10 Saturday, November 3, 2018 IRISH INDEPENDENT N Sport Racing

Family values: And it was as if it flicked a light switch in Cancer battle has given Pat Smullen fresh Pat Smullen is his head. still hoping to “She told me that we were going to get perspective, and the nine-time champion jockey get back riding through this, that it was a path I was about on his beloved to go down and there’d be no turning back... is determined to leave his old ways behind him Curragh “And, I don’t know, it just became embed- but his real ded in my mind from that day to this,” he ambition is explains. ‘just to see “I’ll never forget her and I’ll never forget the kids grow that conversation til the day I die which, up and live a Please God, is a long, long way away now. happy life’ Like, how do you repay people like that? You can’t.” ‘I’VEBEEN The positivity of that simple exchange re-iterates to Smullen the mistake he made as a race-rider in never buying into the appeal of sports psychology. In a uniquely pressured environment, his way was always to self-help and, in many instances, suffer in silence. GIVENTHE “Probably the biggest mistake of my career,” he says unequivocally now. “Look, I came from a working-class family. My dad was a very tough, hard man, played football for Rhode. He was a farm labourer and it was very much a case of, ‘Get up and ULTIMATE get on with it.’ “And that was sort of my mindset. ‘Look, if you can’t deal with it yourself, you’re gone!’ “That was the ignorance of me and the naivety of me. And I’m sitting here now, looking back, thinking it was very, very fool- ish on my part. I should have seen a sports SECONDCHANCE’ psychologist because I think it would have been very beneficial to me. “But I just missed that and it was my fault, no-one else’s. Frances suggested it to me, my brother suggested it to me once as well. But I thought, ‘No, you drive on and just get on with it!’ Different “Then this happens and I go from that mindset of never winning enough races to knowing that this was critical. I mean March 26, the co-ordinates of Smullen’s The quiet tyranny of his profession had I’m not giving out about the profession of because they think it’s kind of glamorous. I knew how bad it was. And I’ve just gone EXCLUSIVE world have been rewritten starkly. They had turned him into a person he didn’t entirely being a jockey. But I have to be honest, it Then you get married and I can see where about life in the last seven months in a to be. After an eternity of chasing winners, like. Nine times champion Flat jockey, win- wasn’t helpful to me. No point in me lying in a lot of marriages break down because of different way to what I’d ever gone before. life narrowed and simplified with brutal ner of great marquee races like the Epsom this bed now and not speak up about what the reality of living with the wasting and My real self came out over the last seven suddenness. and Irish Derbies, the Irish St Leger, the was in my mind. the losing and all the stress. months.” And, in a perverse way, there may even Champion Stakes, the Ascot Gold Cup and “The brutal rigours of being a jockey and “That they can just, sometimes, not be He has always had a faith of sorts, but this have been some relief in that. stable jockey to the great Dermot Weld trying to maintain weight... I’m sure it’s the nice people. And a lot of jockeys... you can sickness made it keener. He’d had a sixth sense of bad news com- since ’99. Yet always chasing something. same for boxers. Except the boxer might see they’re unhappy a lot of the time. Growing up in Rhode, he remembers the VINCENT ing his way before he and Frances sat to be Never sated. prepare for a few fights a year, we’ve to do it “I mean, I think Pat could have been Rosary being said every evening at home HOGAN told the findings of that tell-tale scan in the “I think, if most sports people are true to every day of the week. described as borderline depressed for a and, like most of us, Smullen’s prayers have Beacon. themselves, there’s a huge amount of stress “Every day you’re being judged and, realis- good part of the last 20 years while he was always, largely, been for the health of his It was a scan recommended by Dr Adrian on you,” he says now. tically, you’re one bad ride away from losing riding. family. “I’m not a great Mass-goer,” he says, ROM a world bubbling with stress, McGoldrick, the Turf Club’s senior medical “I mean I never felt I was performing as your job. Make one critical error and lose a “Actually, I think you’d find that to be the “but I did always have a faith. endless sacrifice and cold, cold officer, Smullen having undergone multiple well as I should be. I never felt the results big race... we’ve all seen it before. It could case with a lot of sports people if you were “And I can tell you, from March 26 this scrutiny, from a need to hear those bouts of physio to alleviate an obstinate pain were good enough. I never rode enough be enough to lose the job. Like, that’s all in to delve into it. year, that faith came back to me very, very cheers rattle down off the grand- in his lower back. Now, in split seconds, all Group One winners. This is all in my mind. your mind. “I mean the fact that he’s been more con- quick. I prayed very heavily to God, whoever stands, to this. those years of wasting and stony obsession “No matter how good you are, that has tented and happy in the last seven months God is, in the last seven months. And I just A room cleared of any confusion. gave way to the most profound sense of Pushing to be in the back of people’s minds some- or whatever, dealing with this... and much think he or she has reached out and given F Pat Smullen chats with the clarion human vulnerability. “I was pushing myself since I was 15, every where.” easier to live with... says a lot about what me a hand here.” tone of someone suddenly attuned to a line Cancer. A six-letter word that visits most single day. People might think I’m exag- The cancer diagnosis, he reckons, opened the stress of competing and riding can do There are still, mind, many miles to travel from Mitch Albom’s ‘The Magic Strings of families at some point, yet one that isolates gerating, but I did. So, when I had to stop him to a gentler, more rational existence. to you.” here. If the dream is to get back race-riding, Frankie Presto’; one reading: “The secret is the patient like few others. riding, it actually became a huge weight off Smullen reckons it has made him a better There is absolutely nothing to connect he and Frances recognise their days, for not to make your music louder, but to make For months after the diagnosis, Smullen my shoulders. And that was a big factor in husband and father, something Frances the strain of his professional life with the now, carry much plainer priorities. the world quieter.” admits he kept side-stepping it. Denying it how I approached the treatment. It gave me isn’t inclined to contradict. illness that came his way and Pat is keen to He endured a few brutally tough days He sits in a hospital bed, hood pulled almost. clarity in my mind. It gave me perspective Her own career as a successful trainer have that point emphasised. post-surgery, the only target in Pat Smul- up on a grey tracksuit top to offset the “It took me a long time to say, ‘I’ve got can- on life. meant she always recognised implicitly Bad things happen to good people in len’s mind through those days... that bouts of shivering that still come sporadi- cer,’” he remembers now. “It would be just “I think the lifting of stress was a big, big that hard, solitary side to the life of top-rank every walk of life. And that’s simply the moment they all head to the airport for a cally, reminding his body of what it’s been ‘Oh, they found a tumour and we have to try help to me. I just realised, if there’s one race jockeys destined to fight an endless fight point in your existence that you need the holiday they’ve promised Sarah, Hannah through. and get it dealt with.’” that needs winning now, this is the one.” with the weighing scales. gifts of strangers to come into play. and Paddy. A large balloon, transposed with the faces “Just the word is so... sure it’s frightening. In a previous chat, he’d told this writer of Essentially, Frances gave up her career so From the outset, McGoldrick was keen “I’m not going to break that promise,” he of his children, bobs from a bedside locker. “It’s the one thing that everyone’s worried an inability to tune out of work, no matter that Pat could commit utterly to his. It was, to see him put in the care of St Vincent’s says now. “Whatever lies ahead for me, pro- We are in the Hawthorn Ward on the fifth about coming to their door, isn’t it? Don’t the circumstance or environment. Of how she says, a practical decision. where Smullen has been so grateful for the fessionally or whatever, I’m happy to accept. floor of St Vincent’s Private, charts at the get me wrong, I appreciate and know how losing a race could leave him “demented”. “His career was making money, mine was talents of men like surgeon Justin Geoghe- “If riding is not an option, in my own bottom of the bed tabulating his recovery lucky I am.” Turn him into “an anti-Christ”. losing money,” she jokes now. gan, oncologist Ray McDermott and radio- mind, I’m ready to accept that. I just want from six and a half hours of essentially The pancreas is a notoriously reclusive He elaborates now. “I never had the men- But Frances is long enough in the indus- therapist Gerard McVey. to see the kids grow up and live a happy life, life-saving surgery. The tumour on his pan- organ to get to and only months of chemo- tal strength to go on a holiday for a week or try to know the serrated edge that obses- He has also been left hugely indebted to the whole lot of us together. creas has been removed. therapy and radiotherapy reduced the 10 days and put on a stone. So, after about sion can apply to someone’s personality. a nurse on the Hawthorn Ward he knows “You can always want the big car and the When he heard they’d got it, Pat admits he tumour sufficiently in size for surgery to three days on the holiday, I’d be starting to How it pre-occupies them. Closes them only as ‘Dee’. big house, think you need to have them. ‘Oh, cried. “This is the ultimate second chance become an option. get irritated at putting on a bit of weight. even. Back in March, on his first night alone in I worked so hard for it, I deserve it!’ But you at life,” he says now and those words aren’t And the seven-month journey leading to “So I’d start going to the gym on holidays, “You can see where marriages break Vincent’s after the diagnosis, she sat on the know what? The simple things in life are chosen lightly. that operating theatre made Smullen re-as- sweating while on holidays. That’s not a hol- down especially,” she says. end of Smullen’s bed and, essentially, gave what people need.” Since hearing the cancer diagnosis on sess himself with unblinking candour. iday. So, in theory, I’ve never had a holiday. “I suppose girls would go out with jockeys him a stirring motivational speech. Making the world quieter.

