Blues Centenary Cup
late arrival of the Baltinglass bus went unnoticed by the large crowd basking in the sunshine and enjoying the atmosphere in Rathnew’.
The high-fielding Pat Murphy gave Rathnew the edge in the first half and the sides were level at 0-4 each at the break. Tommy Murphy and Kevin O’Brien got some control around the middle after the break. Both teams were guilty of missing very good goal chances and Baltinglass were hanging on grimly at the end to win 0-9 to 0-8. Robert McHugh, Con Murphy, Matt Owens and Micheal O’Neill had 0-2 each and Pat Foley a point.
For Rathnew, Alan Newsome with 0-3 was joined by Harry Murphy, Gar Doyle, Derek Hollingsworth, Joe Ronan and Pat Murphy in the point scoring. The Rathnew captain Joe McDonald made a presentation of a centenary plaque to Tommy Murphy and both teams retired to Dowling’s Lounge for refreshments.
The way was clear now for the last four which was to see neutral venues but the three senior clubs agreed to travel to Bray if they were drawn against them. Blessington got the trip to Bray while Baltinglass and Carnew would meet in Aughrim.
Baltinglass were very impressive in a 1-14 to 0-6 win over the Carnew men who by now had one eye on the hurling championship.
Baltinglass dominated the first half and led 0-8 to 0-1 at the break. John Dooley and Tommy Murphy were getting the better of Denis Kilbride and Jim Cushe in the midfield battle and the forwards had a constant supply to work with.
Carnew fared a bit better after the break.
Mick Hall playing in the forwards for Carnew kicked 0-3 but a Peter Burke goal sealed the deal and put any thoughts of a Carnew fightback to bed.
Blessington succeeded where all other Senior teams had failed and won in Emmet Park. The Bray bubble finally burst as the reigning Senior champions won 1-11 to 2-2.
In the final Blessington were looking for revenge for their championship quarter-final defeat to Baltinglass.
Baltinglass subsequently went out to Tinahely in the semi-final and were determined to lift some silverware in centenary year.
The final was played in Aughrim in late September and resulted in a 2-7 to 1-1 win for Baltinglass. Playing at centre-forward, Kevin O’Brien got both goals and Robert McHugh kicked 0-3 as Baltinglass eased to victory.
A Pat Quinn goal was the best Blessington could offer as they never got going on the day. Baltinglass captain Tommy Murphy received the cup from Pat Phelan and Peter Keogh afterwards.
Baltinglass would add the millennium cup fifteen years later in 2000 defeating Shillelagh with O’Brien scoring 0-5 in that final, his brother Sean and Billy Kenny also playing in both finals.
Winning Baltinglass team: Dan Leigh; Pat Murphy, Billy Gorman, George Bradley (0-1); Brian Kilcoyne, Billy Kenny, Declan O’Neill; Tommy Murphy (0-1) and John Dooley; Sean O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien (2-1), Andy Owens (0-1); Con Murphy, Matt Owens, Robert McHugh (0-3). Subs: Ger Foley, Peter Burke and Brendan Dooley, Michael O’Neill, Billy Timmins and John Farrell.
Blessington: John Finnegan; Patsy Donohoe, Shay Sargent, Paddy Quinn; Pat Lennon, Pat O’Toole, Bob Boothman; Martin Sargent and Dermot Hennessey (0-1); Tommy O’Hagan, Ray O’Donnell, Kevin Hanlon; Stephen Doyle, Ciaran Shannon, Paddy Sargent. Subs: Gerry Phibbs, Jimmy Callaghan, Pat Quinn (1-0), Peter Daly, Tom Hennessy, John Magee, Kevin Hamilton, Martin Shannon and Andy Doran
Referee for the final was Ned Byrne from Stratford.
There is no one horse in particular. I rode plenty winners in a short space of time which got me noticed and I became champion conditional jockey for the 07/08 season
Who is your favourite horse?
Ablaze! We won the won the A$315,000 (€186k) Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool earlier this month (Tuesday, May 5) together with trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. It was my biggest career win since I relocated to Australia in 2012
What was it like to ride in your first race?
Exciting! Everything happened a bit quicker than expected though, so I got a bit lost. Luckily, I was on a nice horse called Ballyday Daisy and she looked after me!
How long does it take to learn race-riding tactics?
stop learning.
You never
Describe the feeling of riding your first winner?
Relief and elation. Moody Lad obliged at Downpatrick Racecourse in November 2006 for Trainer Philip Rothwell
What is your most memorable racing moment?
Winning the Grand Annual on Ablaze earlier this month! Before that, my first ride at Cheltenham racecourse being a winner, albeit the November meeting.
What is your favourite racecourse in Ireland? Punchestown
If you weren’t a jockey what would you be? A trainer.
If you could ride one horse, what would it be? In the past Istabraq. At present – I am pretty happy with Ablaze!
How do you cope with pressure?
I am pretty relaxed so I can’t say I’ve had any issues coping with pressure.
What mental preparation do you do for the big days?
No different than normal days, even a small midweek race can be somebody’s ‘Grand Annual’ so just go through the form and give every horse you ride the best chance of winning.
How do you stay motivated?
Seeing the passion Lauren and the kids have for me riding winners keeps me motivated.
How do you deal with dips in form?
Don’t over think it, be confident in your own ability and results will come.
Outside of racing, what is your favourite sporting moment?
Going to Anfield with my Dad as a kid to watch Liverpool play.
Can you give us a Netflix/ film recommendation?
Dance
The Last
What is your guilty pleasure?
A hot whiskey on a cold night!
Desert island discs – name your favourite three songs?
American Pie, Beeswing, The Creggan White Hare.
What person do you admire the most and why?
My wife Lauren for moving across the world with me to follow my ambitions and for being a great mother to ourtwoboys.
Favourite dinner? Where is your favourite place to go on holidays?
Sashimi
Back home to Ireland, home is where the heart is!
What ambitions do you still have?
To be champion jockey down here again and win another
Grand Annual when the crowds are allowed back to races!
What is the hidden gem of Wicklow?
Junior’s Bar in Rathdangan!
When you think of Wicklow what immediately springs to mind? Family
How are you occupying your time during the Covid-19 restrictions? Not much has changed for me. I am still very busy at work and racing.
If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times of Covid-19, what would it be?
Just be mindful to keep up the good work that is being done and hopefully it will be a distant memory before too long.
If you were to go back to when you were 20 years old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? Enjoy life and others around you, which I have!
I’m not one for quotes - the sayings might not be suitable for paper!!!
Favourite saying/quote?