Popular racing reporter and 'tremendous character' Cliff Noone dies at the age of 70

Cliff Noone, a hugely popular member of the Irish press room, has died at the age of 70 with Racing TV presenter Gary O'Brien hailing him a "tremendous character".

A native of Killester in Dublin before moving to Naas, Noone was a larger-than-life character who spent 30 working as a journalist for the Irish Field and was their senior racing reporter before he retired from the role in 2003.

He was appointed press officer for the Turf Club, now the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, in June 2003 and held the position for 15 years.

Noone will be fondly remembered by those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He put smiles on faces everywhere he went with his quick wit and warmth.

O'Brien said: "Cliff was a tremendous character and always up for a laugh. He will be sadly missed."

Former Racing Post senior reporter and RTE commentator Tony O'Hehir spent decades working alongside Noone and he paid tribute to his wonderful personality.

O'Hehir said: "Cliff was a great character all hours of the day and night. He relished the various different festivals down in Kerry, be it Killarney, Listowel or Tralee, and always ran up to his rating! I went on holiday with him to the Canary Islands in 1998 and I have never laughed as much in my whole life. He was one of a kind and had time for everyone."

The funeral details for Noone, who suffered a sudden health setback days before his death, have yet to be released.

Read these next:

'It could be three months. It could be three years' - Frankie Dettori cancels retirement plan and will move to America 

Grand National field size reduced to 34 as Aintree unveils major changes to big race 

Barry Connell rules Good Land out for the season after Grade 1-winning novice sustains tendon injury

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.