NA 28.99 SPK), Glynnscross Jake (1st NA 18.79 Black Gold, Toker Valley, Combined Effort, Akando On, Archgrove Mossie, Mojos Mentor. 525 – Express Tone, Strides Sultan, Classic Cliche. CLONMEL GREYHOUND SPK), Jock (2nd 2.5L 28.4 WFD), Twitter (3rd 7.5L Camolin. 525 – Santro Edna, Tosca Doll, Rockcliffe Hope, Cabra Laura, So Its Cain, Kilvil Kittywake, Wee Floating res: Houdini Act, Godmother, Milgauss, Hello Dutch n/p 29.94; Bogger Realta n/p 29.46; 28.43 SPK). Mike, Tullymurry Min, Killeavy Jet, Girls Know Best. Daddy, Shimmering Zeus. 525–No Hay Billy, Crinkill Reality Expects, Some Dogs Do, Blue Cheese, Taupo, Chiltern Cracker n/p 16.50; Exciting Coco n/p 29.42; RACING 525 –:Eight Carat (1st NA 18.99 SPK), Pennys 525 – Santro Rob, Tick To Five, Knockagh Gent, ‘Prince’ to reign in St Leger final Billy, Volcanic Blaze, Greenane Eclipse, White Flower, Kilkenny Queen, Heavenstown Jack, Barro Princess, Aspen Allegra n/p 29.41; Pretty Love n/p 16.43; Fine Koopa (2nd 2.5L 28.43 SPK), Holycross Lad (6th Kernon Minnie, Thinking Cap, Messan Rocks. 525 Gortkelly Eve. 525 – Daryanoor Shine, Pukka Swift, Stakeknife, Cloud Chaser, Wacky Mac, Drive On Wine n/p 29.09; Stag Park Taylor n/p 29.13. 5.5L/nk 28.57 WFD), Ballymac Beach (4th 10.0L – Matching Mia, Ardrahan Trade, Drumna Snow, Triangle Rinty, Cabra Diva, Petite Bosco, Ask Eddie. Razer. 28.41 CRK), Boynepark King (1st 2.5L 28.43 SPK), Blackbird, Eager Katie, Vincys Rocket. 350–Mufassa, 570 – Leamaneigh Sive, Bull Run Petal, Slaneyside LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS CURRAHEEN PARK Tarsna Dow Jones (3rd 3.5L 28.44 SPK). Larl Harry, Peyton Place, Painted Paws, Ace Camolin, Adie, GortkellyJulia, DaryanoorChamp, Moanteen Izzy. SHELBOURNE PARK Our Dog Lily 7/2 28.92; Gortnagrage Buzz 9/4f 18.37; 550 –:Pudgie Budgie (5th 9.5L/hd 32.01 SPK), Powerhouse Paddy. 550 – Boru Sixty, Rockcliffe Floating res: Rathmoyle Fudge, Bull Run Blue, 525 –:Aislings Jessie (Swift Hoffman-Clonkeen Rosetown Elsa 5/4f 29.51; Chica Pica 5/2jf 29.31; Go TONIGHT’S CARDS Macaroon Cruz (6th 16.0L/nk 41.74 SPK), Alfie, Local Abbie, Homeless Darkie, Wren Street, OUR original fancy to win was a surprise winner for Lisatunny Raven, Courancove Sam, Pakies Rocket, Jessie) (1) 4/1, Rolling Stone (2) 5/2, Ravenswood Jet Sasha Blue 9/2 29.37; Black Rioga 3/1 29.44; Nymeria SHELBOURNE PARK(7.42) Akelawre (6th 11.25L/sh 28.43 SPK), Droopys Inslips Taz. 550 – Speed Chime, A Class Act, Head Crash Dynamo, Roo Ian, Quirky Of Ozz, Anytime Joe, the classic, Clonbrien Prince, Philip Buckley last week and is (5) 3/1, Black Eyed Rodge (3) 5/2, Shakespeare (4) 4/1, 4/1 29.11; Creamery Jive 3/1 28.92; Droopys State 4/5f 525 –:Trade Chandler (4th 5.25L 29.62 ECY), Neymar (6th 12.0L29.55 LMK), MaireadsSpring Superior,TammenTiggy,Jumeirah Pippa, EagerJude. Catunda Adele, Montore Sally, Outdoor Roller. Grandcoulee Dam (6) 5/2. 3L29.06 (B Haide). T€5.10 28.43; Lake Belle 7/4f29.78; Unknown Puma 5/2 18.21; AvongateClass (2nd 1L 29.39 KKY), BlingBling (6th 22L 29.57 SPK), Whoops Harry (4th 17L 29.57 400 – Camlin Pebbles, Pactum Serva, Otherdetails, goes to traps tonight for the capable of another shock. 3.30 2.90 F€44.80 T€380.70. Power Play 6/4 29.96. Arlo (5th 15.0L/nk 30.61 ECY), Hulktimer (1st 4L29 SPK). Fahrenheit Lee, Galget Finn, Ely Way. 525 – Camlin Barking Buzz St Leger final at Graham Holland has three TRALEE (7.44) 525 –:Swiss Jet (Droopys Jet-Bit View Emma) (4) NWB), BlakefieldFlame (5th dnf 29.65 MGR), Icy Floatingres:Fays Carmel, Droopys Elegance, Mums Duck, Pats Rocket, Crohane Benji, Paradise Davinci, Limerick vying for favouritism finalists, his third runner being 325 –:Oak Sharp, Shift Mikes Lady, Buffys Baby, Rock (1st 4.5L 29.18 LFD). Wonder, Maui Bandit, Blame The Game, Broadstrand Great Girl, Seekers Queen. 2/1, Society St Coin (2) 2/1, Budders Spot (6) 3/1, Make DUNDALK Shronedrugh Hawk, Patsys Opinion, My Boy Benny. It Nelson (1) 4/1, Superb Beauty (5) 4/1, ShaneboyTahiti 525 –:Tullig Footpad (1st 0.5L 18.92 LMK), Kiwi, Stage Paddypony, Serene Adam, Beara Gig, Floating res: Graces Recruit, North Hill, Madabout with his kennel companion the well-drawn Nice Charmer Our Surprise 7/4 28.64; Express Finish 2/1 29.30; This 525 – Manhattan Romeo, Paddys Rhythm, Lybes (3) 4/1. 1L 29.10 (B Steiner). T€2.10 2.30 4.40 F€11.90 OneTime 2/1 29.22; Deja Drama 3/1 29.62; Some Gear Maisies Dancer (6th 11.5L/sh 28.54 NWB), Cuil Ridgemount Paul, Lemon Rodney, Gunner Sadie, Jaypee, Ross Mighty, Seven Summers, Shanmoyal Lenson Blinder. but he will need a slice of luck. Legacy, Send It Geopelia, Shronedragh Rose, Lanody Viking (3rd 3L/nk 29 SPK), Coolemount Bally Coolronan Lotto, Berties Boys, Kildare Farmshop, Mary, Away Benny, Curious Gal, Cromac Dawn, T€74.20. Boy 7/2 29.38; Droopys Chimes 5/2 21.48; Waltzers They have been the two Clonbrien Prince remains Brend. 525 – Boxer Taylor, Knocknaseed Suzy, 525–:BaytownAg(BallymacVic-Baytown Engel) (4) Away 5/4 28.63; Dryland Sally 6/1 19.26. (5th 8L/nk29.02 SPK), PumaKing (2nd 4L18.1 DBP), Ballydoyle Valor, Maresas Dream, Holycross Idaho, EdenvaleYale, Morning Dream, Domingo Street, Matts Stormy Amie, Cillians Choice, Millridge Cody, Sleepy Ballybough Jack (2nd 2L 29.47 ECY). Totos Park, Te Amo, Shelone Castle, Kylehill Mozart. Monica, Mals Boy, Drumnafern Ciara. favourites for this classic since the choice and can win from 2/1, Cuil Flash (1) 6/4, Starshinepassion (5) 6/1, Burgess Doireann. 525 – Killahan Azza, Devon Flash, Gallarus Eddie (6) 2/1, Abbeyville Cian (2) 5/1. 