ALL credit to the team at TG4 and Nemeton TV who supply them with their coverage.

When thanks is being offered to the ‘unsung’ heroes of Irish racing, they are worthy of a special mention.

On Wednesday, I made my annual trip to Listowel to enjoy one of the best meetings in Ireland, Kerry National day.

Part of the Harvest Festival, the day saw a thronged enclosure, enjoying the fine weather, great racing, and a chance to pay homage to Sam Maguire, present in spirit and personified by the fact that the trophy that bears his name was on display.

One of Kerry’s All-Ireland heroes, Jason Foley, shouldered me out of having all the spotlight with Daragh Ó Conchúir, but I got my cúpla nóiméad, couple of minutes, on screen, and even had the temerity to tip the winner of the Guinness-sponsored feature.

Some readers might remember that, in 2017, I undertook to visit all of Ireland’s 26 racecourses in that calendar year, and Listowel was the penultimate course I called on.

Well, Nemeton TV’s producer Cathal O’Hare and his team will, by mid-November, have covered racing at 15 of the 26 tracks between last year and this.

They broke new ground earlier this year at Ballinrobe and Tipperary, and were back to Galway for the first time in 15 years too. Even a day out on the beach at Laytown made it on to the schedule.

Now comes news that they will be at Down Royal on Friday, November 4th and eight days later will complete their 2022 roster with coverage of the flat season’s finale at Naas.

Their growing presence is welcome, and a vote of confidence in the sport. The passion that the team, in front of and behind the camera, display for racing is quite infectious, and they are engaging with their audience at a level that makes their coverage extremely accessible, and educational.

A mention too for Seán Bán Breathnach, Mánus Ó Conghaile and Evelyn Ní Ghriallais who occupied the chairs for this week’s live broadcast, while Daragh was the man on the ground. Viewers like to hear from as many of the sport’s participants as possible, and TG4 ensured that all the latest happenings in the sport were covered during their six days of airtime.

Thar ceann gach duine sa rásaíocht, buíochas mór le foireann TG4 ar fad, agus coinnigh suas leis an dea-obair. For the non-Irish speakers, this writer included, it’s time to Google for a translation!