32 IRISH DAILY STAR Saturday June 22 2019

REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE

Brian Brian Brian FLANAGAN FLANAGAN FLANAGAN REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

LOYAL ROYAL: I DON’T LOOKFormer Meath Brian Brian Brian LEINSTER SFC goalkeeper Greg FLANAGAN FLANAGAN FLANAGAN Twomey is still a REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE keen supporter of [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] the team; (left) Colm O’Rourke gets a IT WAS a prequel to the FINAL shot away from Gerry Hargan and iconic 1991 four-game John O’Leary of series that’s been lost in v Meath Dublin in 1983 time. Dublin and Meath’s epic Croke Park, Leinster Championship saga Tomorrow 4pm 28 years ago has been etched in GAA folklore with books writ- LIVE RTE Brian FLANAGAN Brian FLANAGAN ten, documentariesBrian FLANAGAN made, and REPORTS COMMENT dozens of stories told. EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] But eight [email protected] earlier in 1983 many of the same faces featured in a pulsating two- game provincial quarter-final battle which ended in Dublin winning a thrilling replay in extra-time and going on to controversially lift the Sam Maguire that September. There’s no footage on YouTube, very few photo- graphs, andBrian a surprisingly-low FLANAGAN attendance of just 25,000 were EXCLUSIVE at both games. But one man who’[email protected] never for- get that June afternoon, for the wrong reasons, is former Meath goalkeeper Greg Twomey. He’ll take his seat in Croke Park today, stare down at the Hill 16 end, and most likely shudder. Twomey should have been a ghost ‘Thank from Meath’s past — a central figure in a footballing horror God there story that haunted Sean Boylan’s first season in charge of was no the Royal County footballers. His two errors in social the second-half of the drawn game con- tributed to Dublin media or surviving to snatch a lucky draw — an untold opening chap- forums ter in the story of their iconic ‘12 Apostles’ All-Ireland back than win. Club either’ But he dusted him- self down. Took it on the chin, and devoted 23-year-old Mick Kennedy his life to Meath GAA, Twomey mis- wouldn’t have playing on with his DIFFICULT START: Debut- judged the Twomey has learned to live withbeen far away in club, serving as an season Meath boss Sean flight and St Margarets. I officer with club and Boylan (right) after the 1983 allowed the ball the whole day. know Barney too and we see each County Board and Leinster quarter-final replay to drop behind He got away other regularly but we’ve never even becoming the him and into costly errors in ’83 with it! discussed it to be honest. the net. “Things were so different back very first chairperson “People were of the Donaghmore/ With just 11 very decent then to how they are now. Back then Ashbourne Ladies minutes Not that I remember anyway. afterwards saying it was ‘hard you trained twice a week and you section. good years since. I know Meath are remaining, Twomey was again “The second goal was very unfor- luck’. I knew a lot of the Dublin might have had a game or a chal- “You just had to get on with going through a lean spell now but involved when his attempted clear- tunate. It hit off Phil Smith’s chest team well at the time. I went to lenge match at the weekend. That it. You can make any amount of I’ve a season ticket and have been ance was blocked down at the right and went in. school in Beneavin College in was it. Now it’s five or six nights a mistakes out the field and get to all the league games this year corner flag by Dublin corner-for- “We knew we’d missed a big and would have played a lot week for the inter-county players. away with them but unfortu- bar one and their three ward . chance when we went into the of football with lads from St County players back then couldn’t nately in goals you don’t. Championships games.” Slagging dressing room afterwards. The ele- Margarets, and Erins have committed to that.” Thank God there was no social The first of Twomey’s two night- ment of surprise was gone. That Isle,” added Twomey (59), who has a Debut media or forums back then mare moments came five minutes He sent in a low searching cross was a big part of it. We felt we’d lost strong Meath accent despite being either,” says Twomey, who’s into the second half. and to the horror of Meath support- a big chance to beat them,” says born and raised a five iron from the ‘Hurling man’ Sean Boylan had Donaghmore/Ashbourne club Meath were hanging on grimly to ers, corner-back Phil Smith, in Twomey, who was dropped for the Dublin border. been handed the job as Meath train- is also the home of Andrew a 0-5 to 0-4 advantage when attempting to field the ball, only replay and never played for Meath “People do still mention what hap- er the previous September and as he Colgan, who’ll mind the net for Dublin’s sent in a succeeded in helping it to the net. again. pened in 1983, particularly the prepared to face Dublin in a Meath in tomorrow’s Leinster speculative shot towards the Hill “Barney Rock went for a point “A few things didn’t go right, and Dublin lads,” he jokes. Leinster SFC quarter-final he was Final clash with Dublin. 16 goal from about 40 yards out. and I just misjudged it I’d say. I some other things went against us “I would have played schools foot- presented with a goalkeeping “It doesn’t haunt me. You get There appeared to be no immi- didn’t really hear any slagging too. I think Gerry Hargan had a ball with John Kearns, who started conundrum. over that. We’ve had so many nent danger for Meath, but the coming from the Hill to be honest. hold of Colm O’Rourke’s jersey for midfield for Dublin that day, and Regular number one Jimmy Fay, IRISH DAILY STAR Saturday June 22 2019 49

