O'Connor stable after Thurles fall

Matt O’Connor remains in a stable condition at Cork University Hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a fall at Thurles on Thursday.

The conditional rider, who is attached to Colm Murphy’s stable, came to grief aboard Walkin Aisy at the fifth-last fence of the Templemore Beginners Chase.

Knocked unconscious from the fall, O’Connor is in a medically-induced coma in the hospital’s neuro-surgical unit.

“I spoke to Caroline, Matt’s mother, over the weekend and the situation is that he is stable,” said Dr Walter Halley, former chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club and a member of the jockey’s family.

“The observation and ongoing tests are satisfactory, which is good news.

“They would hope within the next 48 hours to reduce his sedation – but that will depend on the results from the ongoing tests.

“He is in a medically-induced coma, which is normal procedure, and the situation is being continually monitored.

“He is still seriously ill, but it has been a positive 48 hours.”