It was a red-letter occasion for 20-year-old Johnny Hurley at yesterday’s Avondhu Foxhounds point-to-point fixture at Knockanard for he rode his first winner aboard Jimmy Mangan’s Gabrielleamee in the closing six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

The Golden Vale Foxhounds point-to-point took place at Glenbane outside Holycross on Saturday and the Pat Doyle-trained Indy Five made amends for his unfortunate final fence mishap when well in command at Rathcannon last month by landing the opening four-year-old maiden-

THERE was a survey published last week in the UK that found that Catholics don’t feel any more guilt than other religious adherents: indeed, the results were so striking that the pollsters felt bold enough to claim that Catholic guilt is a myth.

I would like to express my appreciation of the excellent article which Micheál Martin wrote recently on the Béal na mBláth commemoration, which was statesmanlike, dignified and respectful.

THE gloves have come off against Sinn Féin presidential candidate Martin McGuinness with all-out-war taking place by senior politicians for his past and present disposition.

I AGREE with Brendan Casserly (Letters May 12) when he says Brian Cowen, Brian Linehan and Mary Coughlan have two things in common: they are not up to doing their jobs and all three inherited their seats from their fathers.

ANOTHER opportunity wasted — the elephant’s still sitting in the corner.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has promised a symbolic cull of junior

A toxic bank needs to be set up before the Budget next month, a leading economist said today.

Minister for Finance Brian Linehan has today indicated that further tax rises will be a feature of his future economic policy.

An air travel tax of €10 per person has been introduced in the 2009 Budget by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

THE latest education cutback is to close a centre developing vital Government policy and structures for pre-school education.