A HUGE sense of relief certainly epitomises the emotions of so many after the opening weekend of the new point-to-point season brought to an end the 27-week long drought without any action between the flags. The appetite for the sport’s return was certainly evident with divided races featuring on the opening weekend for the first time in eight years.

The scene at Ballingarry and Oldcastle was certainly an unfamiliar one. Temperature checks and compulsory mask wearing greeted those on arrival, and inside the venues much was different to ensure compliance with public health guidelines matching that of racecourses.