BACKJUNE 12, 1983 INJULY 3, 1983 ANGER DUBLIN 2-8 MEATH 2-8 DUBLIN 3-9 MEATH 0-16 (AET) COLGAN IMPROVING LEINSTER SFC Q-FINAL LEINSTER SFC Q-FINAL REPLAY THE first game saw Kevin Heffernan’s ANOTHER goalkeeping error and a missed WITH EVERY GAME Dublin snatch a draw from the jaws of penalty came back to haunt Meath in a defeat. thrilling replay. ANDREW COLGAN will be the Twomey’s two errors helped Dublin steal Sean Briody allowed a Brian Jordan first goalkeeper from the n Brian FLANAGAN two goals in a game Meath dominated but 30-yard shot slip under him after just five Donaghmore/Ashbourne club they also suffered bad luck up the other minutes in a game that finished 0-14 to 2-8 since Greg Twomey to face “It was the GAA club that Dublin in the Leinster SFC. introduced him to goalkeep- end with Colm O’Rourke hitting the after 70 minutes. Dublin led by eight points ing and realised his potential crossbar. at one stage but Meath fought back and Colgan has also faced a battle to impress supporters. and he went on from there. Second-half goals from Ben Tansey and scored ten points to Dublin’s two in the He took a while to make an closing 20 minutes - Mick Downes also His error against Donegal in O’Roukre put Meath in control of a game their February Allianz League impact. He travelled to where Joe Cassells policed the returning missing a penalty - with a late JJ Australia and took a year out McCormack point forcing extra-time. Division 2 clash in Ballybofey Anton O’Toole well. cost Meath a famous victory but when he came back he But Dublin kept within arm’s reach and a Rock got the crucial score in extra-time while he was less than steady was hardly off the plane last-minute free from Kieran Duff took the when punching a goal. in their narrow win over before Andy McEntee game to a replay. Offaly in the opening round brought him straight to DUBLIN: J O’Leary, M Holden, G Hargan, R Hazley, P of the Leinster SFC. Navan for training. DUBLIN: J O’Leary, M Kennedy, G Hargan, R Canavan (0-1), T Drumm. PJ Buckley, B Mullins, J Kearns (0-1), B Rock (2-3), W Hughes, B Jordan (1-0), But a solid performance Talent Hazely, T Drumm, P McGrath, PJ Buckley, J against Carlow was backed Kearns (0-3), B Mullins, B Rock (1-1), A O’Toole A McCaul, A O’Toole (0-1), K Duff (0-3). Subs. J “McEntee was on his case (0-2), K Duff (0-2), T Conroy, J McNally, A McCaul. Roynane (for Mullins), T Conroy (for Hughes), B up with a brilliant save and straight away when he heard Subs. B Jordan (for McCaul), G O’Neill (for Conroy). Mullins (for Kearns), C Redmond (for McCaul), G kicking display in the 11-point he was home. Andy would MEATH: G Twomey, P Smith, M Lyons, P Lyons, P O’Neill (for Jordan). semi-final win over Laois. MEATH: S Briody, P Smith, M Lyons, P Lyons, N have known of him and rec- Finnerty, J Cassells, C Coyle, L Hayes, G McEntee, “Andrew has made one or ognised his ability through E Barry, N O’Sullivan, M Downes, F Murtagh, C O’Sullivan, J Cassells. C Coyle, L Hayes, G McEntee, E two mistakes. His one in O’Rourke, F O’Sullivan. Subs. B Tansey (for Barry (0-1), B Tansey, M Downes (0-1), F Murtagh our own club when he was (0-7), C O’Rourke (0-4), F O’Sullivan (0-1). Subs. JJ Donegal being the worst and manager here. He would have Finnerty), JJ Mc Cormack (for Downes) he’d a couple of bad kickouts Referee: J Gunning (Offaly). Att: 25,069. McCormack (0-1) for Barry, L Smith (0-1) for Tansey, spotted his talent back then. D Mooney for Hughes, E Barry for Downes. in a row against Offaly in the “He’s a very accurate kick- Referee: J Gunning (Offaly). Att: 24,383. first round,” says Twomey. out but he’ll need to be as “Goalkeeping is not easy Dublin are so good from kick- now. Stephen Cluxton outs, whether he goes long changed everything. The or short. They’re so fast position of goalkeeper now is thinking and so good at win- nearly the most important ning breaking ball around player on the pitch. It’s as midfield too.” important as a good scoring Colgan is one of four forward. You can set-up Ashbourne men on the panel, attacks so quickly now from with captain Bryan Menton that position. and substitutes Fast Thomas “I’ve been very impressed McGovern with Andrew over the past and Sean few years. He’s a good shot Curran stopper, he’s a very good also kicker and has very fast from the reactions. Dublin “He came from a soccer border background. His father Paul side. is manager of Ashbourne United and would be a soc- LUCKY ESCAPE: The Dublin cer man. I don’t think team leave the pitch after their Andrew played that drawn 1983 Leinster quarter-final much as a goalkeeper against the Royals and (left) the playing soccer, he Meath Chronicle match report was more of a cen- tre-half I think.