2.5L 28.99 (D 350 –:Undercover (3rd 2.25L 21.23 DLK), the draw was made and they Lenson Blinder. Driocht, Unbroken, Sporting Hayden, Bearatracks. GALWAY Ballymac Trinkle (5th 6.25L 28.6 SPK), Hazels Murray). T€4.40 2.40 1.70 F€11.50 T€54.00. Gainstown Sianna 3/1 29.69; Willrose Bolt 2/1 19.75; CURRAHEEN PARK(7.35) will run from neighbouring Ballyanne Sim and 525 – Steady Dasher, Register, Hide And Seek, 525–:KacysNemo(Droopys Cain-Wendy La La) (2) Hope (4th 12L 21.41 MGR), Jimmy Blue Eyes 525–:Black Minstrel, BoherDaisey, Cooleagh Recruit, LIMERICK (7.39) Carmac Maura, Chilout Sarkozy, March Seventeen. Fast Fit Buddy 4/5 19.41; Beslow Killure 2/1 29.05; (5th 8.5L 21.27 MGR), Heisman (1st NA 18.73 SPK), traps tonight. Lenson Blinder Rockybay Rover have 2/1, Cuil Missile (3) 7/4, Lolos Bear(5) 4/1,JamaicaJoy Toms Legend 4/5 19.33; Lincoln Champion 1/1 19.29; Canadian Trevor, Aghaburren Chick, Boherash Dash. 525–:Lightfoot Cara, Bright Kari, Bright Helen, Mine 325 – Steeple Rd Ethan, Oak Spice, Thunder Mac, (6) 3/1, Lapari Supreme (4) 4/1. NK 29.35 (N Turner). Droopys Steel (4th 4.5L 28.57 WFD). 525 – Knockboy Ruby, Boherash Noah, Aghaburren Quest, KantoherLass, LissycaseyJayne. 525–Airfield has been marginally fancied been withdrawn from the Grogeen Country, Tobarmartin Blue, Yorkville Rosie. Cudkevinbewrong 2/1 29.44;Tiermana Flash 1/1 29.38; 525 –:Ballymac Tabor (1st 4.5L 28.92 SPK), T€3.20 1.70 1.40 F€13.30 T€58.90. BalisticJohnny 29.24; Palmtree Star2/1 29.24; Buttsys Oscar, Not So Hot, Boher Merchant, MizenJet. 330– Heir, Hovex Dunk, West Tip, Designer Label, Kranky by the layers but Clonbrien Gain Select ‘Stakes semis 525 – Knock Legacy, Post Penny, Lane Rd Recruit, 525 –:Rathannyparadise (Blackstone Gene- Jaytee Geronimo (6th 14.5L/dis 28.65 LMK), Rustys Yappees, CarrigladTess, Gallant Lass,Tommys Wayne, Boherna King. 750–CarrigmoreJet, Calendar Droumeragh Olive, Kilmore Gold, Irremore Max. 525 Boy 2/1 29.11. Ballyhale Blaze (1st 2L 16.34 CML), Parlow Prince (9.54) beat him by six at Waterford and Cabra Storming Coco) (6) 4/1, Domestic Dynamo (1) 1/1, Flyer, Viola, Lyreen Peanut. 525 – Casimir, Unknown Zoey,Jalapeno Pa, Sporting Diamond, Mail RoadView, –Lanody Mike, Millridge Blitz, Lassa Exquisite, Send It Beechview Lady (3) 4/1,TinnockProximo (5) 4/1,Telstar Sanka (3rd 6.5L 28.66 SPK), Fernhill Lola (4th KILKENNY Misty, Whiteys Pip, Ardera Beth, Midian Jack, Fair Corporate Iona. 350 – Seekers Vision, Cashen Kuba, lengths last week. Hurricane can be the night’s Hobbs, Dramatic Rosie, Sign On Aki. 525–Chutehall (2) 4/1, Abbeyville Oscar (4) 4/1. 2L29.21 (LO’Rourke). 9.0L 28.92 SPK), RallyingJet (3rd 4.0L 29.91 SPK). Recruit. 330–Useless, Easy And Free, Lyreen Falcon, Knockalton Guy, Will Chance Him, Airfield Biddy, Dauber,Abbey Storm, Gallarus Lisrona, Headleys Belle, Slaneyside Rhona 5/2 29.94; Totos Sprite 9/4 29.94; 525 –:Holycross Frank (3rd 2L 29.22 SPK), Lenson is a strong starter banker in the second heat. T€750.00 5.80 3.40 F€1.70 T€20.30. Goulane Millie, Dromscarramedody, Mars Return. Lughill Robbie. 525 – Inislosky Cyan, Allaghaun Tims Pearl, Misty Nidge. 550 –:Airlie Couthinho (Skywalker Puma-Black Condor Judy 7/4 29.44; Moynevilla Annie 4/1 29.96; Triangle Fantasy (1st 3L 28.83 SPK), Nitro 525 – Gowlane Actress, Sportmans Ivy, Dromana River, Youngfellathanks, Keeperhill Louis, Rathnasare and stayer while Blastoff Jet Michael Fortune Floating res: Beginish Breeze, Clounamon Angel, Trumera Wood 7/4 29.46; Ambitious Glyder 3/1 29.65; Notorious (1st2L28.87 SPK), Lebudgiesmuggler Eyed Magic) (1) 5/4, Lisgreen Jack (2) 4/1, Swindon Queen, Dusky Socks, Curragh Faye, Foilareel Daisy. Champ, Clearly Written. 525 – Knockbawn Rankin, Millridge Pedro, Rushpool Dave, Seomra Kate, Flexible Mick (5) 3/1, Paradise Kody (3) 4/1, Catunda Phantom Dolce Vita 4/1 29.26; Fill The Till 5/2 29.53; Trumera (5th 8.0L 29.55 ECY), Champs Boy (1st sh 29.26 330 – Miss Sydney, Hulla Tiger, Calm Storm, Lochbo Bling Bling Lola, Rockalong Aqua, Alberta Billy, Take Lady, Leams Puma, Beginish Billy, Bright Bell, Millridge Quarry 3/1 29.47. NWB), Grading Rocket (2nd 4.5L 28.92 SPK). (6) 3/1. HD 30.21 (K Losty). T€5.00 2.70 2.70 F€29.00 Eagle, Vercingetorix, Lyreen Duke. 525 – Arclight Control, Honthehill. 525 – Music Toour Ears, Lemon Zoey, Millridge Tip, Knockunder Brody, Teevee Allie, T€55.10. 525 –:Cinder Ash (5th 17L 28.79 SPK), Nametab Turbo, Slaneyside Monro, Droopys Hawk, Satin Victor, Shane, Rural Vic, Sawdust Club, Budgie Marbh, Lugs Moyvane Mystic, Giovan Astral, Loher Storm, Pretty NEWBRIDGE Anubis (1st 3.5L28.67 NWB), BoreenmannaHero 525 –:Rathanny Mojo (Confident Rankin-Oneco Business Gold, Zoe. 525–Dusky Oasis, Knocknaseed Branno. 800–SunoakAthena, Elusive Heights, Brindle Olivia, Hillview Paddy. Windseye Madison 3/1 29.65; Clana 5/4 29.40; Silverhill (3rd 5L 28.58 SPK), Rural Romance (1st nk 29.02 Martina) (1) 6/1, Woodhaven Moon (4) 6/1, Five From Baby, Jokers Scamp, Slaneyside Meryl, Haven Breese, Ciss,Willowdale Diva, MinorRacer,Jaytee Patriot. 575 350–:Trump Card, He Rocks, ClonearlJet, Abbeyville Black, Bective Zita, Wee Pickle Jet, Wee Puma. Kara 2/1 29.37; Saffron Sky 5/4f 28.83; Bee Sharp 9/4 SPK), Burgess Helena (6th 11.5L/hd 28.62 WFD), Ten (6) 7/1, Deadly Legend (2) 5/4, Outlier Deise (5) Creamery Ace. 525 – Super Steele, Sleek Jerry, Dims – Bueno, Cosard Jet, Millmount Blue, Adrigole Corky, Trump, Coolemount Kid, Drumleen Mac. 525–So Have Floating res: Ardevan Jewel, Nans Brae, Lala WATERFORD (7.46) 29.01; Black Eske 2/1 17.84; Some Storm 2/1 30.33; Courthouse King (1st 7.5L 28.32 CRK). 2/1, Glenanore Hero (3) 3/1. NK 29.09 (L O’Rourke). Boy, Tails, Churchfield Der, Mumhan Express. 525 Sporry Majestic, SkywalkerCoral. 550–Nice Charmer, I, Moneyhill Chloe, Springwell Dawn, Ohthereprince, Lucy, Highview Venus, Moneyhill Zoe, Dew Respect, 525 –:Drive On Betsy, Minglers Venom, Seans Molly, Hillside Sean 5/2 30.37; PrettyWise 3/1 29.45; Ferndale 750 –:Are Nagini (1st 8L 41.74 SPK), Towcester T€8.20 3.10 2.00 F€68.20 T€228.90. – Dusky Blue, Slaneyside Brady, Cill Dubh Chief, Crohane Ronnie, Clonbrien Prince, Lenson Blinder, Clonearl Tiger, Congress Rooster. 