Standout 21st for Donal

Donal Ahern, Ballynoe, made it a 21st birthday to remember at Cork Racecourse Mallow last Saturday. Donal, a keen student of horse pedigrees, presented the winning trophy to Frank Berry, on behalf of JP McManus, after Concordin, trained by Robert Tyner, romped home in the 2m 4f Handicap Chase. Donal, a 3rd year UCC psychology student, is an avid race goer, is St Catherines GAA number one supporter and is also a lover of rugby. (Patrick McCann/Racing Post)

Donal Ahern from Ballynoe celebrated his 21st birthday in style at Cork Racecourse in Mallow recently when he got the opportunity to make the trophy presentation to the winner of the second last race. 

The young St Catherines supporter enjoys a good race meeting and so, for his 21st birthday, his family took him to Mallow Racecourse.

Luckily for Donal, he has a family connection to Jimmy Mangan and the Monty’s Pass trainer made some enquiries and suddenly Donal found himself presenting the glassware to a representative of JP McManus.

“It was really good fun,” Donal told The Avondhu. “I go to the races often and it was fun to be presenting the prize.”