
WexfordLocal.com wishes all our loyal readers and followers a HAPPY CHRISTMAS 2024.
WexfordLocal.com is your reliable and popular online source covering local news, sport and events that matter across Co. Wexford since June 2020.
This is your first search for all the breaking news and coverage of many local events as they happen in the community where you work, rest or play.
We would like to thank everybody who have co-operated in generating news stories, those who generously share their press releases, those thoughtful supporters who always send us in the right direction to cover a breaking story, and, of course without readers there would be no point in keeping the local news and events to the forefront.
Quality production is an important ingredient, and we commend our universal publisher WordPress for the high standard of production and technical support always provided.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Dan Walsh, Managing Editor, WexfordLocal.com and active member of the National Union of Journalists.
The GOAL Mile will see over 25k people running or walking a mile, in 170 locations in villages, towns, and cities across Ireland this Christmas to raise funds for some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
This year in Wexford, two GOAL Mile’s will be taking place in the following locations: Wexford AIB and Faythe Harriers GAA, Friday, December 27th at 11am and Duncannon Beach, on New Year’s Day at 12.30pm.
Stephen Bradley, Head Coach, Shamrock Rovers FC told WexfordLocal.com; “Shamrock Rovers is in a position to make a difference and supporting GOAL Mile feels like the right thing to do. GOAL has been doing critical work for years, helping communities in crisis get back on their feet and rebuild. Our team knows the power of unity and community, and we want to bring that energy to something bigger than ourselves this Christmas.”
A GOAL Mile challenge on Duncannon beach on New Year’s Day. To register and take part in a GOAL Mile near you this Christmas, or simply donate, please visit https://www.goalmile.org
Also speaking about the popularity of the GOAL Mile, Helen McVeigh, Director, Fundraising and Communications, GOAL. “Every year, the GOAL Mile unites people from all corners of Ireland in a powerful display of solidarity and generosity. This cherished Irish tradition is not only deeply meaningful for communities here at home but also has a profound ripple effect across borders, reaching those who need it most. The funds raised through the GOAL Mile directly support GOAL’s vital work in some of the world’s most challenging regions, providing life-saving aid and hope to vulnerable communities,” said Ms. McVeigh, who added; “To anyone thinking of joining their local GOAL Mile, we encourage you to take part. And if you can’t take part, please consider donating to your local event.”
To register and take part in a GOAL Mile near you this Christmas, or simply donate, please visit https://www.goalmile.org
WexfordLocal.com 