FORMER journalist Niall Cronin, now communications manager for the IHRB, often has his work cut out releasing the good and not so good news about racing matters.

And as if he hadn’t enough to do, Kildare GAA has confirmed that it is proposing Niall as the new manager of the county’s minor football team. Niall’s selectors will be Eamonn Callaghan, Hugh Lynch and James Devane.

We wonder who Niall prefers dealing with – the teenage footballers or the stewards?

Best of luck, Niall.

Weighty Ryan book prize up for grabs

BUDDING authors, here is a competition not to be missed. The Dr Tony Ryan Book Award, presented annually by Castleton Lyons, is awarded to the author of the best book on any aspect of thoroughbred racing for work published in 2020.

The work can fall into any category: fiction, non-fiction, children, handicapping, breeding, training, photography, etc. A panel of judges will take into consideration design, layout, and artwork when relevant.

The author of the winning book will receive $10,000 and a trophy. Other finalists will receive $1,000 each and a trophy.

A book must be officially released in calendar year 2020 in order to be eligible so no time to waste to get your masterpiece out there.

Entry form and specifics can be downloaded from castletonlyons.com.