Great to see Matt back in winners' enclosure
INSIDE RIGHT
■ Matt O'Connor on board Kimberlite King.
GOOD NEWS stories are all too rare in these dour, depression-filled times, so when we hear tales of a happy nature we should treasure them.
And no story could warm the heart more than that of young Wexford jockey Matt O'Connor, who last week rode his first winner since returning to the saddle following a life-threatening injury when steering home 'Kimberlite King' at Fairyhouse.
O'Connor made a miraculous recovery after sustaining head injuries at Thurles last March. He spent several weeks in intensive care at Cork University Hospital, yet was back race riding in October.
'Inside Right' had the pleasure of interviewing the young Ballon-based jockey last July in the midst of his recovery from injury and yours truly was seriously impressed by his single-mindedness and bravery.
This writer has made no secret of our dislike for brainless punters who continuously criticise jockeys after losing rides, talking through their pockets as their €5 each-way goes astray.
Do these mindless clowns ever consider that these brave horsemen put their lives on the line on a daily basis for our pleasure?
The story of O'Connor illustrates just how dangerous a game National Hunt racing is, and he was one of the lucky ones.
So maybe the next time you say a jockey is useless because your bet has gone west, you'll consider young Matt O'Connor, who underwent months of treatment at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoighaire and has thankfully ended up back in the winners' enclosure.
Unfortunately other jockeys, like the late Kieran Kelly, Seán Cleary and Ronan Lawlor, weren't so lucky.
■ After watching the Champions League action over the past few weeks it looks increasingly likely that we're going to the get the same predictable few teams vying for honours in May.
Holders Barcelona, although far from impressive in their first leg 1-1 draw with Stuttgart, are still definitely very much the side to beat.
Man. United will be hoping another team will do them a favour by sending the Spaniards packing as Red Devils fans could hardly have any great confidence in their side toppling the Catalan giants.
The main problem for United is they would probably try to beat Barcelona at their own game, and the chances of them out-passing and outplaying Pep Guardiola's men is practically nil.
Chelsea, on the other hand, may use their superior physical force to grind out a win over Barcelona or alternatively bore the Catalans to death, a feat they came agonisingly close to pulling off last year.
After those three there's not realistically many more in the shake-up.
Arsenal's record against the big boys in the Premier League has been nothing short of appalling this season so they probably can be ruled out of the equation.
The superstar-laden Real Madrid are pretty hit and miss, but given that's it's a knockout competition they could beat anyone on their day.
So it wouldn't be a huge surprise if we're watching an all-Spanish final being beamed from the Bernabeu at the end of May, draw permitting of course.
- DAVE DEVEREUX
