CONGRATULATIONS to South Tipperary Harriers huntsman Michael Doyle, who proposed to his girlfriend and hunting sidekick Bridgette Croke on Christmas Eve.

The pair, from Tipperary and Kilkenny respectively, share a love of both hunting and hurling which will no doubt provide them with plenty of debate and discussion throughout the winter and summer.

The Kilkenny lady has been visiting Tipperary for several seasons from her native Inistiogue, leaving her brother Shane, huntsman of the Nore Vale Harriers, at somewhat of a loss at home. Bridgette was renowned for her skill at turning out the Nore Vale hunt horses to their very best and continues to do so for the South Tipperary Harriers.

Croke’s soon-to-be brother-in-law Doyle attempted to soften the blow of losing Bridgette to the South Tipps by lending Shane a good hunting horse last season. While the gesture did not go unnoticed, it will take a lot more than that for the Cats to forget losing one of their own to the Premier county.

No date has been set yet for the wedding but Bridgette has assured Irish Horse World that it will be scheduled in the off-season so that all their family and friends can help them celebrate.