Meathman's Diary: Racing legend sets the sporting record straight

Every now and again people will contact this column with a tale to tell. We got one of those calls a few weeks ago and the man at the other end of the phone was none other than the great Paddy Woods.

Those who might not be connected with horseracing or know anything about the sport of kings would be justified in asking. Paddy who? However, to those with even a passing interest in the sport - particularly those of a certain vintage - the name will resonate like the sound of a church bell echoing through a quiet, rural parish.

Paddy however contacted the column in relation to a matter unconnected with horseracing but let's put that aside for the moment.

In his young days Paddy rode out horses in Tom Dreaper's yard in Greenogue, Kilsallaghan near Ashbourne. He was also a jockey. One of the horses he rode out was the prince of them all - the great Arkle.

Paddy etched a place for himself in the annals of Irish racing when in 1962 he guided Arkle to success in the President's Handicap Hurdle at Gowan Park. It was the last hurdle Arkle participated in. He turned to steeplechasing and became a superstar; the Lionel Messi of racing in the 1960s with Pat Taaffe taking over the reins.

As well as horseracing Paddy Woods has, and continues to have, a passionate interest in athletics and he was somewhat perturbed when he recently read an article in a local publication about a club he helped set up - St Andrew's AC, Greenogue, now Ashbourne St Andrew's AC.

So he wants to put the record straight - and the first thing he wishes to clarify is that the club's origins date back to a sports day that used to be held near Dan Moore's training stables, where Tattersalls is now. It did not orginate at Fairyhouse racecourse as suggested in the article.

The sports day was such a success it was decided - 65 years ago this year - to form a local athletics club in a site given to them by the legendary Dan. St Andrew's AC was up and running. Eventually the club moved to Greenogue, near Ashbourne and grew and grew.

Paddy recalls how some exceptional athletes ran in the club's colours including Ollie Shanley who was a member of the Meath football team that won the Sam Maguire in 1967. Ollie, it seems, was a fine sprinter too.

That was another thing about the said article that perturbed Paddy. It didn't mention great people like Ollie, or Pat Rooney from Kilbride another talented footballer, or Patsy McCabe from Ratoath or Pat Donnelly from Ratoath, two great hurlers. They too did St Andrew's proud. There were others.

St Andrew's, Paddy recalls, had some imaginative ways of raising funds including in the 1960s the day when Arkle was paraded around Tolka Park with Pat Taaffe on board followed by a soccer game between jockeys and showbiz folk.

They were great days, says Paddy, who loved his horseracing - and his athletics too.