Irish winners - Willie and Walsh

SPORTING success is never achieved alone and a rise to the top or getting your hands on that trophy demands the help of many others.

Natural talent of the individual athlete is essential but so is the support of coaches, trainers and others.

Both jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins are world class at what they do but it is when they combine their individual talents that they become unbeatable.

The Cheltenham festival is a case in point. On the opening day alone, Walsh and Mullins scored a hat-trick of winners.

When we think of athletes like Roy Keane and Sonia O’Sullivan we often focus on their achievements without giving due weight to those who helped them get there.

Despite their later differences, Roy Keane thrived under the direction of Alex Ferguson while O’Sullivan is now passing on her knowledge to younger athletes.

Willie Mullins is as much an Irish sporting hero as Ruby Walsh and – being the gentleman he is – Walsh would be the first to agree.