525 – Our Katie, Catunda Dolores, Aces N Eights, Let Me Loose, Whiteys Sunrise, Superb Elegance, Bull Run Beauty. Tuckey 5/2 29.65; Pennys Wright 1/1 30.73. Story (1st 5L 41.61 SPK), Greenfield Matty (3rd 525–:CushieChange(DroopysJet-Except Change) Shlowdown David, Gowlane Scolari, Gaytime Vince. Blastoff Jet, Urban Jet. 525 – Selinas Oscar, Orlando Confey Joy, Zulu Lord, Pagestown Major, Catunda Home Mai, Castlelost Amigo, Nurney Hal, Esperance, 525 – Fox Cub, Telex Brat, Exiles Road, Glenbervie 4L 18.83 SPK), Ross Swift (2nd 5L 41.61 SPK), (1) 5/2, CloneygathTonto (5) 3/1, Ravenswood Lisa (2) 525 – Unknown Vision, Slaneyside Behan, Slanan Breeze, Sir Fred, Air Pilot, Milesian Wave, Braveheart Lucas, Leinster Lady. 525 – Motorbar Memory, Chatam Lady, Bective Belinda, Hello Rebel, Ionic Buzz, Anne, Running Scholar, Brynoffa Honey. 325–Whiteys Wanganui (2nd 8L 41.74 SPK), Droopys Lagoon 5/1, Suzies Mick (6) 2/1, Shady Blue (3) 7/2, Caleta Fox TRALEE Ted, VancouverDrama, Loskeran Vardy, Neds Present. Bobby. 600 – Panther, Mucky Express, Windsor Pa, Moneyhill Nell, Kilbride Allout, HeatherTime, Antigua Knockmant Robin, Rocket Heart. Ludwig, Ketch Up Sweep, CrowsgroveJet,Jumbos Pal, (1st NA 31.15 WFD). (4) 6/1. 1L28.88. T€2.70 2.30 5.00 F€14.80 T€64.80. Millridge Astro 6/4 18.63; Westwind Maxi n/o 29.23; Floating res: Cronody Kathy, Galley Tia, Corrough Drive On Tipp, Mongys Boy, Skywalker Logan. 550 – Pearl, Confey Flower. 525 – Out Back, Lahinch Rockys Pride, Let Fly Dazzler. 325 – Taupo, Astons 525 –:God Of Fire (1st 2L 28.93 SPK), Kylehill 525–:JerryJunior(Romeo Recruit-Ketch Up Bell) Aughacasla Diane 6/4 29.76; Toremore Rising 3/1 Rebel, Dynamo Supreme, Village Customer, Chinook BallyelanTurbo, Ballydaniel Benz, Knockbawn Jasper, Runaway, Moneyhill Bonnie, Pluto My Pal, Hallelujah, THURLES PARK (8.02) Belle, Crossfield Lazer, Rockmount Hi, RockysTreasure, Strauss (2nd 2L 28.93 SPK), Patanjali (2nd 3L (1), Tinnock Maximus (5), Abington Hero (6), Lolos 18.12; Thatsthedeal 6/4f 29.62; Rocket Hero 5/2 Caviar, Sleek Pursuit, Alexs Minnie, Rydell, Gangster, Quilty Maestro, Firestorm Ellie, Lissycasey Lola. Fagans Honey. 525 – Antigua Buterfly, Motorbar 525 –:Mallogs Cooper, Morpheus Tang, Pukka Ballydaniel Sky. 525 – Davids Emma, Leahs Superior, 29.01 SPK), BallinacrowLady (3rd 4L 28.93 SPK), Gatha (2), Ravenswood Jimmy (4), Raheny Rambler 29.17; Hawthorn Brandy 3/1 17.99; Kit Commando 6/4f Jenster, Slaneyside Lotte, Adrigole Katie, Montana Floating res: Teevee Bailey, Facecooks Boy, Abigail, Home Little Lite, Takeoffurecoat, Evening Twoshoes, Lisatunny Anny, Daryanoor Jayde, Ring Sound Fella, Ballydaniel Chik, Lismadine Lion, Barro Saeed Tashadelek (1st 3L 29.01 SPK), Sawdust (3). 4.5L 28.69. T€3.60 2.80 3.00 F€10.60 T€20.20. 28.82; Knocknacree Sky 4/1 29.06; Tims Ranger 5/2 Vicky, Great Customer, Glynnscross Josh, Serene Bettyville Lark, Trembling Juliet, Greenisle Hades, Sunset, SpringwellJune. 600–Flicker Fusion, Sail On John. 525 – Rossmore Rico, Beannacht Maura, Princess. 525–Whiteys Indigo, Baby Alice, Kellsboro Sammie (3rd 3.5L 29.01 SPK). 525 –:Milldean Marie (Superior Product-Borna 29.06. Storm, Unknown Kitty, Da BlueThing,Arclight Rumble, Urban Hoff, Hazelhill Wonder, Sheedy Sky, Tally Ho Button, Alamo Royal, Scruffs Copper, Maggies Magic, Rahyvira Dream, Twomile Maurice, Lisatunny Robin, Bella, Genuine Banksey, Carrigoe Billy, Glenbervie 550–:CuilLegend(2nd5L29.82SPK), Fahrenheit Gem) (4) 5/4, Cuil Cheetah (3) 3/1, Lazy Leg (6) 5/2, Serene Buddy, Murlens Madison, Steeple Rd Swift, Sally, Ballygibba Dawn, Episode, Coolagorna Sam, Oh Grace. 525 – Hazelbank Reagan, Set The Limit, Couldbeanything. 525–Scarra Dream, RubbleTrouble, Vault. 525 – Boozed Blue, Crossfield Will, Budgie Lor (5th 9.0L 28.15 CRK), Mags Image (1st 8.5L Lolos Miracle (1) 4/1, Shugabear Barber (2) 5/1. SH WATERFORD Daithis Legacy, Murdaniel Isle. Miss Taff, Im The Daddy, Go Again, Cheeky Bob, Mags Chaperal, Clondouglas Lady, Colly Wobbles, SherTrying,AnytimeJackson, BeannachtTrish, Bounce Wudgie, Newinn Lester, Clona Blaze, Boyhero. 28.53 SPK), Boylesports Boom (6th 10.0L/sh/ 28.86 (M Gilbert). T€2.50 1.70 1.40 F€9.60 T€29.50. Crossfield Jay 2/5f 28.77; Nans Camilo 6/4 28.88; Orlando Charlie, Pocket Job, Cash Is King, Confused Kilbride Gem. 525–Leemount Lari, Anotherfootstop, Back. 525 – Fort Lough, Honey Shilo, Anytime Jake, 525–:Glanmire Dylan, Ballyanne Sim, Rockybay Rover, nk 30.52 ECY), Ninja Penny (1st 1L 29.22 SPK), 525 –:Barnacuiga Bart (Superior Product- Go Maestro Go 6/4 28.99; All About Tact 1/1 28.78; DUNDALK (8.05) Reilly, Mohane Zara, Roadstone Barney, Packing Heat, Home Jess, Abbeyville Swift, Garrs Boy, Coolemount Code Jenny, Colmyard Harry, Devilsbit Rover. 525 Doggy MCDogface, Cabra Hurricane, Kilgraney Master. Ballymac Heather (6th 7.5L 29.91 SPK). Barnacuiga Eile) (1) 9/4, Coolronan Lotto (5) 5/1, Cuil Drunken Purchase 5/2 29.83; Lughill Grace 1/3f 400 –:Harrys Present, Cantcallherthat, Kernon Ballyard Jenny, Lassa Excitement, Shaneboy Kimmy. Micro. 525 – Knockmant Ava, Abitofginger, Pearl – Rahyvira Hope, Star Honour, Volcanic Lava, Bullet 525 – Droopys Alice, Dans Charm, Storeman Tom, 525 –:Howth Head (1st 2L 28.58 SPK), Priceless King (3) 5/1, Ballymac Noah (4) 5/2, Our Boy Mike 28.51; Rastafari Bob 1/2f 29.41; Ballintee Blaze 1/1 Sapphire, Tullymurry Archi, Furiously Fast, Vincys Spectre, Springwell Mouse, Slim The Jockey, Home Oldchapel, Bakerslane Blues, Cheeky Bob. 330–Our Angry Lauren, Kilgraney Denver, Great Occasion. 525 Blake (3rd 8L 28.34 SPK), Jackeen Flyer (1st (2) 7/2, Lughill Ivy (6) 5/1. 2L 28.76. T€2.60 1.60 1.90 29.24. Jaxxon. 400 – Messan Meadow, Flutterby Karma, MULLINGAR (7.48) Roger. 525–Pride Of Luck, SpringwellJudy, Weather Belles Boy, Galmonian Richie, Neds N Spain, Move –Kingsmill Sprite, Roaming Hero, Blue East, Droopys F€66.30 T€131.50.

