FARRIER Stephen McDonagh died suddenly earlier this month at Cork University Hospital. He was 67.

Originally from Shrule, in Co Mayo, he grew up in Brittas, Co Dublin, and served his time with master farrier John Gallagher in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, before qualifying in 1975 as a silver medal winner. Among his classmates were Liam McAteer, Paddy Hennessy, Brian Dardis and his own brother, Kevin.

His grandfather John Monaghan from Tuam, Co Galway, had represented Ireland in farriery and won a gold medal in Sweden in 1922. Stephen was national champion in 1988, as was Kevin on three occasions.

Settling in Cork, Stephen worked for David Magnier in Grange Stud, Castlehyde Stud, Bobby McCarthy in The Beeches and top point-to-point handlers such as Martin Hurley, Jimmy Mangan, Paul Kerr and Liam Burke.

Predeceased by his wife Gretta, he is survived by his daughters Marilyn and Christina, brothers Kevin and Barry, who is master of the South County Dublin Hunt, and sister Margaret.