RTE viewers were full of praise for Bryan Cooper as he appeared on Friday's Late Late Show to discuss his retirement.
Cooper made the shock announcement last month that he was retiring from racing at the age of 30 after a decorated career.
The Tralee jockey retired with over 500 winners and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in 2016.
But Cooper opted to retire and sat down with Ryan Tubridy to discuss his retirement and how he decided to quit on the Wednesday morning of Cheltenham.
He told Ryan: "My alarm went off at 7.30 to go and I woke up and I said I can't do this.
"I panicked and I text the head girl who works for Noel Meade and said my ribs are sore and said I won't be there to ride out.
"For weeks up to Cheltenham everyone is excited for it but I was looking forward to the flight home and getting out of there and getting home and not having to deal with it.
"It was silly the way I did it but it was just panic stations. I had half an hour and my sister arrived up to the room and she tore me in two and I sat up in the bed and I just broke into tears and I said 'I can't do this anymore, I'm finished'.
"I rang my agent and he said there are two people you have to ring here you ring your dad and you ring Noel Meade and leave me deal with the rest.
"And after ringing Noel Meade and hanging up five times working up the courage to tell him I was disappointed thinking I had let them down but as soon as I made them two phonecalls it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders, they were so supportive."
And viewers were full of praise for Cooper with one person saying: "Always admired @92bryan92 as a jockey, even moreso for being vulnerable with his honesty about deciding to retire. Totally understandable how tough injuries & seeing worse happen to other jockeys close by would really impact you mentally. Best wishes for the future Bryan #latelate."
While another said: "What a career for Bryan Cooper, a gentleman."
While another said: "Good to hear Bryan Cooper's story. Few think about the lows in racing. Bryan has been through it all with the ups and downs. Thankfully he's had some incredible days and winners. He can walk away with his head held high, no matter what any clown says."
And another said: "Well done Bryan, enjoy the retirement."
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