Mick Kennedy dad of legendary full-back Darren, Incredibly, just 25,000 were at “I wasn’t around for the Centenary saw that was the way wouldn’t have wasn’t available so Twomey was both matches at a time when only Cup win the following year but to do things better.” Twomey has learned to live withbeen far away in handed his Championship debut All-Ireland semi-finals and finals what happened after 1983 was the Meath’s 1986 St Margarets. I having been part of the panel since were shown on live TV. right thing,” adds Twomey. Leinster Final win know Barney too and we see each the ‘82/83 National League cam- “There was a small crowd all “At that time Sean Boylan had over Dublin bridged a other regularly but we’ve never paign and impressing in the right. Offaly were All-Ireland seven selectors. I remember one 22-year gap back to discussed it to be honest. O’Byrne Cup. champions and the kings of Leinster league match up in Tyrone and 1964 for a win in a “Things were so different back “I joined the panel in 1982 as a at that time. Dublin would have there were seven selectors on the decider over the then to how they are now. Back then sub-goalkeeper. We won the been second in command but the line, and they all had a say. They boys in blue. you trained twice a week and you O’Byrne Cup and we’d a good run in likes of Meath and Kildare wouldn’t had decided they were going to take It’s now 18 might have had a game or a chal- the League, losing in the semi-final have been rated really,” says off Eamonn Barry, but they couldn’t years since lenge match at the weekend. That to a very good Armagh team that Twomey. make up their mind who they were they last was it. Now it’s five or six nights a had Joe Kernan still playing.” “At that stage, Mick Lyons and going to put on. beat week for the inter-county players. Eight of the Meath team that Colm O’Rourke weren’t household Dublin in County players back then couldn’t started would go on to win the All- names,” laughs Twomey. Power a Lein- have committed to that.” Ireland four years later in 1987 but “Joe Cassells would have been my “The discussion literally went on ster the 3-9 to 0-16 extra-time defeat in hero then. He had put some serious for about ten minutes and what Final. Debut the replay continued a long losing service into Meath at that stage. He happened in the meantime, Eamon Iron- ‘Hurling man’ Sean Boylan had run to Dublin in Leinster. was the daddy of that team and had Barry scored a goal. He now had to ically for been handed the job as Meath train- The replay also witnessed a goal- a long time playing with Meath.” stay on and as per usual the corner- Twomey, SAFE HANDS: er the previous September and as he keeping howler. Twomey’s The following year Boylan and forward lost out and was taken off. two goal- Donaghmore/ prepared to face Dublin in a replacement Sean Briody allowed a Meath won the Centenary Cup but “In the next few years Meath keeping Ashbourne’s Leinster SFC quarter-final he was 30-yard shot from Brian Jordan slip they suffered a narrow Leinster learned from Dublin and Kevin mistakes and Andrew Colgan will presented with a goalkeeping between his hands and a Brian Final defeat to Dublin before crash- Heffernan and gave Sean Boylan forcing a replay would be a mind the net for conundrum. Mullins and Anton O’Toole inspired ing out to Laois in a heavy more power. Brian Smyth, the mighty result for the Royals Meath against Dublin Regular number one Jimmy Fay, Dublin pipped Meath at the post. Tullamore defeat in 1985. county board chairman at the time, tomorrow. 1800 44 00 00 · SHOPS UNTIL 9.30PM DOWNLOAD NOW

18+. Have fun - Bet responsibly - Dunlewey Addiction Services - 1800 93 67 25 THE ONE AND GREAT MEMORIES: Tom Foley is still training at 72 despite suffering from prostate cancer — “I’m still going” is his cheery outlook on life

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18+. Have fun - Bet responsibly - Dunlewey Addiction Services - 1800 93 67 25 THE ONE AND DANOLI BRIAN FLANAGAN and Tom Foley remember Danoli, the People’s Champion, 25 years on from his legendary Cheltenham victory

