TIPPERARY County Council chose to honour its two most favoured sons, international show jumping riders Shane and Trevor Breen, last Monday evening at Cashel’s civic centre Brú Ború.

In a ‘This is your Life’ type production and in front of a packed house, presenter Paul Collins took the Breen brothers through their careers from pony show jumping and hunting right up to the dizzy international heights they have achieved in their careers.

Not since Tommy Wade and Dundrum, who were similarly honoured back in the day, has Tipperary seen anything quite like the heroes’ welcome afforded to its most famous sporting brothers.

Roger Kennedy, Cathlaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, complete with chain of office, and CEO Joe McGrath were there to welcome Shane and Trevor back to Cashel, where they grew up on the Dualla road just a stone’s throw from the venue.

It was no easy task for the organisers to find a gap in the brothers’ busy international schedule for this event but the two lads were home for their late mother Mary’s 10th anniversary Mass and I’m sure she would have been more than proud to see how the careers of her two sons have progressed. Their sister Rowena (Boyd) and husband Edward, complete with their young family, made the trip from their home in Co Louth.

Among the contributors on screen was their dad John Breen who spoke about the two boys growing up. Shane couldn’t be kept at school as all he wanted to was ride while the bookish Trevor came back to horses from a career as a teacher in nearby Rockwell.

Other contributors were Team Ireland show jumping manager Michael Blake who was also present on the night. Later Michael, who hails from just across the Shannon in Scariff, appeared on the video, speaking from Gdansk in Poland and on his way to the team’s next venue at Rotterdam. He added a few words: “I was delighted and honoured to be asked to attend and contribute to such a prestigious event. It is heartening to see the regard in which Shane and Trevor are held for their successful careers and their contribution to the Irish horse industry by their native county. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them both continued success.”

Alan Wade, international course builder whose dad Tommy was Shane’s mentor in his formative days, spoke warmly of the brothers’ success and the honour they have brought to Co Tipperary.

Family occasion

The Breen family were there in force with Chloe and Caroline, Shane and Trevor’s wives who had made the trip from Sussex where preparations are well under way for the upcoming Hickstead Derby Show. The extended Breen family of uncles, aunts, cousins and many hunting friends including Shane’s joint-master Chris Ryan, the inimitable John Gleeson, Michael Condon from Wexford all came to offer support. Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan was on hand as was Jerome Casey from Coolmore.

It was a most successful evening which I know will live with the Breen brothers long after their many show jumping success have faded from memory.