A TOTAL of 10 runners lined up for the 2023 League of Ireland Mascot Race at Naas Racecourse last Saturday. This was the fourth running of the event, dreamt up by Waterford author Brian Kennedy, who wanted to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society, following his mother’s passing.

Other charities to benefit include the Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Grow Mental Health and, this year, the event was in aid of The Samaritans. It was sponsored by the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland.

Staged after the first horse race, the mascot heat was run over a furlong and the clear winner was Benny The Bull from the Sligo Rovers Dublin Supporters Club.

In the costume was Eoin McManus. We don’t think Eoin is related to J.P. McManus, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Eoin is running for Limerick hurlers next year.

Other clubs represented were Waterford, Finn Harps, Wexford, Sporting Fingal, Kilkenny City, Galway United, Kildare County, Bray Wanderers and Saint Francis.