OM FOLEY is on a horse until he was 35. “I played football from walking with a the time I was Under-14 limp; his knees and I won a good few HERO’S WELCOME: Danoli have been giving senior championships with is led back in after his 1994 T Bagenalstown and Naomh win at the Festival him trouble. Old war wounds, not from the Eoin and that was the way gallops or the racecourse, but it was. “I played minor with Carlow from the battlefields of Carlow “I went up with the intentions of he’d travel on football in the 1960’s and 1970’s. once. Unfortunately I was never called up afterwards even though backing him. I was after getting a the plane. Foley was good enough to play few pound and I said ‘I’m going to “I was so worried about the minor for the county and is I scored two points from half-back. It all depended on who back this fella’ but I didn’t,” says horse I never thought of myself. thrilled to see the current era’s Foley. But the minute I stepped off the footballers and hurlers making was running it at that time,” he smiled. “Young Goretti my daughter. plane I got sick. There wasn’t a giant strides under Turlough She’d have been just six or seven bother on Danoli.” O’Brien and Colm Bonnar. It was that likeability that endeared Foley and Danoli to the at the time. She had a pound on The previous day was dubbed But Foley’s exploits a quarter of him. Her sweet money. She was Black Tuesday by the Irish media a century ago was the original Irish public. A bit like Presenting Percy and the only one that backed him. We after Irish hope after Irish hope Carlow rising. all got cold feet and chickened failed to deliver the goods. 25 years ago this week he left Pat Kelly in this week’s Gold Cup, Foley’s journey to glory at out.” The Irish suffered six losing Ireland for the first time in his life Two more bumper and hurdle races, including the well fancied to capture the 1994 Sun Alliance Cheltenham and later at Aintree and Leopardstown was the sort wins followed before Foley took Sound Man, Fortune And Fame Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham the unusual step to run him as a and the heavily punted Gimme with Danoli - the undisputed of rags to riches tale that the Irish sporting public couldn’t get in the Irish Champion Five and Foley admits that was People’s champion. Hurdle. the first time he felt pressure. He was the Irish banker, and enough of. The story of Danoli and Foley He finished a brave runner-up to “We didn’t realise what pressure after the green team drew a blank Fortune And Fame and the really was at that time. I’ll tell you on an opening day dubbed ‘Black began at Goffs sales ring in 1991. He had been bred by another following month’s Grade One when I felt the first bit of pressure Tuesday’, his two length success Deloitte Novices’ Hurdle was a with the horse. We were in under Charlie Swan over small trainer, Willie Austin in Tipperary, and when Foley set off mere formality, Danoli winning by Cheltenham on the Tuesday night Corrouge sparked wild scenes of 10 lengths at odds on. and Ireland were after finishing celebrations in the famed up to Kill that afternoon he was looking to purchase a filly for Dan The dream was very much alive the day with no winners. Cotswolds winners’ enclosure. and the Irish had their beloved “The English boys were kind of It was a few months before O’Neill’s pony-loving daughter until fate intervened. banker. crowing a little bit and saying Ireland’s second ever World Cup ‘there’s Ireland gone through the Finals in the USA and the country O’Neill was a neighbouring ANOLI arrived in farmer and bone-setter from first day without a winner, but was still very much in the grip of Cheltenham by they always have Danoli tomor- Jack’s Army fever. Myshall and famously named the aeroplane, unusual horse after himself and his D row’. Carlow novelty singer Richie daughter Olivia. now but common in those “I felt it then. This was a race Kavanagh even wrote a song between Ireland and England now. about Danoli. “I went looking for a special days. kind of a horse. And I saw him. He Foley had never been out of It wasn’t just a horse race. I just “Danoli, Danoli. You’re the pride thought that was pressure. I of Neill an’ Foley. had everything. You know when Ireland and was terrified of flying. you’ve found what you want, “It was my first time ever to go didn’t sleep that night. “You’re the favourite on the Foley need not have worried. racecourse. All the punters love whether it’s an old car or out of the country. We flew the whatever. I was on the lookout,” horse over, it was more afford- On the morning of the race, Danoli.” Foley prayed with him and read Foley was not made for fame. recalls Foley. able at that time. Now it’s “We bought him for 6,800 completely different,” he recalls. him extracts from Racing Post He was though, the ordinary having turned down hotels and man’s hero. punts. It’s hard to believe you’d “I didn’t like flying but I was get a horse that good for that more worried about the horse guest houses to stay in the stable He’s a farmer’s son and a small lads’ hostel. trainer of modest means from sort of price. That was the way it than I was about myself. was.” “I was worried because I was The media speculated that Aughabeg in rural Carlow, five Danoli was only in the 2m5f Sun miles from Bagenalstown and in Danoli’s racing career began in going to Leopardstown one time a Naas bumper on Halloween in with him and the car gave me Alliance so Charlie Swan could the shadow of the Blackstairs ride him as he was retained for Mountains. 1992. He was sent-off an trouble. I had to change at unfancied 16/1 shot under Harringtons’ and put him into the the opening day’s Supreme over a “It would be nice to think I put shorter 2m distance. Carlow on the map,” grins the amateur rider Padraig English in lorry. He travelled terrible badly a race where Ballydoyle genius and that was the first day he got “We never thought of any other now 72-year-old Foley, who was race. We knew he’d stay going relatively new to training when he Aidan O’Brien rode a horse to beat. finish second last. “It worried me then what way bought Danoli, having never sat CONTINUES

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18+. Have fun - Bet responsibly - Dunlewey Addiction Services - 1800 93 67 25 ‘Even if we were offered a million, the answer was ‘no’

