THERE WAS A ripple of applause when Colman Comerford led Honeysuckle from the pre-parade ring into the parade ring at Leopardstown yesterday. You rarely get that, applause for a racehorse upon entry to the parade ring. But Honeysuckle is a rare commodity.
She didn’t flinch. Had a little look to her left, a hat-tip to the reception. Literally took it all in her stride.
They packed deep around the parade ring, four or five deep at the thin end, 10 or 12 at the thick end. There was a localised cheer when Henry de Bromhead legged Rachael Blackmore up and the rider sprang nimbly and lightly into the saddle. It was a moment to savour, a privilege to be there, present with a crowd who appreciated this remarkable racemare, the depth of all she has achieved on her remarkable journey.
The sense of anticipation grew. The hum, the noise. “Did you see her?” You couldn’t be sure if the reference was to horse or rider. And that anticipation broke out into spontaneous cheers and more applause as Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore made their way up the all-weather strip that runs in front of the grandstand and wends its way down to the two-mile start.
It was a big ask. Everybody knew that. Honeysuckle had experienced defeat for the first time in her life on her previous run, in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December. But that was her seasonal debut, and it was two and a half miles on soft ground. Back at Leopardstown, back on better ground, back over two miles with her first run of the season under her belt, there was every chance that she would be able to step forward again.
In Vauban and State Man in particular, however, she faced two worthy opponents yesterday, two younger opponents. Winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last March, State Man had won the Morgiana Hurdle and the Matheson Hurdle this season already, and his stable companion Vauban had chased him home in the latter on his seasonal debut.
They made State Man favourite yesterday. He was only marginally shorter in the market than Honeysuckle, 6/5 and 11/8 respectively, but even so, it was only the second time in her life that Henry de Bromhead’s mare wasn’t sent off as favourite, and the first time since she beat Benie Des Dieux in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2020.
They cheered when the starter said go too, State Man in front, Honeysuckle moving up on his shoulder as they jumped the third flight and wheeled around into the back straight. Honeysuckle stumbled a little on landing over the third last flight, and there was a collective intake of breath from the stands as she did, but she was quickly back on an even keel, equilibrium restored under her motionless rider.
As they squared up to the second last flight, State Man was about three parts of a length in front of a niggled-along Honeysuckle. They both jumped the second last well but, as soon as they landed, Honeysuckle came under a ride as Paul Townend still sat still on the leader.
From there, it was more hope than expectation. Paul Townend gave State Man a squeeze and he quickened around the home turn, quickly putting two lengths between himself and his pursuer. Honeysuckle tried to bridge the gap but State Man was just too good. He flew the final flight and kept on strongly up the run-in to pull almost five lengths clear, as Honeysuckle bravely hung onto the runner-up spot, just a half a length in front of Vauban.
The reception that she got when she came back in too, it was heart-warming. Into the runner-up’s spot, she and Rachael Blackmore, where her trainer Henry de Bromhead and her owner Kenny Alexander waited, along with the many assembled media members.
What next, they asked, but yesterday at Leopardstown wasn’t the time nor the place for what next. It was a time to allow the public appreciate her for what she is, one of the best hurdlers of recent times, one of the most popular racehorses of the modern era, 16-time winner, dual Champion Hurdle winner, three-time Irish Champion Hurdle winner. Her career has been meticulously managed by Henry de Bromhead, produced at concert pitch every time she has raced, and expertly ridden in every single one of those hurdle races by Rachael Blackmore.
Three options now: Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham or Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham or neither. You know that Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore and Kenny Alexander and Peter Molony will take everything into account before deciding. Whatever they decide and whenever it ends, it has been some journey.
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Very sad. Could be pushing 100 caps at 28 had it not been for some awful injuries. Few players will ever make the same impact straight out of school. Best of luck!
Best of luck in the future Luke. no one can ever say you ever gave up. Such a pity and what a waste.
It is easy to forget, after all of the injuries, aborted comebacks and finally early retirement, just quite how good Fitzgerald was when he burst onto the scene.
