BORN and raised in New Ross, my father Michael worked hard all his life. No tractor, just a pushbike and pony and cart. Our mother (Norah) died when I was five and he raised us; he’d make butter, bake bread and have dinner for us when we got home from school. He’d bring eggs and potatoes into New Ross to sell. My father dropped dead in the field when he was only 60 and we were all devastated.

He was a very holy man, a lot more than me, although I say a few prayers and thank St Paul and God for my health and things going well with the horses. My two sisters, Alice and May, both got married in England; one of my brothers, John Joe, is in Coventry and my other brother, Philip, is in Kildare. I’d say I’ve the best brothers on the planet; if I were stuck for help they’d be here in no time.