Matt O Connor seriously injured in a fall at Thurles

NewApproach

racingpost.com wrote:

MATT O'CONNOR, stable jockey to Colm Murphy, was last night in hospital with a serious head injury having been knocked unconscious in a fall at Thurles on Thursday.

The jockey fell five out on Walkin Aisy in the beginners' chase and immediately lost consciousness.

He was sent to hospital in Clonmel where he underwent a Cat scan before being transferred to Cork's university hospital to undergo further tests.

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer of the Turf Club, said at 8pm on Thursday night: "Matt has a serious head injury. He has had some scans and is having more detailed ones.

"He has been ventilated and is being transferred from Clonmel to the neuro-surgical unit in Cork University Hospital."

O'Connor, who is known as 'Strawberry', has ridden 31 jumps winners plus a further four on the Flat with his biggest success coming on board Big Zeb in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown over Christmas.

His last winner came at Down Royal on the Leonard Whitmore-trained Casey Supreme on March 17. Four days earlier he finished second in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle on 100-1 chance Midnight Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Hope he pulls through. Terrible time for him and his family.

easyeason3

Hoping he will be ok. My thoughts are with him & his family.

TomD101

Terrible news. Hope he pulls through.

finbarrk

Still in a serious condition unfortunatley.

http://www.irishracing.com/

Whyno

Still in serious condition but they not going to operate which is a good sign. Hes a hardy lil man so fingers crossed.
(my info came from a mate o his)

It was a horrible fall.....He was catapulted to the ground.Frigthenin how these guys can ever get up after this.

fr wishy washy

Update

---

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer of the Turf Club, added: "He went into intensive care in Cork at around 8.30am this morning and he had a very good night.



"He's stable and the fact that he had a good night is certainly very positive.



"He was unconscious immediately after he had the fall and he had a brain scan that showed there were no major haemorrhages in the brain so he doesn't require surgery, although obviously there is some bruising.


"He's in a medically induced coma, really to keep the brain rested. It's still early days."

Colonel Sanders

I've been away with work for a while and only heard about this this morning

Hopefully the update is accurate and he will be ok.

fr wishy washy

today...


Quote:
"I spoke to Caroline, Matt's mother, over the weekend and the situation is that he is stable," said Dr Walter Halley, former chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club and a member of the jockey's family.

"The observation and ongoing tests are satisfactory, which is good news.

"They would hope within the next 48 hours to reduce his sedation - but that will depend on the results from the ongoing tests.

"He is in a medically-induced coma, which is normal procedure, and the situation is being continually monitored.

"He is still seriously ill, but it has been a positive 48 hours

suzii

these jockeys put their lives on d line evry day to fulfill their dreams of doin wat dey luv 2 do..they r a credit 2 themselves and any1 hu luvs d sport..
Get Well Soon Matthew..

WHIP IT!

suzii wrote: »

these jockeys put their lives on d line evry day to fulfill their dreams of doin wat dey luv 2 do..they r a credit 2 themselves and any1 hu luvs d sport..
Get Well Soon Matthew..

Are boards charging by the letter now?

fr wishy washy

05 Apr 14:24


DR WALTER Halley, a member of the Turf Club's medical team and spokesman for the family of Matt O'Connor, reported on Sunday a "huge improvement" in the condition of the 21-year-old jockey who suffered serioushead injuries in a fall at Thurles on March 26.

Dr Halley said: "Matt has been weaned off the medical induced coma he was in following his injuries. He is off the ventilator and breathing without assistance. He is wearing an oxygen mask which is normal procedure.

"He has full movement of his upper and lower limbs and is obeying any instructions he has been given by the hospital medical team.

"He will continue to be monitored by the team in Cork University Hospital for some time, but the news I'm in a position to give you today represents a huge improvement in Matt's condition and is a huge relief for his family."

Dr Halley added: "Matt's family are very appreciative of all the cards and messages that they have received

countesshouse

What a relief it must be for Matts family and Matt himself. I took a look at Go Racing Ireland earlier this morning but there was no update on his condition and i am glad i tapped into Boards.ie at least you will get update news and great posts.:)

convert

Reports today are that O' Connor is out of his medically enduced coma and is off the ventilator and breathing on his own. It's reported that he has movement of all his limbs, which, hopefully is accurate and great news.

Cantoris

Yes - great news. I beleive he is communicating too and has recevied limited number of visitors. So looking much better now.

