LIMERICK trainer Eric McNamara is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming 2019 Listowel Festival. The popular Rathkeale handler regularly targets the seven-day harvest extravaganza, but this year there’s an extra pep in his step as he puts the finishing touches to yet another formidable team.

The North Kerry venue has proven a happy hunting ground in the past for the former International show jumper, with three victories in the Kerry National included in his impressive haul at the track. McNamara is a hard grafter who, like so many of his trainer comrades, has had to go to the buckle-end to survive in an occupation he loves.