Trainers triumph over jockeys as stars line out for charity

The stars turned out in big numbers at Simonstown Gaels GAA centre in Navan on Sunday night for the second annual charity game between the Irish racehorse trainers and jockeys. Organised by Caitrin O'Rourke, Sunday night's event was staged after the day's racing at Navan. Noel Meade took charge of the trainers' team again after he managed to avoid a defeat last year in the inaugural game while jockey Ken Whelan was barking out the orders and trying to keep control of the jockeys. Both teams were permitted to select two Meath players, with Meade opting for Seamus Kenny and Joe Sheridan while Whelan had Shane O'Rourke and Eoghan Harrington in his line-up. Celebrities were also permitted, but were restricted to one per team. Meade opted for Meath's former legendary forward Colm O'Rourke while Niall Quinn was the star attraction for the trainers. The commentary duties were shared with the dulcet tones of racing's Dessie Scahill augmented by the popular LMFM personality Brendan Cummins. Comparisons were made throughout the game by the commentators with Cummins suggesting that Quinn was definitely in need of some improvement in relation to his ability to take scores. There were also suggestions that the handicapper might have a closer look at some of the tactics which were employed by the jockeys as they attempted to thwart a more talented trainers' team. Both teams also featured two ladies, Martina Doran and Lucy McLernon for the trainers, with Nina Carberry and Laura Hourigan featuring for the jockeys, who also boasted the likes of former Cortown player Roger Loughran and former St Cuthbert's under-age star Johnny Murtagh. “We won the game comfortably, both teams had full panels, Willie McCreery played a blinder for us, he was brilliant,†Meade said afterwards. “Niall Quinn scored a penalty for the jockeys, but I'm not convinced it was a penalty in the first place. “There's great potential to attract a bigger crowd and it might be a better idea to consider staging the game after one of the summer meeting in Navan next year. When we collect all the money that was pledged, we should have a decent amount because we also raised a substantial amount at the auction afterwards,†he added. “Davy Russell paid €550 for a football autographed by the All-Ireland-winning Cork team and there were plenty of other items on offer. “I'm optimistic that I'll be returned as manager for 2011 as I have an unbeaten record at this stage and will be going for three-in-a-row next year,†concluded the Castletown trainer. The event was organised in aid of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.