CONAN Faulkner, who found himself in hospital this time last year, is organising a charity night in aid of the Neuroscience Appeal at Beaumont Hospital and Bowel Cancer Research UK.

Put plans in place therefore to be at the Bushtown Hotel, Coleraine at 8.30pm on Saturday, February 14th (St Valentine’s Day for those who need reminding) when there will be live music by Bits N Pieces, followed by a D.J. Light refreshments will be provided and there will be a raffle and auction.

Co Derry native Conan, who was working for north Co Dublin trainer Ado McGuinness at the time but had actually driven out of his digs in his new jeep to go skiing with friends in France on January 9th 2025, suffered a seizure after a very short distance and was rushed to the Dublin Hospital. Having suffered a second seizure in Beaumont, Conan underwent a five-hour operation during which he was woken up at times to talk to the surgeons. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 Astrocytoma brain tumour which, he told us at the time, “was around the size of a golf ball,” but didn’t require any chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

He was allowed home in early February since when his road to recovery has included visits to Dundalk Stadium to meet up with the McGuinness crew.