He went straight from school into the Leinster team – the last player to do that, I think. He was only 19 when he made his Leinster debut, and was playing for Ireland within two months – the youngest player to be capped in 29 years. By 22 he was a Lions starter. In retrospect, that may have been the peak of his career.
The footwork, the change of direction, the quick hands, the strong defence, the acceleration, the instincts – in the early days at least, it was all more than a little reminiscent of another Blackrock College back. I always felt that Fitzgerald’s best position would have been 13, but he really didn’t get to play there that often (mostly because of O’Driscoll). Nonetheless, wing, centre, full back – he so often excelled where ever he played. It is hard to escape the feeling that we never really saw Fitzgerald fulfil his potential – he had the talent and physical attributes to have been a great. Sadly, injuries prevented that.
Whilst it seems of late that Luke has been constantly injured it is pretty remarkable that, despite retiring at 29, he has played for Leinster for 10 seasons.
154 Leinster caps, 34 for Ireland, 1 for the Lions. 3 H Cups, 1 Euro Challenge Cup, 3 Pro 12s ,1 Grand Slam, 1 6N, 1 Lions tour. Not a bad career at all. Good luck Luke, and thanks for some great days.
(* he has also played for Ireland for 10 seasons)
He still made Ma Nonu look average last December at 13 , huge loss
Agreed, Martin. It’s a blow for Ireland, and a major problem for Leinster. Shame for the lad, of course.
Absolutely world class player that got the short straw in the injury department. I wish him well in retirement.
Never got a break from injury , joins a list of retiring players that just seems to get longer
Best of luck to him whatever he does
Well its not going to get shorter is it?
Pmsl
Well done Luke on an amazing career and an amount of resolve most of us wouldn’t have put up with. Best of luck for the future.
That’s absolutely heart breaking.
He was a class act but the last few years must have been tough, good luck to him.
He’s a top notch player that’s bloody unlucky when it comes to injury. It’s the correct decision for his own health.
When he was fit, he was dynamic…always looked dangerous looking to bust thru defences..sorry to hear the news…great player..
The lad had been putting in extra hours of pre-warm up and cool down just to be in an position to train at the same level of others. That’s a level of dedication most of us will never know in our careers. Such a pity we never got a sustained period of uninterrupted brilliance out of him. Wish him well in his future career.
Was absolutely brilliant in 2009 when he was a key member of the successful Leinster and Ireland teams and started for the Lions. Never got a break with injuries and bad luck.
A fit luke was a top class player…massive loss…
Genuinely sad to hear this, even if it was on the cards. A prodigious talent never fully realised due to awful luck. If the guy puts as much effort into his post rugby life as he did to this point I have no doubt he’ll be successful. Thanks for all your efforts in green and blue Luke.
Best wishes Luke
His dad was my childhood hero, and I had hoped Luke would be up there with the all time greats, and surpass his dad’s cap tally. They’ve both achieved 34 in the end. Sad day. Best of luck with your future Luke
It’s bizarre how some lads like Luke get injury after injury after injury yet others like Jamie have never been injured – is it technique ? Is it physiological make-up? Is it just bad luck ? ….. Hopefully someone somewhere is doing some research on it
I read somewhere that Heaslip has been studied. One outcome was that he has a high natural level of testosterone. Its interesting how small differences in DNA makeup can lead to major advantages in sport.
Heaslip is a bit of a freak of nature, but he is also exceptionally dedicated to keeping himself fit, and also supple. There was a great interview with him on here two years ago: http://www.the42.ie/jamie-heaslip-injury-prevention-1335756-Mar2014/
So, while Cian Healy and Stephen Ferris competed to see who could lift more, Heaslip was quietly doing his stretches for a couple of hours per day. Might be a lesson in that for Healy, in particular, who looks so muscular that he can hardly run.
I think its a combination of many factors, and a massive dose of bad luck.
Personally I have found that one injury tends to breed more injuries, as imbalances are created and compensation issues occur throughout the body.
Other factors include genetics, however those with sub-optimal genetics or any kind of compromised physical makeup will be weeded out through the rugby system, and will never make it near international level.
