Dairy farming convert Edward Payne from Co Roscommon has been chosen as the 2014 Teagasc Student of the Year, a prestigious annual competition sponsored by FBD Trust.

The coveted Gain Mares’ Final occupied centre stage at yesterday’s well-attended Ballynoe point-to-point fixture, staged under the auspices of the United Hunt at Garryane, Killavorilla and Kilclare.

Eoin O’Sullivan (17) will treasure fond memories of yesterday’s Kilkenny Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Grennan Castle outside Thomastown as he partnered his initial career winner aboard his father Eugene’s The Hollinwell in the open lightweight.

The European Commission is seeking applications for trainee positions in its numerous institutions across Europe.

Gordon Elliot is well on his way to winning the point-to-point handlers’ championship and the Co Meath-based operator sent out two winners at the rescheduled Brosna Foxhounds meeting outside Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.

Why don’t we name the new Liffey bridge after people who are forgotten in the inanities of politics and posturing, but without whom most of the Government, and nearly all the posers, would have disappeared long ago?

I see photos of Middle-East rebels and am glad that our government is supporting them and that the Americans are bombing them...

Backstage warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival with victory at Tinahely point-to-point on Sunday.

Colman Sweeney received the ideal boost ahead of partnering Salsify in the Cheltenham Foxhunters in a little under two weeks time by steering Garrett Ahern’s newcomer Now Ben to a hugely-impressive success in the first division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at yesterday’s West Waterford Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Lismore.

On a miserably wet afternoon for all concerned, the Pat Doyle-trained Serious Mixture lit up yesterday’s Kilkenny Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Grennan Castle outside Thomastown by recording a gallant pillar-to-post success in a competitive first division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Dysart Dancer, far from one hundred per cent in the morning, stripped fit and well to land the 2012 Tramore Races Centenary Year Maiden Hurdle at the seaside venue yesterday.

So, Mr Shatter wants fewer Garda stations. When I got mugged outside our local bank three years ago, some terrific passers-by chased and got hold of the armed robber.

PANDORAMA has been ruled out for the entire season after failing to fully recover from an injury sustained in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

JAMIE CODD enjoyed the celebrations that followed his history-making point-to-point achievement of going through the card at Tinahely on Sunday, but it’s back to business now as he pursues a coveted jockeys’ title.

TWO criminal gangs specialising in smash-and-grab raids are on the shortlist of suspects for a dramatic raid on an ATM in Tinahely, Co Wicklow.

A major investigation is underway after an armed gang ripped an ATM from a branch of Bank of Ireland in Co Wicklow this morning.

Gardaí in Wicklow are investigating the theft of an ATM in Tinahely in the early hours of this morning.

DESPITE advances in the past 100 years, Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 10% of our land planted with trees compared to the European average of 40%.

EXCELLENCE in pedigree cattle production was recognised at the presentation of the RDS Champion of Champion awards in Dublin.

TOURISM leaders hope to attract nearly four million extra visitors to Ireland over the coming years by upgrading walking routes and rolling out special facilities for hikers.

I USED to think Shillelagh was a placename invented for American movies.

THERE were no less than 12 races and 168 runners at Saturday’s rescheduled Kildare Hunt point-to-point meeting at Punchestown racecourse and Jamie Codd had an afternoon to savour with a whopping five winners.

DOWN exhibitor, Desmond Gibson, Dromara, had a successful outing to the Iverk Show in Piltown, Co Kilkenny, where he won the Tullamore Dew brood mare and foal All Ireland championship.

MUNSTER breeders showed the overall champion and reserve, the senior and junior champions and the reserves at the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association’s All-Ireland finals at Tinahely Show in Co Wicklow.

THE early indications, after just four days of the flat season, are that Aidan O'Brien's horses may well be much further forward than the trainer believed.

A CLASSY three year old took the young horse championship at Midleton Show for the Tinahely, Co Wicklow, exhibitor, Derry Rothwell.

Champion Irish jumps trainer Noel Meade could be double-handed in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 8.

MAYO and Fermanagh were football opponents in Croke Park yesterday, but it was different at the weekend Limerick Show where interests from both counties combined to bring off a spectacular all-island final success in horse showing.

Gardaí are searching the home of a man in connection with the abduction of a one-year-old child in Co Carlow yesterday morning.