Galway treble puts O’Brien three ahead in title race

Riding in Britain on his father’s star horses may hinder O’Brien’s chances of winning the Irish jockeys’ title.

Joseph O’Brien helped himself to another three winners yesterday as the young rider continues his assault on the Irish flat jockeys’ championship.

The 19-year old scored wins on Eye Of The Storm, Cairdiuil and Chamonix to move three ahead in the jockeys’ championship.

The trio of victories would have had greater significance had his closest contender Pat Smullen not scored on Three Kingdoms and Consonance.

Smullen partnered the 13/2 shot Consonance to a one length victory in Galways before ending the card with a winner for his boss Dermot Weld as Three Kingdoms stormed to victory going off at 9-10f.

O’Brien scored for his father, Ballydoyle master Aidan, with Eye Of The Storm (3/1) and Chamonix (5/2) with both horses winning comfortably in the end by two and six lengths respectively.

The jockeys’ championship looks set to go down to the wire, with one of the deciding factors perhaps being Joseph’s commitments in Britain riding such horses as Camelot for his father Aidan.

Riding in Britain means he will miss some rides in Ireland and with O’Brien out of the picture Smullen will hope to capitalise as Dermot Weld gives him every chance to become champion jockey.

If Smullen is to become champion jockey for a seventh time he will have to overhaul the 19-year old O’Brien who sits in prime position at the top of the overall standings.

O’Brien has partnered 71 winners this season so far with his nearest challenger Smullen close behind on 68, as only a day’s racing separates the jockeys.

The next closest challenger is Wayne Lordan on 56 but it would take a minor miracle at this stage of the season if Lordan were to launch an assault on the title.

Related articles

• General Sport: Camelot to turn down York meeting with Frankel ahead of treble bid (dailyrecord.co.uk)
• Famous Name scores Solonaway win (espn.co.uk)

Gilroy resigns: Taken the Dubs as far as he could?

 

 

Gilroy guided Dublin to a first All-Ireland win since 1995 last year.

Pat Gilroy has resigned as manager of the Dublin senior football squad after four years in charge in the capital.

Speaking of his departure following a meeting of the county board, Gilroy said: “It was a huge honour for me to be selected to manage the Dublin Senior Football Team and I was delighted that I was able to make a contribution to our All-Ireland success in 2011.

“It has been a challenging four years for me balancing my role with Dublin along with family and work commitments and I have decided not to continue for a further term.

“I would like to express my appreciation to my management and backroom team who were very supportive at all times and to the players for their exceptional commitment and dedication.

“Thanks also to the County Board and the Clubs for their encouragement and assistance since October 2008. I will give my full support to the incoming management team if required and I would be pleased to assist the Dublin GAA Board if requested at some time in the future,” Gilroy added.

Gilroy steered the Dubs to a first All-Ireland in sixteen years when he presided over the victory against Kerry in last year’s final.

It proved to be his highest point as Dublin manager as this year his team were unable to produce the scintillating form that brought the success of 2012.

Dublin exited the All-Ireland senior football championship at the semi-final stage this year to Mayo and the team didn’t look like the Dublin of the year before.

Gilroy’s exit will prove to be a wake-up call in the county that thought it might merely have to turn up this year to defend Sam Maguire.

Reasons for the former Dublin player’s departure are not yet fully known but perhaps it is that Gilroy feels he has taken the team as far as he can, following the jaded performances witnessed this season.

As well as winning the ultimate prize in the inter-county game, the St.Vincent’s man also guided The Dubs to four Leinster titles and a National League title during his tenure.

Related articles

• Dublin GAA boss Gilroy admits champions have yet to hit top form despite latest win (irishcentral.com)
• Tom Carr exclusive: Don’t look back and say ‘We Blue it!’ (thesun.co.uk)
• RTE’s decision to screen Dublin v Laois is a capital decision (theirishmansport.wordpress.com)