Journalist McElroy bows out next month Racing journalist Damian McElroy is to retire at the end of next month after an illustrious 45 year career with Independent newspapers. “It's been a pleasure to get paid for doing my hobby,” said McElroy, whose press room colleagues made a presentation to him at Leopardstown this afternoon. Naas based McElroy started off in the 1960's as a junior reporter with the Independent covering a variety of sports including GAA, rugby and golf. Jump racing has always held a particular fondness for the amiable scribe, and he pin-points the likes of Moscow Flyer, Istabraq and Danoli as particular favourites. McElroy, whose father Billy served 50 years with the Independent from 1925-75, also enjoyed success as an owner with the Michael Cunningham-trained Distress.
