Widespread sadness at death of popular racing journalist Dave Cronin

THE country’s horse racing and greyhound communities haveexpressed their profound shock and sadness at the sudden death yesterday of Evening Echo racing editor Dave Cronin.

One of the sport’s leading tipsters, Dave previously worked on theracing desk of the Irish Examiner. He was 51 and married with two teenage children.

Why was he so popular within the industry and amongst his work colleagues? A marvellously droll sense of humour for one, he was good company at the racetrack or in the newsroom, however tight to deadline it became. Working on racecards and tips for an evening newspaper is a fraught business at the best of times, but Dave’spatience never waned — nor did the quality of his work.