CONTINUED over 2m5f. What had been worrying us most that time was the ground. When they give the ground good or good-to-yielding over there it’s like June ground here.” The result was a bloodbath for the bookmakers and saw the Irish recoup their first day losses with interest. A reported £300,000 was taken out of the ring and Charlie Swan went on to enjoy a day of days, completing a treble a 148/1 treble with further wins on the JP McManus-owned Time For A Run (Coral Cup) and Mucklemeg in the closing Bumper. Indeed Danoli could well have been running in the green and gold silks of McManus as the Limerick millionaire attempted to purchase him on the eve of Cheltenham. Foley takes up the story. “I’ll tell you the truth I’d well believe we could have got a million for him if he wanted. When we were going to Naas for his debut I said to Dan O’Neill: ‘If this fella wins today is he for sale or not?’ “Danny wouldn’t give me a straight answer so we went to Naas and he won and the first thing he done was he walked into the parade ring and he was as white as a sheet and said ‘he’s not for sale’. “John Harrington (the late husband of Jessica) walked up to AIR HORSE ONE: me right after the race and said to Tom Foley flying to me: ‘What do you want for him?’ I Cheltenham in 1995; just said ‘he’s not for sale.’ (below) the late “From there on there was people Queen Mother looking to buy him but Frank Berry (JP McManus’ racing manager) came to us before he was going to Cheltenham and he told us there’s an open cheque if you want to sell and the racing in it — it’s Danoli won 17 races, including “Unfortunately, a lot trainers him. something they want to go back that Sun Alliance Hurdle, the are dropping out. And also a lot “I said definitely not, Danny said to,” say Foley. Martell Hurdle twice and of the owners that would have he’s not for sale but you can go to “Edward Gillespie (Cheltenham famously the 1997 Hennessy suited the likes of us. him yourself and talk to him. “He chief at the time) was very good Gold Cup at Leopardstown. “You go to the sales and one said: ‘No, I’m happy enough to to me. The place was thronged Foley is still going strong time if you had €10,000 or hear that.’ afterwards but he just caught me despite an ongoing battle with €15,000 you’d go up and you “But the next day he rang again by the arm and said ‘come on, I’ll prostate cancer and enjoyed his would buy a horse. Now you and said: ‘Do you mind if we go to get you out of here.’ a winner at Down Royal last would have no chance whatso- Danny? JP won’t take no for an “I remember a fella said to me month; although he admits times ever. answer.’ But the answer was still the Queen Mother wants to talk are tough for small operations. “Racing was different that no.” to you. I was brought up along a “The auld knees are giving me time. It was enjoyable then. It’s HE Irish celebrations stairway to the box she was in. the most trouble now from not now. There was security everywhere. everything. “If you go down into the stable were legendary. “They brought me into the “I’m still going. I’ve had yard 25 years ago you knew There’s a picture of room and she was there, we treatment and I will have to go everyone that was in it, owners TDanoli being led into the winners’ chatted away. I don’t know what I on the Radium later on. They and trainers but now it’s gone enclosure that’s like a who’s who was saying to be honest. On the said they’ll be able to keep it like the soccer. There’s big of Ireland in the 1990s and even way back down yer man said to under control and If I get another organisations dominating it.” includes former taoisigh Charlie me ‘you know you’re not few years I’ll be happy. Foley has one regret, that Haughey and Brian Cowen. supposed to talk back to the “It’s quiet enough but I’m a race was never named in “The problem with Cheltenham Queen Mother. I laughed and keeping going. It’s hard enough Danoli’s honour. is that once you go there and said, ‘sure I’d chat away to to compete against the big lads. “I often wondered why experience the atmosphere, anyone’. I don’t mind. “There’s not enough of races there was never a race especially the atmosphere of “She was a very nice lady. If it on for the average horses. You named after him. If I’d winning, you want to go back all had have been the Queen I really want to see more of the money myself I’d the time. Even people who never mightn’t have bothered at all,” 80-95 type races. It’s very hard sponsor a race. I’m had a horse, once they’ve laughs Foley. to get into them races now. surprised with experienced it — the atmosphere

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UP THE HILL TO GLORY: Danoli jumps the last to win the 1994 Sun Alliance Hurdle at Cheltenham

GREAT DAY: Foley with jockey Tom Treacy after the 1997 STILL TRAINING Hennessy win WINNERS: Tom Foley at Punchestown recently

