CLIFF Noone, former senior racing reporter with The Irish Field and press officer for the Turf Club, has died. He was 70.

From Killester in Dublin, he was a son of Irish Times sports editor Gerry Noone and followed his father into the world of journalism.

The Irish Field was owned by The Irish Times at that time and Cliff joined the Field as a racing reporter. Following the retirement of Dave Baker, Cliff became senior reporter and was a fixture at all the major Festivals for many years.

Known for his wonderful sense of humour and mischief, Cliff was great company on social occasions, when he would entertain companions with his impressions of racing personalities and unprintable tales from the racing circuit.

In 2002, having just turned 50, he surprised his colleagues by taking early retirement, only to pop up again a few months later as the Turf Club’s first press officer. One of his duties in that role was to post daily updates on racecourse ground conditions on the Turf Club Information Line. A colleague remarked this week that you could almost predict what was to follow by the tone of Cliff’s voice in his opening sentence.

Cliff retired from the Turf Club in 2018. He was also a member of the Racegoers Consultative Forum.

He lived in Naas, having moved from Dublin to Kildare in the mid-90s. Swan Dowling’s was his local and he enjoyed nothing more than a steak and a few pints there with family and friends.

Sadly, after a long illness Cliff’s wife Margaret passed away in March 2020, just before the Covid lockdown. Their only child, Gerald, has a family in England.

When news of Cliff’s passing broke this week, the Racing Writers WhatsApp group was flooded with warm tributes to their lost colleague and friend.

“A wonderful character, the life and soul of the press room.”

“One of a kind, with a heart of gold.”

“A gent who was a great help to youngsters starting out in the press room.”

“Cliff wore his heart on his sleeve and there was always plenty of entertainment in the press rooms around the country before racing when he was present.”

Reposing on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm at Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, Church Lane, Naas, W91 VY71. Removal on Monday to Newlands Cross Crematorium arriving for 10am Service. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society.