TIPPERARY Foxhounds chairman Connie O’Brien is homeward-bound following his fall at the opening meet in Fethard, Co Tipperary almost two weeks ago.

O’Brien was unseated from his horse and struck his neck on an outcrop of limestone on landing.

Immediately attended to by a paramedic who was following the hunt on foot, O’Brien was taken by ambulance to nearby St Joseph’s Hospital in Clonmel before being transferred to Waterford Regional Hospital.

After being assessed, he was found to have fractured two vertebrae and again transferred to the Mater in Dublin, where he was looked after by a team of surgeons.

The Tipperary man was fitted with a body cast from his hip to his head and was expected to return home to Cahir to recuperate by the weekend.

Son Ciaran told The Irish Field Connie was in good spirits, although his movement will be considerably restricted.

“I don’t think he’ll drink too many pints in the body cast!” he quipped.