Rachael’s iconic moment commemorated

A STUNNING mural honouring Rachael Blackmore’s historical Grand National success with Minella Times has received mass acclaim and plaudits this week.

The mural was beautifully painted by Neil O’Dwyer on the wall of The Junction, a gastrobar and guesthouse owned by MJ Buckley, which is opposite Tipperary racecourse.

O’Dwyer is a well known mural artist and his work can be seen all around the country. He painted a mural of Tommy Stack and Red Rum 27 years ago and is also set to update and refresh a mural he did of Istabraq in Bruff, Co Limerick, in the coming weeks.

He told The Irish Field: “A mural of Rachael was always going to appear somewhere but I was delighted to get the chance to paint it for the proprietor MJ Buckley. Rachael is obviously a phenomenon who transcended the sport of horse racing and a Tipperary woman as well.

“It took five days to paint the mural and the feedback has really been amazing. It went viral on the various social media channels last weekend and the last time I checked on Facebook, the post had 17,000 likes, 1,300 shares and bundles of lovely comments.

“I received a lovely message from Rachael’s mother Eimir and that is always nice to receive.”

A portfolio of Neil’s work can be found on his Instagram page, which is titled Irishmurals, and on his website www.murals.ie

THE annual Hurling for Cancer research event will take place at a new venue for 2023 - Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow.

The unique hurling match, which has raised over €1.3 million to date, usually takes place at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, but that venue is under renovation. The game will take place on Monday, August 21st with throw-in at 6pm.

The event, organised annually by leading trainer Jim Bolger and former champion jockey Davy Russell, allows sports fans to rub shoulders with household names from the world of horse racing, GAA, soccer and boxing along with a host of celebrities.

The funds raised from the event provide hope for cancer patients by supporting life changing research, which improves outcomes for cancer patients and increases the amount of cancer trials taking place in Ireland.

Jim Bolger commented: “We are most grateful to the Carlow County Board for stepping up at short notice to provide a fitting replacement for St Conleth’s Park. The Hurling For Cancer Research team are excited to work with Jim Bolger (chairperson of Carlow GAA) of and his fellow board members to bring a new audience to Netwatch Cullen Park this August. With two Jim Bolgers involved, a bumper evening is guaranteed! I would like to wish St Conelth’s Park all the best on their refurbishment project.”

To purchase your individual (€10) or family (€15) ticket online or to make a donation direct to Hurling for Cancer Research and help support a great cause, please visit www.hurlingforcancer.ie.

Winner!

WE had a huge number of entries for our competition to win a ¤1,000 travel voucher with Hannon Travel and the lucky winner was Sean Fahy from Galway. Sean is a part-time sport horse breeder and former point-to-point jockey, and was delighted to win.