NEARLY 15 years ago, I wrote a piece for a booklet that accompanied The Irish Field 25th anniversary celebration of the annual point-to-point awards.

“Even if John Thomas McNamara does set a new career (riders) total target, this figure could be under threat from the young man taking his first title this year. Only 21 years of age Derek O’Connor notched his 100th winner in May of this year (2004)”