FIXTURE clashes with major GAA events are a hazard of the racecourse management profession but Tom Ryan was presented with a fairly unusual conundrum one October when a county final he was due to play in was scheduled for a day of duty at Naas.

Fortunately, there would be just enough time for the supremo of the Tipper Road track to beat a hasty exit from his place of work to don the blue and white hoops of his adopted club in the county town.