Cleary sidelined after nasty fall

THE Athlone jockey Rory Cleary could be sidelined for up to a week or more following a nasty fall at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The Carrickobrien native had been riding Patty Paige in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden when his mount unseated the rider and hampering several other runners.

Rory was attended to by medical staff for several minutes before being taken for checks at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. Any fears that Cleary might have sustained a more serious injury were allayed when he was reported to be speaking to medical staff despite suffering some pain.

Cleary has been stood down for a period of six days but should make a swift return to action. Cleary had achieved a second place finish in the Ballaghaderreen Handicap at last Tuesday’s Roscommon Races races meet on Smoke Charger.