Gowran Park. He won there in Aintree in 1995 for success in the couldn’t stand up, my legs were stable and cry with the pain with 1996 on Red Mills day and there where he suffered like jelly. We were so worried we the leg,” said Foley. wasn’t standing room in the place. a very bad leg injury. wouldn’t even school him at “That’s way we had to stop. It I thought they would name a race “If the injury happened in Ireland home. We were going up along to wasn’t that the horse wasn’t after him. Fairyhouse have the there’s a good chance he’d have the parade ring and I said to Tom enjoying things, there’s no way Bobbyjo Chase and Punchestown been put down,” says Foley. Treacy to make sure he gets a you could put him through any the . And there’s a few “The boys in Liverpool were look at a hurdle. more the way he was going. others,” he said. unbelievable. We got a police “If I’d have known he was going “He was up in the National Stud “He was an unbelievable horse. escort the whole way out along. to run so well he would have won. and somebody rang up looking for It was a pity he got injured. If he Everything was stopped, you The orders were Tom wasn’t to hit us to bring him to a Festival in hadn’t have got hurt in Aintree I’d couldn’t believe the way it was. him. If he had of I’d have pulled Bagenalstown. I collected him to have no doubt he’d have won a “When I saw the x-ray I couldn’t him off the horse and never have keep him overnight and brought Gold Cup or two. believe it. I shut my eyes. The let him ride him again. I told him him back to our place and the “He won a Hennessy on three surgeon, Chris Riggs operated on this horse is out to enjoy himself, next morning he thought he was legs. It was a good Hennessy too. him said that he’d only done it to he’s after going through an awful back working. He kicked the door I think there was two Gold Cup save his life and later on, he flew lot, let him enjoy himself.” out. winners in the race. and over to see him because he “He ran an unbelievable race to “He went back up to the National . couldn’t believe all he had won be third. He jumped like a stag Stud and never ate anything for ANOLI’S Hennessy after. that day.” three days. He was disappointed “He took over the horse at the Danoli’s last race was at he wasn’t back working. win was one of hospital. No-one was allowed to Punchestown in 2000, falling at in “He loved the crowd. He played Dracing’s great go near him. There was a wall the Gold Cup won by Commanche up to the crowd. He was a comeback stories. where he was and it was covered Court. He was retired to the showman. He knew when he went After Cheltenham in 1994 he completely with Get Well cards. National Stud and died of colic in racing that the people were there went on to win at Liverpool “Everyone took to him, even in 2006 at the age of 16. to see him.” and finished third in the England. I will never forget his “If you seen that horse, he’d go “Danoli, Danoli. You’re the pride following year’s first race back in the Irish out there in the morning and he’d of Neill an’ Foley. Champion Hurdle at Leopards- be kicking to get out. He’d come Your style an’ speed unequal. before going back to town the following January. I back in and he’d lie down in the You’re our hero sweet Danoli.”

CHELTENHAM2019 13 32 IRISH DAILY STAR Saturday October 27 2018

IT’S a bitingly cold day at at a midweek meeting where the one man left his dog at home. Jockeys and trainers outnum- ber paying customers as the few bookies in the ring battle for business with the odds very much against a profit. October is in the home straight and soon the jumping boys will take over the Meath track for another winter of You would National Hunt action. Today’s the closing afternoon of the track’s flat season and among all-conquering opera- tions of Aidan and Joseph O’Brien, another father and son team up for two runners. Tom and Rory Cleary are still going strong. A diminutive pair of likeable Athlone men, they have had the sort of unthinkable tragedy visit them that is everyone’s worst nightmare. Fifteen years ago this Bank Holiday weekend, apprentice gladly REPORTS COMMENT rider Seán Cleary suffered EXCLUSIVE severe head injuries from a fall in a flat race at Galway. Six days later the 22-year-old died in Beaumont Hospital. Bombshell He’s the last jockey to be Brian Brian killed in action on an Irish Brian racecourse. FLANAGAN FLANAGAN He was Tom’s second eldest FLANAGAN REPORTS COMMENT son and was Rory’s older EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] brother. A bombshell moment [email protected] for the Cleary family and for Irish racing. Seán was riding the two- take a life year-old All Heart for the legendary trainer Paddy Mullins in the opening Auction Race when his mount clipped the heels of another runner and fell about half a Brian Brian mile from the finish. Brian He was first