DEREK O’Connor had already long established immortal status in the point-to-point realm, but his record-extending 12th champion rider title in the season just gone belongs in the history books as one of his finest accomplishments yet.

In the same campaign that saw him move on to the incredible 1,400-winner mark at Ballyknock in April, the Fiddaun, Co Galway native ended his term on 45 winners from 134 rides - a superb 34% strike rate that towered over any of his nearest rivals. He ulttimately finished eight successes in front of his top-calibre title rival Barry O’Neill. Having been presented the The Irish Field Champion Rider Award at last weekend’s Point-To-Point Awards in the Whites of Wexford Hotel, O’Connor spoke to Mark Boylan about a period to savour between the flags.