RACING
One of the biggest stories that broke this weekend is the Gordon Elliot photo which emerged showing him sitting on top of a dead horse.
Elliott is being investigated by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and says he is cooperating with that investigation.
He confirmed the photo's legitimacy in a statement last night and moved to "provide people with some context" as to how it was taken.
The trainer says the image was taken some time ago and came after the sudden death of one of his horses on the gallops.
Gigginstown House Stud owner Michael O'Leary says he is "deeply disappointed" by the photo.
In a statement this afternoon, the businessman says the "care and welfare of all our animals comes first" but that he accepts Elliott's apology and will "continue to support him".
O'Leary and Gigginstown have enjoyed a number of high-profile victories with Elliott, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Don Cossack and two Grand Nationals with Tiger Roll.
Racing Journalist Daragh Ó́Conchúir was on the phone with Nigel this morning to dissect what it means for racing.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/55Yt2zR1gobb5RnkFnx3ta?si=4sj3qlVUTQGEM7E2HGV0QQ
WRC
Waterfords Craig Breen was back in action on the WRC stage this past weekend at the Artic Rally Finland. Fighting at the top of the leaderboard across 9 stages, the Slieverue native just missed out on a podium place, finishing up 4th, behind Ott Tanak, Kalle Rovenpera and Theirry Neuville.
A fourth-place finish at #ArcticRallyFinland for @Craig_Breen and @paulnagle1 in their first #WRC outing since last September#WLRSport with @VirginMediaIE pic.twitter.com/GAIZB97TWW
— WLR (@wlrfm) March 1, 2021
Motorsport Journalist Declan Quigley joined Nigel after Breen completed his run to chat about his performance, where Breen stands on the Irish sporting landscape and what is up next for the Slieverue driver.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dNG2CZL4gPGNs8TmYiwHN?si=6yEkQVViTpOXy9bN0eBFHQ
You can also listen to Craig, who was chatting before the rally got underway.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3I8RxMGpnjHsZqZpn1lJHQ?si=mcrReWs2QAK4Vb2wBoelHg
GAA
Elsewhere, the GAA held their 2021 congress remotely with several motions voted in, including the introduction of a black card and penalty for cynical play, the removal of the Maor Foirne's permission to enter the field of play, the introduction of a concussion sub to allow teams assess suspected concussions as well as a split season that moves the All-Ireland finals to July.
Former Waterford hurler and three-time All-Star Dan Shanahan joined to talk about all the change that will be coming in starting this year.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WgSrUZto33kBxJTXep1mJ?si=8fR-UORfQxSfQmJgbyo6ag
RUGBY
On Friday night, Munster notched another win in the PRO14 with a 20-11 victory over Cardiff Blues. Dungarvan's Steven McMahon joined Nigel to look back on a solid win for the men in red.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bXQq051RZbLNXgFDLSn1x?si=YnSL_5K7SkqPbgEKFdVcIw
For your full recap on last weekend's sport, check out On The Ball from Saturday February 27th.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FQmUIocaO9Oxwzri9YBx3?si=nBi0g-H2Q3CRa0GItmouTw