taken to Galway FLANAGAN FLANAGANUniversity Hospital, but was FLANAGAN REPORTS COMMENTtransferred by helicopter to the EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] department of [email protected] the intensive care unit at the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. He was in a coma and on a life support machine, but on the sixth day his condition deterio- sentence rated and he lost his brave battle for life. The story had two further tragic twists as Cleary’s girl- friend Maggie Farrell gave Brian FLANAGAN Brian FLANAGANbirth to a baby boy just two Brian FLANAGAN REPORTS daysCOMMENT before his death while EXCLUSIVE Seán’s close pal Timmy [email protected] [email protected] tragically took his [email protected] own life a few weeks later, FAMILY REMEMBER TRAGIC DEATH OF blaming himself for the acci- dent that killed his friend. “Every day you don’t forget. My wife Kathleen and myself JOCKEY SEAN CLEARY 15 YEARS ON were there and we were actu- instead of it ally with a group of friends at the races,” recalls Tom. and is now one of the more senior “We kept ourselves busy, that Galway venue a year later on the “It was the first race and we members of the jockey’s circuit, was my way of dealing with it. horse that had amazingly won just spotted the loose horse riding for Jim Bolger and Damien There was no point in sitting at the race in which Seán had suf- going in and there was no sign Brian FLANAGAN English on a regular basis. home doing nothing. We had to fered his accident. of the ambulance going back EXCLUSIVE Questioning whether to carry keep going.” “The year afterwards I won the after a few minutes. on following Sean’s accident was In an incredible twist of fate McDonagh Handicap on Palace “We started to worry at that [email protected] not something he considered and Rory enjoyed the then biggest Star back at Galway. It was a stage. It’s something you never had ridden 14 winners. He’d the November Handicap at continuing to ride was how he success of his career at the same good kick to win on that horse forget. By the time I had got reduced his claim to 5lbs and was Leopardstown on Bubble N coped with his brother’s and obviously to win in Galway down to where it happened the tipped by many as a future star. Squeak.” tragic passing. too where the accident ambulance had moved him “He was just like Rory, fit for Rory was just 16 when the acci- “I think Rory rode his sec- GREAT DAY: Sean Cleary happened. straight to Galway University anything. He was a good charac- dent happened and was away on ond winner the day before with Hector Ó hEochagáin “It was live on TV and it Hospital. ter, got on well with everybody the Sunday, not finding out until Sean passed away at after riding his horse was a great feeling. There “He was riding for Paddy and would never dream of doing much later in an era before Gowran Park,” remarks a Traverse to win at Ballinrobe were a few tears too.” Mullins at the time so Tom anyone a bad turn,” adds Tom. Facebook and Twitter. proud dad Tom. Huge Mullins, his son, brought me in “I was in Italy the day it hap- Rory contunues: “I was there straight away. Loyal pened. I was riding in an only 16 at the time and Seán’s funeral saw a huge “He was helicoptered to “He was loyal to the people who international challenge over horses were second nature crowd pay their respects in Dublin but it looked initially he rode for and he stayed with there,” Rory recalls. to us. Athlone. that things were going to be them as much as he could. If “I only found out about Seán’s “We were riding horses Rory and his other brothers positive after a few days. The someone put him up on a horse he accident when Michael Halford before we could walk. I Paul and Thomas carried his first few days had been more always did his best to stay loyal met me at the airport. I thought I carried on, things don’t riding helmet, boots and whip worrying but then the news got to them. was after doing something wrong stop. I had to keep going. It to the altar, while his girl- a little better. “He used to get some nice hors- in the race when I saw the boss was the line of business we friend Maggie carried a “Then all of a sudden he went es, he had no problems with his there to pick me up. were in. I actually went in picture of his baby son Seán. downhill and he caught the weight so he was able to ride the “He brought me to the hospital and rode out the next The mourners included jock- infection inside in the hospital lightweights and was doing well and that’s when I knew about it morning in Michael eys Pat Smullen, Kevin so that was pretty much it.” in some of the good handicaps. first.” Halford’s and went racing Manning, Declan McDonogh, Seán Cleary was just 22 and His best day was when he won Cleary has forged a good career the next day as well. Pat Shanahan and Niall IRISH DAILY STAR Saturday October 27 2018 49