Whyno

Great stuff...

fr wishy washy

O'CONNOR OUT OF INTENSIVE CARE
Jockey Matt O'Connor has been moved from out of intensive care as he continues
to recover from a fall at Thurles in March.
Colm Murphy's conditional rider was knocked unconscious after his mount, Walkin
Aisy, fell at the fifth-last fence of the Templemore Beginners Chase.
He has since remained in hospital.
Dr Walter Halley, former chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club and a
member of the jockey's family, said: ``I was talking to his parents this
morning
and he is in good form.
``He is now out of intensive care and things are going the right way.
``The O'Connor family wanted me to pass on their thanks to everyone who has
phoned and sent letters.
``Visiting is still limited

Miss Tequila

good to hear

fr wishy washy

21 Apr 13:45


MATT O'CONNOR was on Tuesday given a further positive bulletin from Dr Walter Halley of the Turf Club medical team.

The Wexford rider was knocked unconscious after his mount, Walkin Aisy, fell five out in a beginners chase at Thurles last month.

Since regaining consciousness and leaving the intensive care unit of Cork University Hospital earlier this month, O’Connor has made good progress.

“He continues to improve and he was out for lunch with his family on Sunday last which was good to hear,” said Dr Halley on Tuesday afternoon. “Matt is mobile and is currently undergoing physiotherapy which is normal for someone at his stage of recovery, so things are certainly going the right way.”

dundalkbhoy

excellent news and best wishes to matt on a speedy recovery.

minty16

Good news. Still doesn't get me my 500 blips back for when he sat up on Bog Zeb approaching the last at Punchestown (i think) a while back.

dundalkbhoy

minty16 wrote: »

Good news. Still doesn't get me my 500 blips back for when he sat up on Bog Zeb approaching the last at Punchestown (i think) a while back.

a jockeys well being or 500 euros

kingshankly

minty16 wrote: »

Good news. Still doesn't get me my 500 blips back for when he sat up on Bog Zeb approaching the last at Punchestown (i think) a while back.

It's called gambling

Cantoris

minty16 wrote: »

Still doesn't get me my 500 blips back for when he sat up on Bog Zeb approaching the last at Punchestown (i think) a while back.

It amazes me how people can still think through their pocket, even when offering sympathy.Good news followed by a dig. Lovely.

fr wishy washy

minty16 wrote: »

Good news. Still doesn't get me my 500 blips back for when he sat up on Bog Zeb approaching the last at Punchestown (i think) a while back.

I hope that's a bad fishing expedition minty16 (your age?),if not, this game/sport is not for you.


Shameful "contribution" to a thread wishing good on a young lad battling a serious head injury.:mad:

Healio

fr wishy washy wrote: »

I hope that's a bad fishing expedition minty16 (your age?),if not, this game/sport is not for you.


Shameful "contribution" to a thread wishing good on a young lad battling a serious head injury.:mad:

Has to be considering the horse is named wrong and he doesnt know where it ran. And also the fact Matt only rode it twice and had a win and a fall.

conZ

Karma will get him.

slapbangwhallop

Hope the guy is OK. He's such a brave rider.

convert

minty16 wrote: »

Good news. Still doesn't get me my 500 blips back for when he sat up on Bog Zeb approaching the last at Punchestown (i think) a while back.

Not only are your comments exceptionally ill-thought out, inconsiderate and unsuitable for a thread like this, you can't even get the horse's name or your facts correct! No wonder you lost your cash!!!!

Colonel Sanders

Posted on betfair forum at 22.39 today

Great to see Matt being discharged from the National Rehab Centre in Dun Laoire today. Seems to be well on the way back to full health and looking forward to getting back in the saddle. Well done Strawberry, keep the spirits up and you will achieve those ambitions!

finbarrk

Ah, thats great to hear.

aidan24326

There was a piece on tv about him last night, might have been the RTE sports news I think. They showed the facilities he had for rehab out in Dun Laoighaire, he said the work they've done for him out there was smashing. Seems to have made more or less a full recovery and he hopes to be back riding out horses soon. They showed his fall aswell, I didn't see it at the time. Very nasty and he's lucky the damage wasn't worse, could have broken his neck. The ever-present risk for a jockey.

fr wishy washy

O'Connor set for return
Thu, 8th Oct, 2009

Matt O'Connor, out of action since suffering head injuries in March, has been cleared to return to race riding.

O'Connor spent several weeks in intensive care after a heavy fall from Walkin Aisy at Thurles.


His long road to recovery is near an end as the conditional bids to get his career back on track.


In other injury news Niall Madden, who underwent surgery for broken bones in his arm, is set to return to action at Punchestown next Wednesday.