EQUESTRIAN EVENTS Shanagher (Clare), J Sheridan (Kildare), G Walsh 70, C Paisley 67 69, D Fichardt (Rsa) 68 68, HTanihara Other Irish: 74 J Caldwell (NIrl), 75 K Phelan, w/d R Bland (Eng),J McLeary (Sco), O Suhr (Den),J Heath Flames 6 Colorado Avalanche 5, Detroit Red Wings Young Player of the Season: E Turner (UCD (Jpn) 72 64; (Eng), M Capone (USA). 4 New Jersey Devils 3, Edmonton Oilers 4 Chicago LYON LONGINES GRAND PRIX Capt, (Antrim). L Donnelly. Waves), S Doyle (Galway Women’s),J Ziu (Shelbourne). FACTFILE 137 L Bjerregaard (Den) 70 67, D Burmester (Rsa) 72 LAS COLINA Irish: 72 C O’Rourke. Blackhawks 0, Florida Panthers 2 Winnipeg Jets 4. U-17PlayeroftheSeason: EWhelan (Shelbourne), Int.jumpingcompetitionwithjump-off(1.60 LEINSTER CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIPS 65, M Wallace 67 70, A Wu (Chn) 66 71, G Green (Mal) Alicante, Spain PGATOUR S Brennan (Galway Women’s), A Horgan (Limerick) m): 1 Tobago Z/D Deusser (Ger) 34.60 secs. Irish: JHC: St Maurs (Dublin) v Erins Own (Carlow), MOTORSPORT Postponed due to a bereavement. A new date 67 70, P Larrazabal (Spa) 68 69; Rd 1 scores (par 71): 63 C Braeunig (Ger), C Robb SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN OPEN Golden Boot Winner: A Barrett (Peamount Utd). 3 Jasco vd Bisschop/M McAuley 35.98 secs, 7 SFS 138 T Pulkkanen (Fin) 68 70, S Lowry (Irl) 68 70, (Sco), N von Dellingshausen (Ger) 64 M Simonsen SATURDAY Aristio/Anthony Condon 39.58 secs, 9 Cassini Z D has been set for Saturday 10th November at a Dublin TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada TENNIS Venue, 1.30. W Ormsby (Aus) 70 68, E Van Rooyen (Rsa) 67 71, L (Den), R Enoch (Wal); 65 A Canizares (Spa), S Tarrio Leading Rd 2 scores (USA unless stated, par CARLOWCC– SportingTrial, Garryhundun, Milford, Kenny 34.93 secs, Westwood 66 72, M Schwab (Aut) 69 69; Ben, K Reitan (Nor), L van Meijel (Ned), 66 J Kolbing Co Carlow, 11.0am, Postponedto10thNovember. ATP Int jumping competition against clock TOMORROW 72): 132 A Ancer (Mex) 66 66; 135 R Fowler 68 67, C 139 S Kjeldsen (Den) 71 68, R Paratore (Ita) 73 66; (Ger), F Aguilar (Chl), J Gressier (Fra), D Perrier (Fra). PARIS MASTERS (1.40m):1Chacon LS la Silla/Mathieu Billot (Fra) 58.67 SHC quarter-final: Ballyboden-St Enda’s (Dublin) Kirk 69 66;136R Werenski 70 66, P Malnati 70 66, G RUGBY 140 M Kinhult (Swe) 70 70, A Sullivan 72 68, R Fox Irish: 71 R McGee, 75 C Raymond. Paris, France – Selected AMERICAN FOOTBALL secs. Irish: 26 Angela de Kreisker/H Allen 60.58. v Clonkill (Westmeath), Postponed due to a Woodland 69 67,J Vegas (Col) 71 65, S Stallings 67 69, (Nzl) 69 71, B Hebert (Fra) 71 69, Coetzee (Rsa) 70 70, EL ENCÍN ALLIRELAND LEAGUE Quarter-Finals:K Khachanov (Rus) bt (4)A Zverev NFL Int jumping competition against the clock bereavement.A new date for the match is expected D McCarthy 71 65, S Reeves 64 72;137 GMcDowell L Slattery 70 70; Madrid, Spain Division 1A: Clontarf 17 (A Feeney, C Daly try (Ger) 6-1 6-2, (6) D Thiem (Aut) bt (16) J Sock (USA) (1.25m):1 Berlioz d’Henann/Lou Morali (Fra) 65.61 to be confirmed today. (NIrl) 70 67,VTaylor68 69, K Streelman 70 67, S Ryder San Francisco 49ers 34 Oakland Raiders 3. 141 A ohnston 71 70, J Campillo (Spa) 72 69, J Rd 1 scores (par 72): 63 J Geary (Nzl); 64 J each, D Hawkshaw, pen, con, DJoyce con) UCD6(M 4-6 6-4 6-4, (2) N Djokovic (Ser) bt (5) M Cilic (Cro) secs. Irish:12 RockDeeJay/Seamus Hughes-Kennedy 66 71, P Rodgers 69 68, J Niemann (Chl) 69 68, T GOLF Lagergren (Swe) 72 69, A Chesters 72 69, L Herbert Fernandez-Valdes;66 C Berrardo (Fra), B Haffthorsson Gilsenan 2 pens); TerenureCollege8 (J Glynn try, 4-6 6-2 6-3. BADMINTON 71.20secs. Merritt 72 65, W Simpson 68 69, M Kuchar 68 69, T EUROPEANTOUR (Aus) 73 68, R Rock 73 68, S Gallacher 70 71, J Wang (Ice); 67 T Tree (Eng), J Wrisdale (Eng), A Wilson Finau 69 68 S Im (Kor) 72 65, G Cunningham 70 67. J Thornton pen) Dublin University 25 (A Greene, U-18 CIRCUIT GRADE 4 Int jumping competition in two phases (1.50 (Kor) 70 71; 142 S Sharma (Ind) 70 72, T Bjorn (Den) (Eng), D Cooke (USA), C Ford (Eng), D Boote (Wal), M Kearney, J Kelly try each,J Fennelly 2 pens, 2 cons). BWFWORLDTOUR TURKISH AIRLINES OPEN Other Irish: 150 S Power 75 75. Sint-Katelijine-Waver, Belgium m): 1 Carlotta/E Gaudiano (Ita) 26.43 secs. Irish: 5 73 69, A Bjork (Swe) 73 69, A Rai 71 71, A Quiros (Spa) M Carlsson (Swe), C Hanson (Eng), U Coussaud (Fra); Division 2A: Cashel RFC 30 Nenagh Ormond 7. SAARLORLUX OPEN Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, Turkey Boys’SinglesRd3:(4)AElamin(Irl)bt (16) FVan Miebello/M McAuley 28.29 secs. 69 73. 68 C Sharvin (NIrl), N Tinning (Den), T Cruz (Por), Saarlandhalle, Germany – Irish only Rd 2 scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 71): CHALLENGETOUR Sambeek (Ned) 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-2. SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND A Daydou (Fra). SNOOKER GAELIC GAMES 130 J Rose 65 65; GRAND FINAL U-18 CIRCUIT GRADE 4 MixedDoubles–Rd2: S Magee/C Magee lost to M DESERT SPRINGS Irish: 70 N O’Briain, R Dawson. INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TODAY 132 T Lewis 69 63, T Olesen (Den) 65 67, D Willett Al Hamra GC, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE Fujairah, United Arab Emirates Ellis(Eng)/L Smith (Eng) 21-14, 18-21, 21-11. Almería, Spain ALENDA GOLF Daqing, China HURLING-SHINTY INTERNATIONAL 67 65; Rd3scores&totals(Par72):202A Arnaus (Spa) Boys’ Doubles semi-final: (2) C Barry (Irl)/C Rd 1 scores (par 72): 65 D Lawson (Aus); 66 J Alicante,Spain Semi-Final: M Allen (NIrl) bt M Stevens (Wal) 9-6. Abbotstown: Ireland U-21 v Scotland U-21, 2.0. 133 H Li (Chn) 66 67, S Horsfield 66 67, A Otaegui 66 69 67;205V Perez 67 69 69,S Crocker(USA) 71 64 Crowther (Nzl) bt AJevtic (Srb)/NJevtic (Srb) 7-5 6-4. BASKETBALL Abbott (Eng); 67 G Hurley (Irl) S Heisele (Ger), S Rd 1 scores (par 72): 65 A John (Ger), 66 R Sciot- Ireland U-21 squad: T Dowling (Carlow), D Burke (Spa) 68 65, A Levy (Fra) 67 66; 70, D Huizing (Ned) 70 67 68, R Langasque (Fra) 67 WTA NBA Henry (Sco); 68 JP Strydom (Rsa), P Winter (Den), T Siegrist (Fra),M Calderon (Chl); 67 O Lindell (Fin), P SOCCER (Dublin), J Burke (Kildare), A Casey (Carlow), L Devlin 134 J Scrivener (Aus) 67 67, T Fleetwood 68 66; 67 69; 206 JB Hansen (Nor) 72 67 67; 207 J-F Lima ELITE TROPHY Atlanta Hawks 115 Sacramento Kings 146, Boston Clements (Eng), M Eriksson (Swe), S Fernandez (Spa),T Angles (Spa); WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE AWARDS (Tyrone), C Doyle (Westmeath), K Doyle (Westmeath), 135 J Suri (USA) 67 68, M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 70 65, P (Por) 70 66 71. Irish: 144 M Hoey (NIrl) 75 69 68. Zhuhai, China Celtics 117 Milwaukee Bucks 113, Charlotte Hornets Hunt (Wal), 69 S Khan (Eng), N Moller (Den), A Rocha 68 J Lando Casanova (Fra), N McCarthy (Eng), R De Nominees C Fahy (Galway), D Huane (Mayo), M Kavanagh Dunne(Irl) 64 71, N Colsaerts (Bel) 69 66, M Kaymer GroupA:Q Wang (Chn) bt M Keys (USA) 1-6 6-3 6-1. 107 Oklahoma CityThunder 111, Cleveland Cavaliers 91 (Bra),J Ruth (Eng),J Sjoholm (Swe), 70 GMoynihan Sousa (Swi), C Gane (Eng), JP Huldahl (Den), J Dean SeniorPlayeroftheSeason:A Meaney (Galway (Laois), T O’Kelly Lynch (Sligo), F Mackessy (Kerry), (Ger) 66 69, P Harrington (Irl) 65 70; ICE HOCKEY Group B: G Muguruza (Spa) bt A Sevastova (Lat) Denver Nuggets 110, Philadelphia 76ers 122 LAClippers (Irl), N Cullen (Aus), E Cuarteo Blanco (Spa), M Laskey (Eng), C Gloet (Den), Women’s), N Farrelly (Peamount Utd), K Murphy J Fitzpatrick (Galway), E Murphy (Kerry), D Gaffney 136 T Aiken (Rsa) 71 65, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 66 70, NHL 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-1). Group C: C Garcia (Fra) bt A 113, Portland Trail Blazers 132 New Orleans Pelicans (Wal), M Schmitt (Ger), P Langfors (Swe), B Spooner 69 F Bergamachi (Ita) L Cohen-Boyer (Fra), E De La (Wexford Yths), R Jarrett (Wexford Yths), L Dwyer (Armagh), C Phelan (Laois), D Reck (Wexford), A J Luiten (Ned) 70 66, R Knox 70 66, T Detry (Bel) 66 Sabalenka (Blr) 6-4 6-4 . 119. (Eng), C Casalegno (Ita), K Erikkson (Swe), D Im (USA). Riva (Spa), S Garcia Rodriguez (Spa),AWejshag (Swe), Anaheim Ducks 2 New York Rangers 3 (SO), Calgary (Wexford Yths, A Barrett (Peamount Utd). 8 Saturday, May 4, 2019 IRISH INDEPENDENT Sport Boxing

EXCLUSIVE ‘All I want is to be better tomorrow than I am today,’ says Kellie Harrington. ‘Even if that’s just through some tiny thing, I’ll be happy. I just want to be the best version of me. And when I’m VINCENT HOGAN in peak fitness, I’m hard to beat. When I’m switched on and focused, I’m just a different person.’ HE door shuts, but the gym sounds follow her here, into this narrow, cream-walled room; a whistling, clicking rope; a bag jolting to the fire of hard, unchallenged fists; young feet sinking into can- vas; a bell. Always a bell. T This journey that consumes Kellie Harrington’s life has never had one, big static destination, never a solitary, clearly identifiable end-game. In time, everything just evolves and grows, bending to changed circumstance and understand- ing. She knows it better than anyone; how today’s obsession can be tomorrow’s ciga- Kellie Harrington (left) has her sights rette smoke. set on securing her place in the 2020 So only the sounds have permanency in Olympic Games in Tokyo and (above) this busy boxing workshop, just in behind chatting to Vincent Hogan at the the shops on St Dominic’s Road in Tallaght. St Mary’s Gym in Tallaght She is a world champion, but here, in this KAREN MORGAN place, there are no crowns, no badges. It’s what drew her to St Mary’s, she says, the Mary’s and linking up with Burke, though sense of easy democracy, of champions – in many ways – he was pushing an open waiting their turn for use of the pads behind door. That silver won at 64kg in Astana – “I children there only to learn discipline. was probably as surprised as anybody else” – Noel Burke, her coach, sets that constitu- and then those two test bouts with Mossely tion. No Big Time Charlies here. No heads told her something she just couldn’t ignore. in the clouds. “I started to think ‘I’m holding my own He remembers first seeing her years back, against these girls...’” up in St Saviours in Dorset Street, sparring a local boy. She was with the West Finglas EOPLE assume many things club at the time, this tough inner-city girl about a world amateur boxing with no dreams in her head beyond being champion, one of which is that physically self-sufficient. you will be seen at the next Olym- “You could see she had a little bit about pics. her, some strange moves,” he says now. But it isn’t that simple. Even Pworld champs must earn their “But I don’t know if she had a huge amount of belief in herself. Something ticket to Olympia and Kellie’s first oppor- wasn’t clicking.” tunity to secure a place in Tokyo will come The first time they spoke, she was a World as she attempts to defend her crown in the Championship silver medallist, brought in Siberian city of Ulan-Ude next October. at short notice to the High Performance Before that, in June, she goes to the Euro- Institute to spar two test matches against pean Games in Minsk. Katie Taylor’s successor as world light- Burke believes that, at 29, the possibilities weight champion, Estelle Mossely. for her now are endless. The French girl would win Olympic gold “I’ve never seen an athlete improve so in Rio two years later, but there, in that much,” he states categorically. “Age is left Abbotstown ring, Kellie Harrington dished outside and there’s so much more to come. out more pain than she received. I’ve only seen two other athletes in High She wasn’t even in training at the time, Performance over the years who had Kel- didn’t really have her competition head lie’s work ethic. Katie Taylor was one, young on. But that ring intelligence, that ability Jason Quigley the other. to assimilate tactical detail, that breadth “First in the gym, warm-up done to per- of skill range, specifically that precious gift fection, last to leave. Everybody else is gone, of switching in a whim from orthodox to but she’s still stretching. southpaw, all of these things caught the eye. “Kellie’s a lot fitter now than before she went into those World Championships and Restless she has a talent that’s God-given. She has Kellie was still restless though, still inclined these really strange movements that you to bounce from club to club, from one faith couldn’t teach and sees things earlier than to another. most people. Then Zaur Antia rang Burke, asking “She’s fast, not electrically fast, but her tim- would he take her into St Mary’s. He agreed, ing is fantastic. In a strange way, she doesn’t but only after speaking to her old coach, move the way a boxer should move. Jimmy Halpin, in Glasnevin. Burke wanted “But she’s a great human-being, a dia- to know exactly who and what he’d have mond. The boxing is a bonus with Kellie.” coming through the door. She says their union works because Burke And now? sees the person before the boxer. He reads “She’s a very intelligent human-being,” he the human map. She’s been through her says of Harrington. share of clubs, but never had a coach like “Wouldn’t have had that great a formal him before. He just gets her. And he knows education, but you wouldn’t meet many that this game isn’t the thing that will ulti- people sharper in any walk of life. And mately define Kellie Harrington. what I like about her is she’s demanding. “There’s so much more to coaching than She knows what she needs and if she’s not just coaching,” she says. “Like, I can’t have getting it, she’s not happy. someone who’s just a robot towards me. I “Most boxers will just nod and agree with need someone who is real and honest, who a coach, but with Kellie, it’s very much a is paying attention to me as a human-being two-way thing. She always wants to learn as well as a boxer. Who sees me as Kellie. and you can’t beat honesty. Like, you know, a 29-year-old female who “If there’s a problem with you, you’ll be bloody goes through a cycle once a month, told. Nothing’s hidden.” you know what I mean? KELLIE’SRING “Not just a boxer or a world champion HERE was talk of a giant mural chasing the next medal. There’s so much being planned for somewhere more to it.” near her home place on Portland Row, but the very mention of it Tokyo sets Harrington into an almost Beyond Tokyo, she fancies the idea of sub-conscious audit now of inner- turning pro “with the right contract and Tcity people she considers just as the right people”, but not for some vague, deserving. long-lens ambition. It’ll be a cold business The names come tumbling from the decision if she makes it. One that allows her mouth of someone, it is clear, who will never OFCONFIDENCE “get in and get out” without becoming some get used to being the most important person sad ghost of her past. In the meantime, she in a room. loves this life and what it gives her. But she Wes Hoolahan. recognises that it’s fleeting too. Troy Parrott. “All I want is to be better tomorrow than I Olivia O’Toole. And she’s just begun a certificate in sports kind of have my head screwed on. In some weekends on the household staff of St Vin- “I remember just saying, ‘Dima, thanks am today,” she says flatly. “Even if that’s just Lynn Rafferty. psychology course in Dún Laoghaire, given ways, I’m really smart and in some ways I’m cent’s Psychiatric Hospital in Fairview, very much for everything that you’ve done through some tiny thing, I’ll be happy. I just Barry Keoghan. her fascination with the power of the human really not smart. But I’d be street-smart. describing the patients in St Mary’s ward as for me, because it’s led to this moment, the want to be the best version of me. And when Laurence Kinlan. mind. “Because it’s a great community. Like her “other family”. best time of my life... I’m in peak fitness, I’m hard to beat. When “I could be here all day, naming people Harrington was once an inveterate wor- you’ve Sheriff Street, you’ve up along Port- There, she serves them meals and, “And he was like, fighting the tears back, I’m switched on and focused, I’m just a dif- from the inner-city,” she says with unam- rier, you see. Someone “riddled with nerves”. land Row, Ballybough, Liberty House, Sum- between sittings, essentially puts on a kind ‘No don’t you be thanking me, THANK ferent person. If you see me in the warm-up biguous pride. But she worked a lot of stuff out on her own merhill, while they’re all a good walking of impromptu cabaret show. She loves it, YOU!’ I’ll never forget that. area, you’d be like, ‘she’s losing her mind...’ “These are world-class people who’ve and now actually welcomes that tingle of distance from one another, everyone knows loves them, loves the fun they share. “Later I’m watching him and Zaur cele- “I don’t know, I just turn into a different come out of the same place as me.” anxiety. each other. If something happens up in my “Come 10.0 on Saturday or Sunday morn- brating and I’m nearly crying. Not because species altogether. In time, you notice that Kellie keeps “You almost learn to befriend something neck of the woods, people from Sheriff ing, I don’t feel like I’m an athlete anymore,” I’m a world champion or anything, but “Sport has changed my life for the better returning to Portland Row, pulled back by that’s almost not befriendable if you know Street will look out for you and vice versa. she explains. because of the happiness that these two but that doesn’t mean, if I don’t have boxing, the simple romance and loyalties of its hard what I mean?” she says with a smile. Everyone just clicks together. “I genuinely don’t. That whole part of me is are getting out of it. Because it’s like a something bad is going to happen. My life streets. The decency in its people. How exactly? “Because we all come from the same mad. I go in for the weekend and it’s literally team. Everyone’s put so much in, putting won’t fall apart. My family, my friends, my Her life could have gone in a thousand dif- “I have a theory that it comes from living bloody spoon, you know what I mean?” like I’m going in to put on a show. They’ll all everything together outside the ring, believ- patients up in St Vincent’s, they’ll all still be ferent directions, most of them turbulent, in the inner-city,” is her reply. She’ll do this until she feels the hunger in chance their arms with me and, sure, I’m a ing in me for years when I probably didn’t there for me if the s**t hits the fan. They’ll be but whatever drove her 16-year-old self to “It comes from resilience. I think that her dissolve. The willingness to hurt. sucker. I give in to absolutely everything. believe in myself. there to pick up the pieces with me. walk into Corinthians Boxing Club will for- anyway. I think we’re all just resilient and, Life as an elite athlete precludes any iden- “Then I come home, sit on the chair and “So for them to see that and me to see “The man on the moon or the man walk- ever come back to her as a blessing. I don’t know, street-wise really. I do think tifiable social life, but that doesn’t feel any I’m not joking you, I am dead. I’d be there, them seeing that... ah, that’s something you ing his dog down in the park, he’s going to What is it she remembers of that girl? that we’re tougher than people who are not kind of chore now. Her partner, Mandy, wondering ‘Jesus, why am I so tired?’ can’t buy.” judge me. He’ll either say, ‘Ah, don’t worry “She was hungry, hungry for something from there. And we are... because it’s mad... leads – if anything – an “even healthier” life- “Then I remember ‘Oh yeah, I was training Back in Dublin, Burke watched the fight about it love...’ or it’ll be ‘I knew she wouldn’t’. different,” she says simply. you’ve grown up and you’ve seen... God style, so clean living isn’t any penance here. hard all week too!’ But if I didn’t have that on his phone in his son’s bedroom and And that opinion of me is irrelevant to me. It “Not a world title or anything specific, just knows what you’ve seen... or what you’ve Kellie fights at 60 kilos, an Olympic weight. break with going to work, then I wouldn’t admits he “melted” when her hand was means absolutely nothing. hungry for a different life. Me Ma put me been through. Nine years ago, she was boxing at 69. really have anything. That’s my breakaway raised. Minutes later, Antia’s voice was on “I know who is real. I think I’m old enough into disco-dancing and Irish dancing and “And it just makes you resilient. Like, I The big casualties? from boxing. My non-athlete life.” the end of the phone from India. “We did it!” and wise enough now to be able to see that. ... like... that wasn’t me. I needed something “Batter burgers and chips!” she replies, The patients put up a bit of a shrine to her Always ‘we’. “And I love being able to give. This is not more physical than that. exploding with laughter. when she came home from New Delhi last But here’s the thing about Kellie Harring- a physical thing like a present, like a bottle “And... I just love fighting. Looking back “I don’t know, like, I was only moved down year, that World Championship gold around ton. This wasn’t ever a childhood dream of of perfume or chocolates or flowers. This is at me when I was 16, I still see parts of that from my Ma’s house at that stage, only start- her neck. hers, never a picture in her head. like an emotional thing that I can give. Like, me now.” ing to learn how to cook my own meals. I But if Harrington was a woman on fire at Most people could probably tell you in cin- does that even make sense? Like a spirit. Specifically? don’t know what kind of diet I had back those championships, one small human tab- ematic detail where they were when Katie To be able to share moments like this with “Hunger. Determination. I’m very deter- then, but the chipper was only on the end leau is maybe the most precious thing she Taylor won gold at the London Olympics. everyone... that’s better than anything you mined, always have been. I don’t think you of the road. took from that day she became champion of Kellie’s not even entirely sure where she can give someone. ever lose that.” “And it was hard going by, smelling those the world. watched the fight, just knows she studied it “These are memories. Pictures fade, mem- The only daughter of Yvonne and Chris- lovely, fresh chips! Just after a gulping, breathlessly emotional repeatedly in the weeks that followed. ories don’t.” topher and sister of Christopher Jnr, Aaron When she collected that World call home to her Ma and Da, she bumped She’d been on teams with Taylor and and Joel, she thinks about those qualities Championship light-welterweight into coach Dmitry Dmitruk on her way back understood the work that took her to the and what they represent. silver in Astana, she returned into the arena. mountain-top. As an elite athlete today, Kellie home to life on the dole. It Later, she’d see the video of her corner’s “But I was never looking at her, thinking has access to all the support would be the guts of a year reaction to the verdict, Dmitruk jumping ‘I’m gonna go to the Olympics!’ I was still structures of boxing’s High before funding kicked in, into Antia’s arms and being held there “like on my little journey of just becoming better Performance Unit, occa- yet people assume that a baby, legs off the ground” by the great every day.” LISTEN IN sionally tapping into the wealth, inevitably, fol- Georgian. In truth, it was only about three years ago sports psychology skills of Kellie Harrington proudly displays her lows celebrity. It didn’t But now, it was just her and Dmitruk in a that Harrington took a long, hard look in the Go to independent.ie and Dublin footballer Kevin World Championship gold medal with then. Still doesn’t now. corridor, a spontaneous expression of grati- mirror and decided to get serious. listen to Kellie Harrington’s McManamon. her club coach Noel Burke Kellie actually works tude tumbling forth. That decision coincided with joining St interview with Vincent Hogan Irish Independent 6 SportGaelic Games Saturday 7 July 2018 ‘IknewIwasgone.Butitwasalovely feeling.Itwasthatout-of-body experiencetheytellyouabout. Ihadnopain,thelightwasshining’

E HAD HIS OWN funeral planned down to the music, to the ‘The Great AK’ – once the go-to physical therapist for some of message on the grave, even to the angle they’d Ireland’s greatest sports stars – is a walking miracle having Hset his body at in the coffin. Alan Kelly was ready. He’d been fought two life-threatening bouts of cancer. His ‘Mr Fitness’ meticulous about how he lived and, now, death couldn’t be met tardily. ‘The Great AK’ would go approach that once defined him is his resilience these days in a style befitting his story. Some of Ireland’s biggest sports personalities knew him only as this teak-tough physical therapist with an almost evangelical positivity out of whose Tallaght clinic human miracles seemed to walk. He was a gym-six-times-a-week man. Never smoked, never drank. Fitter than most of his clients and not entirely shy about telling them. His table was no place for precious petals and when Peter Canavan was getting an ankle treated, Kelly would commence each session by inviting him to look at a signed photograph on the wall. It was of Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney lifting the Sam Maguire in ’02. “There’s hard men and there’s McGeeney!” he’d laugh to the Tyrone legend. His surgery became a library of testimonials. “Thanks for the hands.” – Pádraig Harrington “From the centre to the great.” – Brian O’Driscoll “To the great one, thanks for everything.” – DJ Carey “From Mullinahone to Tallaght, simply the best.” – John Leahy “To the ‘Great’, you’re the man.” – Ronan O’Gara. Alan Kelly enjoying He’d show them his physique, the sunshine in inviting anyone to take a shot. He Bushy Park,Terenure looked and sounded indestructible. GERRY MOONEY Felt it too. Then the unthinkable happened. The man who kept fixing things ended up broken himself. To begin with, he blamed silly the mantelpiece in his Terenure things. Maybe he’d walked too far. apartment, one emblazoned with ***** Eaten too much fruit. Drank too the message, “Not every super-hero JULY 25, 2014, the date registers VINCENT much water. wears a cape!” now as the beginning of the rest of But back home that sense of Last Sunday, Kelly made his his life. Or, maybe more accurately, disorientation deepened. He first trip back to his old surgery the day he came to realise how HOGAN bled badly when getting his next on Old Bawn Road. His room control is an illusion in any human hormonal implant. He picked up a has been rented out to a clinical story. bad chest infection. psychotherapist and the sight of all Diagnosed with prostate cancer, His next appointment with his possessions boxed downstairs he remembers standing by his McNulty behind,” he chuckles now. ***** Professor McCaffrey was August 18 set him crying. The last entry in car outside Blackrock Clinic, the “They were my shields. So no ANOTHER date then, all but seared and as soon as he walked into the his professional diary was for the sun beating down from a perfect, matter how badly the radiation into his psyche with a branding consultation room, the professor August Bank Holiday weekend. cornflower sky and all his faculties burnt me, I wasn’t going to feel it. iron. October 16, 2015. The day he recognised something was He says it felt as if the world frozen. That’s what I did with my head.” entered the hormonal programme. profoundly wrong. stood still the day he got sick and He’d been experiencing Seven weeks later, his bloods His own choice of language goes to “You’re green AK!” he told Kelly. hasn’t quite yet begun to spin again. discomfort in the pelvic area came back clear. The war, it a much starker place. “You look like you’ve fallen off a The dream is to return to work for maybe 18 months, finally seemed, was over. “I was castrated on my birthday,” cliff.” a calendar year after that first undergoing a trans-rectal biopsy in “And that’s when I decided, in a he says bluntly. “And I’ll never It was discovered he had diagnosis, but only time will reveal search of the problem. moment of madness, that I would forget it. I cried uncontrollably pneumonia and he was hospitalised if that’s possible. On July 12, an Now, 10 days later, he had embrace the $65 billion snake- every night for six weeks. That in The Mater Private. Twenty-five evening will be held in his honour this sheet of paper in his hands, oil industry which I was always was the one thing I didn’t want bags of steroids later, the patient felt in the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan confirming the need for CT and very fond of growing up. I said to to happen because I knew what bomb-proof again and was allowed where old friends like McGeeney, nuclear bone scans to, as the Anne, my receptionist, ‘Get the was coming down the track. I home. Alan Kelly with Dublin football manager Jim Gavin McNulty, Dessie Farrell, Dr Martin consultant put it, “make sure the Nutribullet out, I’m going vegan!’ understood it. He considered himself well cancer hasn’t spread into any of “So no sugar, no meat, I wanted “I became hugely hormonal as enough to celebrate his younger severity of what was coming down chemo, 300 bags of antibiotics, your vital organs or your bones”. broccoli, spinach, kale, spirulina, I my body changed. And I had all son Stevie’s birthday by arranging the track.” countless transfusions. Kelly’s first instinct was that wanted tumeric, I wanted ginger, I the physiological responses – rage, to meet for lunch in South William His memory of the worst of it is Then, everything stopped in of the drowning man reaching wanted organic porridge, I wanted denial, blame. Why me? Street. He just had to report back framed endlessly by the kindness March. He thought the battle for a life belt. He sought a second low GI bread, I wanted vitamin “I continued to fight a battle to hospital that morning at 9.0am of those around him. “What really was won. And that was when he opinion. “Only one man I wanted,” C, D and E. Everything into the when the war had been lost. It was for another blood test. “Be out by came home to me was when I’d contracted the bug that tried to kill IFTHATHAPPENED, he recalls. That man was Gerry blender and I drank a pint of it ridiculous until, finally, I came to midday,” he promised Stevie. be at my sickest during the night, him. McEntee. every day, the idea being to flush an acceptance of my condition. But McCaffrey had ordered a vomiting, the bed destroyed, when It comes back to him in a haze I’DHAVECOMEBACK The scans confirmed everything my system clean. “Some of my friends had gone bone marrow biopsy, too. And Kelly I was all over the place, they would now. He was trying to get out of the TOHAUNTEVERYONE he’d been told though and so he through the same thing, so why all but knew the bad news before he come and clean me. They were just bed at one point to wash himself went into the care of Dr Kiaran MILLIONDOLLARS not me? Acceptance was the only heard it. so kind.” because he’d always held to this BECAUSEI’VEBEENSO O’Malley, noted urologist in the “The drink tasted like tomcat’s way I knew I could go on. I couldn’t His room was on the seventh mantra of, “it’s unfortunate to be FITALLMYLIFE,THAT Mater and also doctor to the piss but, every morning, down the continue to fight. So I started to SHEETOFPAPER floor, overlooking Mountjoy sick; it’s unforgiveable to look sick” Dublin football team. hatch. ‘I’m going to look a million talk to my cancer. I had this picture “Professor McCaffrey came out Prison. He’d spend hours peering and, well, not quite making it to WASTHELASTTHINGI AK’s choice was to have dollars’!” of a skeleton in my surgery and I’d with this sheet of paper in his down into the yard, watching the the sink. He remembers Anthony, WANTEDONMY the cancer cut from his body But more blood tests at the got a radiologist friend to mark the hand and calls my name,” he prisoners do their daily walk and the health care worker, getting him DEATHCERTIFICATE robotically, to go to war with it. He end of July, more bad news. “My location of my tumours in a pencil. remembers now. “Except, it’s ‘Alan’. wondering if, even behind bars, back into bed. remembers waking up post-surgery reading was now 30, something “And every morning I’d speak Once he called me that, I went ‘Uh their predicament had a freedom And after that? Essentially, he and, instinctively, attempting to seriously wrong going on. I looked to those tumours. ‘Don’t mess oh!’ He’d been calling me AK for still escaping him. He got “a carrot remembers dying. McAleese, Tommy Dunne, Dr Liam reach down. great, but I was dying on the with me today lads and I won’t the previous 18 months. cake and two bags of chemo” for his “I knew I was gone,” he says of Hennessy and RTÉ’s Brian Carthy “It wasn’t easy. Both arms were inside.” mess with you...’ They became my “He sits me down and goes, 66th birthday. coming around in Intensive Care. will all participate. The focus of wired up, my legs were in vascular He was put in the care of a friends almost. It had taken me the ‘I’ve very bad news for you. Your And music eased his burden. “But it was a lovely feeling. It was the night will be the importance of stockings, I had a moon bag in, a medical oncologist, Professor John most horrific two months after the bone marrow has failed. You’ve When getting the chemo, he’d that out-of-body experience they resilience. catheter in, but all I could think McCaffrey – “the man I dreaded, castration to reach that resolution. acute myeloid leukaemia, a very close his eyes and visualise being tell you about. I had no pain. The Kelly knows now that few can was, ‘I’m alive!’” the one who controlled the “But I finally got there...” dangerous blood cancer and I’m on a beach in Marbella, water light was shining. I was just... out out-qualify him on that topic. The surgery had gone well and hormonal treatment programme.” And for the next 18 months, afraid I won’t be able to look after lapping around his feet. He’d place there. And I was aware of a huge “My motto now is ‘Life’s not Kelly’s own physiological expertise Professor McCaffrey proposed The Great AK re-embraced some you. The team are on the way from his iPhone on his shoulder, blasting fuss around me. about waiting for the storm to pass, meant he was well versed in the he go to the University Hospital semblance of his old life again. But haemotology.’ out the songs that he’d grown up to. but learning to dance in the rain,’” abdominal exercises required to in Heidelburg where a specialist fate hadn’t quite finished with this “So you go from thinking you The artists who were ’50s and ’60s ORGANFAILURE he says with a smile. make a quick recovery. machine, unavailable in Ireland, story. might have a little run in Bushy gods. Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, “I could hear them talking about “So I’m dancing in the rain. I Within four weeks, he had could do a prostate-specific ***** Park, then meet your son in TK Manfred Mann, Bobby Darin and how I had organ failure, how my don’t know, no more than anybody dispensed with the incontinence membrane antigen scan. SOME time last summer, he began Maxx to, within an hour, lying in a Bobby Vee. blood pressure had failed, how else knows, what’s ahead. All I do pads and, as his three-month The procedure was carried out feeling washed out, oddly out of hospital bed, wired up.” And he had an extra reason to my oxygen stats were on the floor. know is that I’m very high-risk, check-up approached, all seemed with impressive German efficiency, kilter. He started to experience dizzy Kelly’s family was called in to keep going, to keep fighting. And I knew that my only chance that I’ve had two life-threatening tranquil in his world. just a two-hour stretch between spells, had a few falls. be briefed on the gravity of his Anthony’s wife, Fionnuala, was to take deep breaths as best cancers and I’m walking around on That check-up came two weeks arrival at the hospital and the On a week-long break in Spain, situation now. Over the next 10 was expecting and Kelly wanted, I could. There was a tube in my fumes today my bloods are so weak. before Christmas and he got his specialists sitting him down to he was watching one of the Lions days, he would be intravenously fed if nothing else, to live to see his mouth and a mask over my face. “My leukaemia is gone but for bloods done in advance through his hear their findings. And that was Tests from New Zealand with an 23 bags of chemotherapy. grandchild. “Any way you’d give “And all I’m thinking is, ‘Blow, how long who knows? But then who own GP, who seemed puzzled by an when Kelly’s blood ran cold. old acquaintance from London With his immune system already birth sooner,” he’d half-joke to just blow with everything you knows anything? If I let my head go almost unchanged PSA (Prostate- “I went to Germany with one Irish when, inexplicably, Kelly seriously compromised, the threat Fionnuala when they’d visit. “At have!’ there, I’m fried and melted. Specific Antigen) reading. When tumour, they were sending me fell off his chair. “Woke up with a of infection could be fatal. the time, I didn’t think I’d see “I remember the doctor at the “And I’ve had a really great life. Kelly brought the results to home with five more!” crowd around me.” Kelly’s eldest son, Anthony, Christmas,” he reflects now. end of the bed, writing something, My kids are good, I’ve got really O’Malley, the consultant seemed would subsequently ask the And Darragh-Alan Kelly was shaking her head. I gave these two special friends, everything went equally bemused. Mater’s consultant haemotologist, duly born four weeks early. or three big blows and she gave me really well. “That must be a typo!” he Dr Michael Fay, how long his Then Christmas morning, a this thumbs-up sign. After that? I “OK, my marriage broke up, suggested. “It should read father might have lasted without huge surprise. Jim Gavin and Dr remember nothing.” but so do thousands. And I have a something like 0.8, not 6.8.” So they treatment. “Four, maybe five weeks O’Malley arrived with half a dozen Kelly’s family were warned it wonderful relationship with my ex- took more bloods, this time the at best,” was his answer. of the Dublin team and the Sam was unlikely he’d make it through wife, totally amicable. reading coming in at 10.8. “I’d have died in my sleep,” AK Maguire. Before he saw them, he the night yet, somehow, he did. “There’s no doubt I’m a walking A series of scans eventually argues now. “And, if that happened, could hear Bernard Brogan’s voice When he opened his eyes the next miracle. I had another biopsy last traced a tumour in his left hip. I’d have come back to haunt in the corridor. “Where’s the Great morning, he asked aloud if this was week and the doctor says to me, A fugitive prostate cell had, it everyone. Because I’d been so fit AK?” Heaven. ‘You’re looking great for a fella seemed, gone AWOL. Three all my life, that was the last thing He’ll never forget that. “No,” a nurse answered. “You’re a who was five minutes away from weeks of radiation followed, I wanted on my death certificate. bit of a miracle!” Masseys’!’ The point about this is, Kelly working at his clinic every ‘Died of a heart attack!’ Mr Fitness ***** ***** you must fight. If you think you can morning, driving to treatment in himself. THE worst part, the apparent end SO, three months on, he’s in overcome something, there’s always the afternoon. “I remember saying to Dr Fay game? That was still to come. remission and counting every new a chance that you will. “I used to visualise Kieran ‘Don’t put me in the ring if I’ve Over a three-month period, he day a blessing. “And remember this. Everybody McGeeney in front of me, Enda Dublin footballers Philly McMahon and Mick Fitzsimons with Alan Kelly no chance!’ Because I knew the reckons he had maybe 60 bags of Two Father’s Day cards are on dies, but not everybody lives.”