Theres also playing style, Lukes running style is very aggressive with hard changes in direction I’m sure that would place massive forces on knee hip etc.
On the testosterone comment you’d be hard pressed to find any player in the squad without a naturally higher level, at elite pro level if you have anything less it will show up pretty quick in your rate of recovery.
I assume he was being compared to other Leinster and Irish players not us mere average types.
Fantastic player. Sad to see him go. Thanks Lukey!
Wow. Hard to believe this. Probably one of the most gifted players to ever pull on a green jersey. However we will never realise just how good he could have been as injury took him down every time he started showing his potential. Devastated for him but he does need to think of number 1 and look after his body from here on. Best of luck in the future Luke.
F*ck.
A top player will always be missed. I hope whatever the medical reason for retirement does not effect his life off the field or has any long term ills.
Best of luck hope you will enjoy live, Munster man will miss you on and off the field Luke even
A shame but understandable with all his injuries. An incredibly gifted young player when he broke on the scene in 2009 and his part in the grand slam will never be forgotten.
Wow – even Rochelle has nice things to say about Luke. Speaks volumes, that.
Terrible news. Be it for the long list of injuries Luke has had, he would have been one of Ireland’s most capped players. It’s a harsh reminder of the nature of this sport when two young lads like Fitzgerald and Felix Jones have to retire before the age of 30.
Gutted for him. A brilliant player who achieved so much at the start of his career with Leinster, Ireland and the Lions. Such a pity he was cut down in his prime and we’ll never know what could have been. Admire him greatly for his dedication in coming back from a litany of injuries. Best of luck to him in the future.
Go well Lukey. Dazzling player always, happy to see you retire before a serious one. It’s only sport. I can’t wait to see what you do next!!
Thanks for the service Luke, exceptional talent cruelly robbed by the rigours of the game.
On a par with Messi retiring from international football
Ya, because Messi is what, the 128th best player in the world?
Lads. Please, time and a place. Have some respect.
Piotrek Troll you are a total knob#
Ireland were noticeably better when he came on against Argentina. A great player and a huge loss to Leinster and Ireland.
A legend on and off the pitch!
World class player never got a break from injury he was brilliant against Argentina in his last match for Ireland
Sad news. Fitzgerald was capable of really stepping up on the big occasions. Along with David Wallace, he was a level above every other Irish player at home to NZ in 2008, and turned in a world class performance against Argentina last year. Big loss for Leinster
Never reached his potential, if he looked after himself better he could have been top drawer
He looked after himself more than most. He showed a level of dedication and discipline that most others would never need to.
Don’t think there are many workout programs that prevent knee ligament damage or neck injuries. Getting 34 caps for your country on top of playing for your province and the lions is a hell of a lot more than I’ll ever do, never mind before I get to 29.
I’m sure you are at the top of your game Pete in whatever mid level job you are in, if any…
Well you’re definitely a Chief Plonker there Oisin
Terrible news but as the injuries piled up it was probably inevitable this wud happen..great career,even though it was short..will go down as one of leinster and Ireland’s great wingers..always gave 100%..best of luck in the future
Fantastic player big loss to rugby
Really feel sorry for Lukey, would have been one of our greatest players had he not been plagued by injury. Never got to see his full potential. Good luck in whatever you now do, perhaps Punditry.. you were great last Sat on Sky.
An absolute warrior and gentleman on and off the pitch etc …gutted etc…
Honestly with injury I feel he has just acted as a pr agent/player for the IRFU. I won’t miss him.
Nobend
Could have become a legend up there with the rest of them if he wasn’t so unlucky with injuries. Sad end to his career, but I wish him every luck in the future
Arguably the most talented/dynamic back not named Brian O’Driscoll to play for Ireland in the last 10 years. Reminiscent of Ferris retirement two years to the day, with Fitzgerald gone we can only hope O’Brien can make a comeback because his career is facing a similar trajectory right now.
28? Amazing how these guys age so fast. bod looks about 60 now
@ken and how do you prefer your guys to age?