BOYLAN TALKS SPORT: An ounce of breeding is worth a tonne of feeding

The words in the above headline were first imparted in this direction in relation to cattle. Inference being that you will spend the same money feeding an animal of poor quality as you will one of better pedigree. But though the latter might have cost a bit more to buy in, it is almost certain to deliver a greater dividend.

You have to shift the angles a bit to make the analogy work in a sporting context but it can be done.

Whenever change occurs there’s always apprehension, but if said alterations involve individuals coming from renowned ‘stock’, it greatly lessens any impending strife. Two pertinent cases of significant local interest came to mind.

Now, where sport is concerned, postal addresses are curious but crucially important oddities. Mostly in GAA circles, owing to the age-old Parish Rule. Meaning that an individual has to play with the club in the parish in which they reside. Straight forward, right? Not quite.

Occasionally it throws up unfathomable situations. For example, at adult level, a player can, technically, at the beginning of their career, decide what club they want to commit their future to.

However, that in turn led to the nonsensical situation where Nigel Crawford - whose father the former Down hurler Brendan played with our club for many years - could play for Dunboyne at adult level but - because the family home was at the back of The County Club, thus in Ratoath parish - he couldn’t line out for our club Minor team.

Which was infuriating because at the time we had an exceptionally talented U-18 group which included David Gallagher, Paul McKeon, Paul Watters, John Ryan, Ken Gannon, Niall McKenna and Leo Reilly, all of whom - along with Nigel - played huge parts when our club lifted the Keegan Cup for the first time in 1998. Can you imagine the difference Crawford would have made to that Minor team who, between U-17 and Minor, lost three county finals?

Anyway, believe it or not, all of the immediately preceding was inserted solely to illustrate that postal addresses may not be all they seem.

You see, over the past weekend, to quote Seamus Heaney, we saw hope and history rhyme as a local sporting dynasty, an impeccable sporting legacy went full circle.

Dreaper. Mere mention of the name and the next word usually to pass someone’s lips is Arkle. The Greatest. ‘Himself’. Only made so by his genius trainer, Tom Dreaper. Arkle and Flyingbolt and Fortria and Fort Leney and as many more as could fill several volumes of an encyclopaedia.

Then Jim took up the baton, striving to achieve the impossible. To equal or better the mesmeric achievements of his late father. Here’s the thing, I would always contend that to compare greatness is to devalue it. Evaluate and enjoy each glorious event on its own merits.

And Jim Dreaper certainly oversaw the production of a plethora of sporting glories in his own right. With another phalanx of equine royalty which yours truly would be afraid to namecheck, but for a few notable exceptions.

Namely, Merry Gale, whom I recall being a top chaser in his era, Carvill’s Hill and Brown Lad. A special, personal connection being felt with the latter pair which will be elaborated upon momentarily.

But even since I became properly attuned to all things racing there have been a couple of horses which gave the Greenogue yard days in the limelight and could have gone on to even greater things had circumstances not intervened to the detriment of both steeds.

Harcon was the most beautiful horse I ever laid an eye on. A tank long before Denman ever put one hoof in front of another. If ever there was a prototype Dreaper horse it was him.

Huge, but with the scope and propulsion to jump and gallop rivals into submission. With one major caveat. His herculean frame absolutely dependent on there being considerable cut in the ground to ensure safe conveyance of his gargantuan frame.

Sadly, the one time his owners went against the trainer’s greater wisdom and wanted the horse ran on ground he never should have, they ended up paying the ultimate price.

The other Dreaper inmate that gave them some memorable days which could’ve been even more was Goonyella.

Cynics might say he was ‘only’ a mudlark or a Hunter Chaser but that bio would do him a terrible disservice. As, in the famous green and gold silks and red cap of the late Ann and Alan Potts, he did bring a Midlands Grand National title, a third place finish in a Scottish equivalent and fifth at Aintree back to his Co Meath residence.

Yes, you did read that correctly - Meath. Hence we arrive back to postal addresses. Officially, Dreaper Racing is listed as being located at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan, Co Dublin. Yet, literally speaking, they are very much in Ashbourne parish and very much Meath inclined.

Tom Dreaper II plays or at least did play hurling with Donaghmore/Ashbourne while - to my great surprise - I discovered a couple of years ago Jim is very much up to speed with the fortunes of the Meath football team.

Well, perhaps aptly then, at Navan on Saturday last, the wheels of history went full circle as both El Capitane and Shopping Around went to work with ‘Tom Dreaper’ listed as their trainer.

Yes, the third generation (at least) has taken the reins in Greenogue. And, though neither of his representatives made the frame on the day, that the horses were owned by the Skelly and Jones families is highly significant with both being long standing clients of the yard.

While what lies ahead of him will undoubtedly be a challenge, there’s no reason to doubt Tom will add his own chapters to an already glorious history.

Read our the extensive interview with Jim Dreaper from 2021 that marked his 70th birthday here.

Also check out this week's Meath Chronicle for Tom Gannon's chat with Jim after he decided to call time on his career.

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Also on Saturday, it was a very similar story for Dunderry’s Sean Brennan. The citog custodian has made the No 1 jersey his own during Colm O’Rourke’s tenure so far.

One thing which has become brilliantly obvious over that time is, whatever about the rudiments of netminding, he certainly didn’t lick his dead ball expertise off the ground.

Not surprising, with him being a grandson of the great Tony Brennan, scorer-in-chief in Meath’s All Ireland win in 1967 and selector with Sean Boylan for the triumphs of 1987 and ‘88.

In recent weeks, I have made the point that the custodian’s influence within the team has been increasing incrementally. Though maybe not in the manner most would expect.

Specifically, his long range free taking. In one of the recent matches in Pairc Tailteann he essayed two over, but on Saturday last at Kingspan Breffni Park he went one better, converting a triumvirate.

The last and most difficult of which grabbed a draw for Meath which was the very least they deserved.

Could they have won it? Yes, indeed maybe they should have. But in the bearpit that is Div 2 this season is no mean feat.

Promotion possibilities seem to have passed but that might be no harm. The upward curve continues. That’ll do lads, that’ll do - for now.