IN the past I have had many enjoyable, but challenging, days with the East Clare Harriers in their country, bordering the mighty Lough Derg on the Shannon running from Limerick city right up to Whitegate which is on the upper reaches of Lough Dergy.

So, last Sunday, Whitegate it was and the venue was its only functioning hostelry, The Half Barrel, a gastro pub run by Batt and Annette O’Riordan and more welcoming or attentive hosts it would be hard to find. Joint-master Declan Durack was there to greet us but he definitely wouldn’t have passed the vet on the day but reckoned when he was on his horse and got going, he’d be fine.