Tim's Diary

After the disappointments of Cheltenham it was heartening to see Mr. Top Notch give Conor O’Dwyer a fairytale ending with Davy Fitzgerald’s big charge romping home in Fairyhouse. Hats off to Big John’s brother who owns him. Big man, big horse.
No less than Conor deserved for his swansong. A pity about his outing in Aintree where BJ came a cropper.

Staying with fairytales, what about Timmy Murphy in the Aintree national. Aside complete from the fact of having a few quid on him wasn’t it a marvelous outcome for TJ. Any student of the form book would have been amazed at the generous weight the horse was given. Timmy gave him a copybook ride, keeping him well out of trouble, he must have covered five miles during the race. Donn McLean and himself will have to sit down to add a few chapters to his book “Riding the Storm,” to cover this latest adventure. before you go on the hunt for the book don’t forget Michael Wards great piece on the Murphy dynasty in one of the Punchestown specials a few years ago.

As you will know the Breener had a spell in hospital recently. He is well on the mend and should be leading the pilgrimage to Punchestown soon. On a visit to him I met Fr. Paddy Dowling who was based here in the 60’s. He is retired for a couple of years but keeps an interest in Ballymore through the Bugle. He is currently involved in a project cataloguing all the notable artifacts in the churches of the diocese. He is in great form and sends greetings to anyone who remembers him in the village.

I have heard that it is a chipper, a wine bar, a coffee shop but whatever goes on the site of Balfes old drapery shop will be brand spanking new. The old building was taken down in double quick time and work on the new one is proceeding apace. The suspense is killing me.

Don’t forget to support your local outlets during the races. Ardenode Country House Hotel, The Ballymore Inn, Poulaphouca House and the Thatch all have extended opening hours, the last two open for hearty breakfasts. Costcutters, Deegan’s Daybreak and Fogarty’s Quikpick all have tasty food to go. Paddy Murphys and Mick Murphys both will lash out creamy pints during and after the racing. Look in on John & orene from Gallery & Gifts in the shopping village at Punchestown.

Orlagh Deegan & Caroline Darby are off to Sydney in July for World Youth Day where they will be representing Ballymore Parish. We are having a few fundraisers to help out with the dosh so come along to the Resource Centre this weekend Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th. Coffee, nice things and raffles. Please support as you always do.