Mullins thrilled to take Overall award
Patrick Mullins )Carlow Sportsperson Of the Year) with members of the Closutton team - Dick Dowling, David Porter, Aimee Morrissey, Katie Murphy, Mark Rapple, Donal Redmond and Mary-Claire Dowling Pic:© Michael O'Rourke Photography 2026
“It is a huge honour. It is really appreciated,” said Patrick Mullins expressing surprise when it was announced he had won the Carlow Nationalist Sports Person of the Year award.
“I am absolutely shocked. When you see the procession of talent which has come up here today. What Padraig Amond has done in his career, watching Mikey Bambrick with Old Leighlin this year. Incredible,” said the amateur jockey who won his first ever Aintree Grand National on Nick Rockett in April. There is a deep bond between the Mullins and Amond families.
Elizabeth (née Bolton) Amond, who passed away in July, worked in Closutton for what seemed a lifetime.
“She was my second Mammy. She came when I was six weeks old and left when I was 30,” said Patrick.
The success of Willie Mullins and his Closutton team had also been recognised with the Carlow International Sports Award. Patrick remembers when a key member of the current staff was hired.
“You saw our team up here. I remember when Dick Dowling came down. I was 10 or 11 at the time. I remember my mother and father talking at the kitchen table. It was like a football club signing a big player. We were getting the headman down from Jim Bolgers (yard). Having people there like Dick and Dave Porter, that is the secret sauce,” explained Patrick.
MC Brendan Hennessy asked the award winner about what was going through his mind in those final metres as he rode Nick Rockett to Grand National success.
“Usually you can’t hear the crowd or the commentary. Meeting of the Waters were the only words I could hear from the commentator. I was really annoyed because Danny (Mullins) was riding him. I was thinking 'please don’t let Danny beat me',” he recalled.
“I have seen so many horses...it is a long way from the elbow and they get caught on the line. Sometimes you know you are going to win and you can enjoy it. In the last few yards here, I was going please don’t take this away from me now. Anyway we got over the line.”
The Aintree winner had only one regret. Maureen Mullins passed away almost two years ago.
“It was a pity my grandmother wasn’t there. She was a magnificent woman.”
