IF you are in the Kilmessan area in Co Meath, watch out for 71-year-old stud groom Michael Murphy whizzing to and from Ennistown Stud on his new electric bike.

The stud’s Ruairí Ó Coileáin reports: “Michael has worked in Ennistown since he was a boy and cycled the five or six miles from his home to the stud every day. Recently the chain snapped and, as Michael does not drive a car, he asked me to take it to be repaired.

“On the way to the garage, the thought struck me that an electric bike would be the perfect gift for Michael. After five minutes he was flying on it and now he says he has the commute down to 12 minutes.”

Michael is a true unsung hero of the bloodstock world, says Ruairí. “They don’t make them like Michael any more. If he sees anything out of place he attends to it immediately. He lost his dear wife far too soon and raised four great children. Michael lives a very quiet life and couldn’t even go for his usual pint at the weekend during Covid but he never complains. He has also raised a lot of money for the local hurling and camogie club.”