FAMILY BUSINESS: Jockey Rory Cleary with mum Kathleen and dad Tom and (right) Tom and Kathleen Cleary with baby Sean Thomas and Mum Maggie Farrell back in 2003. SPORT ON TV

TODAY FOOTBALL: Leicester v West Ham (BT Sport 1, 5pm); Middlesbrough v Derby (Sky Sports Football, noon); Leeds v Nottingham Forest (Sky Sports Football, 5.15pm); Hoffenheim v Stuttgart (BT Sport 2, 5.15pm) RUGBY UNION: Australia v New GOLDEN MOMENTS: Zealand (Sky Sports Action, Trainer Tom Cleary 6.30am); Benetton v Leinster and Munster v Glasgow (eir Sport 1, with grandson Sean 2.30pm) and son Rory after F1: Mexican Grand Prix qualifying win in 2014 (Sky Sports F1, 4pm) GOLF: Sanderson Farms C’ship (Sky Sports Golf, 7.30pm) CRICKET: Sri Lanka v England (Sky Sports Cricket, 2pm) TOMORROW GAA: Bennettsbridge v Ballyhale Shamrocks (TG4, 2.30pm) FOOTBALL: Crystal Palace v Arsenal and Manchester United v Everton (Sky Sports Premier League, 12.30pm); Hearts v Celtic and Aberdeen v Rangers (BT Sport 1, 12.45pm); Nurnberg v Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig v Schalke and Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (BT Sport 3, 12.30pm); Marseille v PSG (BT Sport 1. 7.45pm) GOLF: WGC-HSBC Champions (Sky Sports Golf, 3am); Sanderson Farms Championship (Sky Sports Golf, 6.30pm) SNOOKER: International Championship (Eurosport 2, 6.45am/11.25am) TENNIS: WTA final from Singapore (BT Sport 2, 11am); ATP final from Vienna (Sky Sports Mix, 1pm); ATP final from Basel (SkySports Arena, 2pm) F1: Mexican Grand Prix (SkySports F1, 6.10pm/Main Event, 6.30pm/eir Sport 1, 7.05pm) DARTS: European Championship (eir Sport 1, 12.45pm/10.30pm) NFL: Eagles @ Jaguars at Wembley (BBC 2/Sky Sports Action, 1pm); Saints @ Vikings (Sky Sports Main Event/Action, midnight) MONDAY GAA: Kilmacud Crokes v St Judes (TG4, 4.30pm) FOOTBALL: Soccer Republic (RTE 2, 7pm); Spurs v Manchester City (Sky Sports SADNESS: The remains of Main Event/Premier League, 7pm) FAMILY REMEMBER TRAGIC DEATH OF TENNIS: ATP Rolex Paris Masters the late Sean Cleary being (Sky Sports Main Event/Arena, 10am) carried from Coosan church NFL: Patriots @ Bills (Sky Sports in Athlone and (below) the Main Event/Action, midnight) JOCKEY SEAN CLEARY 15 YEARS ON tragic Timmy Houlihan TUESDAY FOOTBALL: Burton v Nottingham Forest (Sky Sports Main Event/Football, 7.30pm) McCullagh, while the trainers friendly, they used to drive to the on October 28. He was born just “You never do forget. It’s always Seán’s memory. It’s nice that he is TENNIS: ATP Rolex Paris included Michael Grassick and races together. The two of them a few days before Seán died and on the mind. I think of him every remembered and it gives that lit- Masters (Sky Sports Main Event/ Paddy Mullins. worked together in Pat Flynn’s a few days after his accident,” day I go racing. Even at a normal tle bit of a lift that they do that Arena, 10am) “The racing community really for a good while and it’s just very says Tom. little meeting like today. Even for him. Roscommon is our local WEDNESDAY rallied behind us at the time. sad because Timmy was a nice “He has a love for horses and without the racing I’d think of track and Michael Finneran and FOOTBALL:Chelsea v Derby There was great support. The fella and came from a lovely fam- he’s a very good rider. He does a him too.” the lads there were very good (Sky Sports Main Event/Football, amount of people that rang and ily as well,” adds Rory. lot of hunting and showjumping Seán Cleary had played a star- when they rang and asked could 7.30pm); Dundee v Celtic (BT called to the hospital while we Tom takes it up: “Timmy really but I don’t think he’ll go down ring role in Hector Ó hEochagáin’s they put on one. Sport 2, 7.45pm); Hearts v Hibs were in there. It was took it bad. What happened was a the road of race riding. popular RTÉ racing documenta- “It was special to be asked by (BT Sport 1, 7pm) ry ‘Only Fools Buy Horses’ TENNIS: ATP Rolex Paris unbelievable.” horse interfered with Timmy’s in your local track. They just Masters (Sky Sports Main Event/ The timing of Seán’s death was the race that in turn interfered Hard and rode Hector’s horse Traverse couldn’t do enough for you on the “To be honest I don’t know how Arena, 10am) brutal. Two months earlier, with Seán’s. to its only win day.” THURSDAY Kieran Kelly died following a “Some people may have been I coped, or how any of us coped. at Ballinrobe the previous GOLF: Turkish Open (SS Main horrific fall at Kilbeggan; and pointing the finger at Timmy but It was very, very hard. But it August. Serious Event/Golf, 9am); Shriners just a week after Seán’s death his Timmy did everything he could was as hard for every- “I still have the silks he Life goes on for the Clearys, Hospitals for Children Open (SS friend, Kerry-born Houlihan, do to avoid it and unfortunately body as it was for me. won in Ballinrobe on and on Tuesday, Rory narrowly Golf, 8.30pm/Main Event. 9.30pm) took his own life. he took it to heart. It’s just hard to take. Traverse. Hector left the avoided serious injury when a TENNIS: ATP Rolex Paris Timmy, whose tragic story has “He was a really nice lad and “You’d gladly take colours in our place at horse unseated him leaving the Masters (Sky Sports Arena, been somewhat forgotten, had really none of the fault was his. a life sentence the time and we still stalls at Gowran Park. 10am/Main Event, 2pm) He done absolutely nothing instead of it. This is “That’s racing, that’s horses for FRIDAY been on the horse in front of All have them.” FOOTBALL: Aston Villa v Bolton Heart when Seán suffered his wrong during the race and it’s something that Seán’s memory lives ya. Nearly every day you could never goes away. end up getting some sort of a fall. (Sky Sports Main Event/Football, fall. sad. It was a racing accident and on and there are two 7pm); PSG v Lille (BT Sport 2, “It was a hard time for racing. it could happen to anybody going There are times, races named after him If you keep looking at the worst 7.30pm); Stuttgart v Eintracht We’d have known Kieran Kelly out there. Things can go wrong. and I’m sure this at both Galway and things that could happen you Frankfurt (BT Sport 3, 7.30pm) too and Seán would have known “Afterwards someone will happens Rory as Roscommon. wouldn’t be riding horses at all,” GOLF: Turkish Open (SS Main Kieran well. It was a dark time. always point the finger at some well, you’d be talking “We really appreciate says Rory. Event/Golf, 9am); Shriners That was on August 23, a couple individual but nobody goes out to one of the other Galway and Tough men in a tough sport. Hospitals for Children Open (SS of months before hand,” says Tom. there to do anyone any harm. boys and you’d just Roscommon for Perhaps big brother Seán was Golf, 8.30pm/Main Event. 10.15pm) “Timmy and Seán were very “Seán junior turns 15 tomorrow call him Seán. running a race in looking down on him. TENNIS: ATP Rolex Paris Masters (Sky Sports Arena, 1pm/ Main Event, 2pm/Arena, 6.30pm).